The Arbitrary “Interests of the United States”

Most people and even many serious analysts seem to assume that the concept of “national interest” or “the interests of the United States” has an obviously ascertainable meaning. (“The United States” can be replaced by the name of any country.) This concept is central to the arguments of foreign policy “realists”—for example political scientist William Ruger in his article “Ideals or Interests?” in Law and Liberty (July 26, 2024). Dr. Ruger argues for the importance of the national interest as a realistic guide...