An Introduction to National Security - Changing Global Dynamics: The United States As A Global Leader

To understand national security, it is necessary to consider a country's policies within the context of its history, ideology, and existing political governance. As societies and states continue to evolve, so do the relationships between them. Each generation sees a new set of global conflicts and political alliances, as well as shifts in interstate dynamics.

The twentieth century witnessed a host of political phenomena, such as the fall of colonialism, the rise of capitalist economies, the growth of industry, growing concern for human rights, and the spread of nuclear weapons. All countries, including the United States, were challenged to adapt and modify their policies in response to shifts in global power. Until 1991 much of the globe was involved in the cold war, which divided the world along ideological lines. Many countries found themselves allying with either the Soviet or U.S.-led blocs, though others remained nonaligned.

The world in the early twenty-first century is very different from what it was even just a few decades ago. The United States is a leading superpower both in economic and military might. The economic, social, cultural, and military trends that accompany globalization (the increasing integration of world markets for goods, services, and capital that transcend national borders) have influenced the United States to adopt policies that strengthen its position as a global leader. This global presence and preeminence is a double-edged sword—it creates opportunities for the U.S. domestically and abroad and also incites conflicts, threatening national security by rendering the United States and its allies targets. It also pressures the United States to stretch, and possibly even overextend, its military forces.