Foreign policy has been a major point of contention between Republicans and Democrats ever since the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. But with Ukraine bringing foreign policy back to the public eye, it is important to analyze the position global strategy will play in the upcoming 2024 election.
For some context, the US is currently aiding Ukraine through two different outlets: sanctioning Russia and sending Ukraine old American weaponry. The Biden administration is keen on increasing military aid to stop Russian hegemony in Eurasia whereas Republicans are taking a diplomatic perspective. Major Republican candidates DeSantis and Trump both campaign for a ceasefire with no winners or losers.
Most existing voters will vote based on other determining factors like who their friends and family are voting for, which party they traditionally support, or even the character of the candidate. But many independent and new voters will look to policy and current events. Domestic issues such as abortion and gun laws will write ballots, but Ukraine will still be at the front of voter conscience.
The issue of Ukraine reveals a disgruntling fact haunting two-party democracies, that most of everybody knows, yet fails to recognize.
Peering back to 2016, the Democratic and Republican perspective on foreign policy was similar. The Red view was that of a more extreme Bush era, pressing for more intervention in the middle east, whereas Democrats were fine with the status quo. So then why is it that in today’s geopolitical landscape, Republicans have completely pivoted away from their own opinions on promoting democracy and would allow Ukraine to be left up to Russia?
They don’t actually care.
As the split between red and blue grows wider and wider, we must recognize that politics is no longer solely about collectively working as a polis to solve domestic issues, further democracy, and preserve American hegemony. It is easier for politicians and policy creators to take a completely opposing viewpoint on key issues to avoid overlap with the other party, even if all parties recognize that one perspective is clearly better than the other. Instead of having to create a better plan than the opposition, switching sides entirely allow for new talking points to use in campaigns that attract ignorant voters while putting together a BS plan to address the issue.
We can see this right now with both Trump and DeSantis taking a “neutral” perspective view on the Ukraine situation, shifting voter biases to buy into their “diplomatic” scenario. This plan looks perfect on paper, however, it would most likely mean bidding to Russian demands. Putin treats his image like his life force; he would never agree to a peace deal where nobody wins, he has to gain something. Putin has to win the war, so he will only cease fighting once the terms fit his desires. If Trump and DeSantis really vow to end the war diplomatically, Russian appeasement is inevitable. This is as clear as day for most who just peer a little bit deeper into the Russian psyche—the Republican politicians definitely know their own plan is atrocious.
Parties don’t actually have any political direction or obligations anymore. They buy into Socrates’ view on democracy stating how the average voter does not educate themselves on real policies and instead votes based on campaigning. Parties will switch sides on an issue that both parties agree on, to avoid good policymaking and instead just use their new “perspective” as another way to diss their opposition on the surface level.
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