The Monroe Doctrine's influence still exist today? If so, in what ways

does it affect foreign policy? What role does the Monroe Doctrine play in the War on Terror?

For most of the American history, the isolationist tendency prevailed in its foreign policy. In its early years, American foreign policy was in fact a reflection of the American national interest, namely to fortify the new nation's independence. With the European continent torn apart by the great powers' rivalry, the American nation could develop at its own pace, without any major external threat. Therefore the nonalignment practice, the isolationism, the constant effort to remain free of entanglements overseas became characteristic features of the early American foreign policy (Kissinger, 10-12). The step forward in strengthening this view was made in 1823, when the Monroe Doctrine was proclaimed, a political decision basically stating that further European action on the American continent will be interpreted as an intervention and a threat for the new nation's stability. Surprisingly accepted without much of a revolt by the European powers, the new doctrine defended America and assured an uninterrupted pursue of its goal: growing internally and turning itself into a Great Power, with the formidable advantage of not being threatened by state rivalry