Distinguished academics participated in a panel discussion of President Donald Trump’s Foreign Policy on Wednesday, Oct. 1. They offered insight on geopolitical history and the future of the international political system as they answered questions from moderators and students.
Panelists included Alexander Cooley who teaches political science at Barnard College and Daniel Nexon, a professor of government and foreign service at Georgetown University.
Prior to Trump returning to office, Cooley and Nexon co-authored an article published in Foreign Affairs Magazine titled “Trump’s Antiliberal Order.”
The article outlined what they believe is detrimental about Trump’s “America First” strategy as well as the actions he will take to dismantle previous administrations’ foreign policy programs and initiatives. Many of the topics in the article were brought up in the panel discussion.
To begin the discussion, Nexon addressed the audience and encouraged those who disagreed with their viewpoints to stand up and say it. He wanted there to be push back and to allow viewpoints differing from their own to be heard at this discussion.
Both speakers highlighted the historical significance of the fall of the Soviet Union and how it left the United States as the world’s sole global super power. This changed the international system and allowed for the U.S. to be at the center of the world stage. Cooley and Nexon acknowledged that the U.S. has been at the top for so long, and that it cannot last forever.
Cooley and Nexon then discussed China and Russia’s challenge to the international system. Their influence and power have been rising for decades. They spoke about how the next 15 years are pivotal in how the new world order is structured.
Additionally, the panelists detailed the ways in which Trump’s current administration is handling foreign policy and the international system drastically different from the Biden Administration and even Trump’s first administration.
During Trump’s first administration, he made it clear that the United States is in competition with both Russia and China. Now in Trump’s second administration, the “America First” policy has cut foreign aid and the implementation of widespread tariffs have shown that Trump is willing to put American foreign relations at risk.
Many political science and public policy students attended the discussion. Linda Gherardi, a senior political science major, asked a question during the student Q&A portion.
After the panel she spoke about the importance of participating in these discussions. “Listen and engage … and think what you can say [about a topic] or what can I question about their stance,” Gherardi said. “You only get as much out of a discussion as you put into it.”
Paul Fritz, a professor of political science at Hofstra University, was one of the moderators during the discussion. Despite the often heated and confrontational nature of panels discussing politics, he believes these discussions are essential to have productive and meaningful conversations regarding political differences.
“You are trying your best to understand somebody else’s position … but that’s the most useful thing for you when you’re making your own [counterargument],” Fritz said.
Students in the audience echoed Fritz’s views. “To have a [working] democracy you need to have conversations, disagreements and agreements,” said Maria Laina DiMartino, a sophomore majoring in journalism.
Discussions and panels like this one are happening all semester long on a variety of topics with analysis from experts. These panels act to create and further discussion of topics outside of the classroom, and Fritz encouraged students to experience one for themselves.
“It may spark some interest in you that you didn’t know you had and it’s one of the most valuable things we have at a university,” Fritz said.
