A New Type of Realism?

Hillary Clinton's announcement that economics and climate change will take precedent over human rights and Tibet with regard to relations with China suggests that the new Administration is not hesitant to adopt a pragmatic realist approach to its relations with other countries - particulalry the powerful. This follows in the wake of President Obama's invitation to states suspicious of the new Administration to unclench their fist. A new approach, maybe, but smart power suggests a combination of the old and the new. As an essentially domestic president - he will stand or fall on his economic policy - he may well disappoint many who supported him as he compromises principles in foreign policy for the sake of economic stability. That would not make him unusual as a president, but those who shouted 'Yes we can' and celebrated American renwal would probably like more of the Wilsonian rhetoric and less of the Roosveltian actions.