INTL 4250, American Foreign Policy (Photo courtesy of Kristin Bradshaw)
The demand for ruthless prioritization in a world of scarce resources transcends time, issues, and actors. Political leaders at every level must weigh their objectives against inevitable tradeoffs. Debates over the appropriate balance between national security and individual freedom, or economic growth and environmental conservation, highlight the inherent tension that resides in many policy decisions. The process of prioritizing is a difficult task that yields invaluable insight on such debates. It encourages deep contemplation, results in a more full appreciation for the complexity of international affairs, and hones a student’s analytic skills. The value of prioritizing objectives, however, is rarely acknowledged much less cultivated during one’s academic career, a glaring shortfall I endeavor to address in each of my courses. Drawing attention to the importance of prioritization aids my primary instructional goal: for students to depart my class more confident, active, open-minded and better informed citizens.
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