The United States is deeply involved in international politics and has been since the Monroe Doctrine ceased to be necessary. The last four years, however, have been some of the most controversial on an international scale and the upcoming election has great implications for the direction U.S. foreign policy will take in the next four years.

World opinion effects U.S. policy and, in this polarized election, many people in other countries have very strong opinions about whom the American people should elect for president. Sophomore Brian Goodman, senior Travis Jones and sophomore Alex Sirney discuss the extent to which this should influence voters in the United States on Nov. 2.

Brian Goodman, staff writer

Back in March, John Kerry told reporters the fabulous news that he had won the unofficial endorsement of unnamed foreign officials. "I’ve met with foreign leaders who can’t go out and say this publicly," Kerry declared. "But, boy, they look at you and say, ‘You’ve got to win this. You’ve got to beat this guy. We need a new policy.’ Things like that."

Beyond the questionable nature of consorting with foreign leaders to talk trash against the sitting American President for political brownie points at a time of military action, Kerry should have been informed that foreign opinion shouldn’t matter in a domestic election.

Twenty years ago, the majority of people would have been insulted and Reagan Republicans would have wet themselves in righteous anger. But then the ’90s came and numbed us into thinking that Kerry’s statement was not the least bit absurd.

If things were as they should be, foreign opinion in our domestic election would amount to a whopping pile of nothing. American presidents should be primarily concerned with — heaven forbid — the American people. And since voting is our government’s form of representation, the American people should primarily be concerned with themselves.

But the way in which Kerry’s news was received shows how far we have come. It is a frightening thought that there might be people somewhere in this great country who will go to the polls thinking, "Well, what do the French think?" But it’s even more frightening to think that there are candidates who want the people to.

Alex Sirney, opinion editor

Although initially it may seem absurd that people in other countries with their own political processes should have an influence in American politics, the truth is that Americans should consider the opinions of their fellow world citizens before casting their votes this Election Day.

There are a great many issues in this election that do not pertain to international politics, but a voter must weigh the sum of all the issues and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — as well as our relationships with other nations — are part of that total. Both candidates have addressed foreign policy heavily, and both disagree on basic ideological approaches.

Americans are accustomed to vote for the candidate whose policies are most beneficial to their own life. This policy not only is selfish, but irresponsible. Americans must realize that their actions on Election Day (or sooner, if voting absentee) will have a direct effect on people’s lives both inside and outside this nation. In a society as globally integrated as ours, it is impossible to ignore the implications of our actions.

While it is critical that Americans vote to ensure the best possible leader for our nation — not the world — it is equally as important that we choose a leader who will best lead us in that world. That may mean either voting with or against international sentiment. But regardless, that sentiment must be considered before Nov. 2.

Travis Jones, senior writer

As Election Day rapidly approaches, countries around the world have expressed large interest in the outcome — maybe more so than ever before. Most countries are hoping Kerry wins. China favors Kerry’s North Korea policy over Bush’s. The majority of Canadians feel Bush exerts too much influence in international affairs. Spain has pulled its troops out of Iraq, and Poland will pull theirs out by the end of 2005. Great Britain isn’t just hoping Kerry will win; the Guardian, a newspaper in Great Britain actually has launched a campaign in the swing state of Ohio against President Bush.

If the whole world got to vote on Nov. 2, John F. Kerry would likely be our next president. However, thanks to the Constitution, Osama bin Laden and the Pope won’t be casting any votes. That leaves the voting up to us. Should we consider global opinion as we make our way to the polls? The answer is ‘yes.’

Global opinion should be strongly considered. We can’t protect this country unless we are respected by other nations. Yet, most voters will not make a vote based on global opinion — people will vote for the candidate that they feel has the best policies regarding the issues that directly affect them. Global opinion is important, just not important enough right now to alter a presidential election. If Kerry wins, America likely will gain popularity in the world’s eyes. If Bush is re-elected, we may spend four more years feeling like that smelly kid in the corner with whom no one wants to play (or go to war).