Stop striding hairy-chested across the globe

Publius on why we should respect international law and diplomacy instead of "striding — hairy-chested and non-French — across the globe, spreading [our] power and goodness."

There are consequences to undermining the legitimacy and the authority of international agreements. When your nation’s entire foreign policy is premised on the notion that international law doesn’t apply to it, you can understand why other countries might be reluctant to enter into agreements with us — especially if the agreement involves them accepting risk based on our word. Mortgage Officer: It says here you don’t believe in contracts. You write, “they are tools of the moneyed classes and are inherently illegitimate.” Karl: Ha, ha, yes, that’s a little joke I like to tell. So can I have the loan?