The neoconservative doctrine and American exceptionalism: A path to unilateralism and to the negation of International Law

Abstract

This article seeks to analyze the roots and the theoretical features of the neoconservative view of international law and multilateralism. Since the study of the role played by American exceptionalism in neoconservatism —and how the former leads to unilateralism as a preferential mean of action for US foreign policy— the author will examine the place of international law and multilateralism in the neoconservative thinking. Although it shares many common points with other American foreign policy doctrines, the neoconservative stance regarding international law and multilateralism has some distinctive elements that differentiate it from the rest, giving it a relative singularity of its own. Thus, we will see the deep criticism formulated by neoconservatism against the fundamental principles of international law, which implies their contestation and comprehensive redefinition. Finally, the article will show how multilateralism, both in its conceptual and institutional aspects, has been contested by neoconservative pundits with the purpose of undermining its functioning and efficacy as well as its own legitimacy.