The Monroe
Doctrine, issued in 1823, was an important part of American foreign policies
for many years. Today this document continues to affect some of America’s
decisions. Students and activists across America have recently held
demonstrations and candle-lit vigils in response to the disappearance of 43 Mexican
students. The US activists are opposed to Americas funding towards Mexican drug
wars. They believe that the US is responsible for the corruption of Mexican
security, violence, and disappearances of the 43 students. Ever since the US
has given Mexico $2.1 billion to combat drug trafficking, murder rates have
gone up, and police forces in Mexico have been corrupted. Many critics agree
that the funding from the US is not beneficial to anyone.
If America was
following the three lasting principles of the Monroe Doctrine they would
probably have an easier resolution to their problem. The Monroe Doctrine talks
about non-intervention, which prevents the US from getting involved with a
foreign issue, unless it affects or threatens the US directly. With this in
mind the United States would probably decide to stop their funding to Mexico.
This would probably be the decision based on the Monroe Doctrine because although
Mexico is close to America, the drug wars in Mexico do not directly affect the
US. Until the drug wars do affect or threaten America, we should stop funding Mexican
drug wars, according to the principles of the Monroe Doctrine. Today we can
continue to refer to the principles of the Monroe doctrine in order to make
hard decisions about foreign policy.
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