la looked ominously like the 1938 Munichnsolution for Czechoslovakia is notnsurprising, since a primary characteristicnof the liberal world view is the endlessnrepetition of errors. This is because eachnissue is seen as a discreet problem to bensettled. If just this one thing can be putnbehind us, they say, then normal relationsn(peace) will be restored. Theynrefuse to consider that in regard to somenregimes and movements, the only realisticndefinition of normal relations isnunrelenting war. It is this liberal attitudenthat has made the “salami tactic” sonpopular with adversaries.nIt is also the attitude that makes thendevelopment of strategy so difficultnin the United States. By definition,nstrategy is the long-range formulation ofnplans. It thus assumes long-term conflictsnor at least a series of challenges tonwhich the nation must respond. Thenfundamental world view of the strategistnis at odds with the liberal philosophy.nFor the liberal, the development of a USnstrategy to enhance its position in thenworld is immoral, while to believe thatnthe US has any enemies with their ownnstrategies is to succumb to right-wingnparanoia. But the strategist must operatenon the belief that the world is as itnhas always been, marked by nations andnempires striving to control their surroundingsnso as to increase their wealthnand power. This is why the staffs of thenNSC, CIA, and Defense Department,nwhich are continuously engaged in thisnglobal struggle, found themselves alliednagainst the State Department. It wasnnot just bureaucratic turf,’ but basicnviews about how the world works thatnwere at odds.nThis is also why Carnes Lord’s plansnfor converting the NSC into a truenstrategic planning agency will arouseninstant opposition. The lack of an integratednplanning agency has symbolizednAmerica’s unwillingness to accept internationalnconflict as a norm. A strongernNSC may be attacked by liberals as thenonset of “Prussianism,” but once theirnunderiying philosophy is rejected, soncan be their criticism.nLord would reduce State to an operationalnrole, simply carrying out thenstrategy determined by the NSC innaccordance with presidential wishesn(just as Defense would do with militarynmatters). Within the NSC framework,nState is only one voice among manyncontending with Defense, CIA, thenJCS, and the NSC staff (the NSCnadvisor would be elevated to cabinetnrank). Rather than a mere coordinatingngroup, the NSC would exercise realnauthority over the operational bureaucracynto ensure that the President’snstrategic decisions were being followed.nLord would also reorganize the topnpositions at State to better conform tonposts at Defense, the military theaterncommands, and alliance networks. Lordnwould also create new posts across thenbureaucracy to work on politicalmilitarynissues, particularly subconventionalnwarfare (terrorism and insurgency).nAnd ambassadors would playna larger role as presidential agents.nOne of Lord’s best ideas was mentionednonly in passing: the creation of annew high-level civil service separatenfrom the Foreign Service, one thatnwould cut across the entire. foreignnpolicy-defense-intelligence establishment.nA gap should be created betweennthe State Department careerists andnpolicymaking positions, a gap that couldnonly be crossed by those who hadnacquired wider experience. The ForeignnService careerists claim that theynare the “professionals,” whereas politicalnappointees are amateurs. While thencareerists may possess a great deal ofnfactual knowledge, this is not the samenas the imagination needed by strategists.nNor is the environment at State likely tongenerate such imagination. There are an”A groundbreaking and timely investigation of anneconomic concept once central to American socialnthought. For anyone who has wondered why the familynis now under such financial pressure, this booknwill answer a host of questions.” – Robert Nisbetngreat many more people whose experiencenin government, business, the military,nand academic and private researchnbetter suits them for strategic policymaking.nWhile conservatives have mistrustednthe State Department since Yalta, Lordnnotes that “conservatism remains profoundlynambivalent concerning thenpresidency.” But with the GOP winningnfive of six presidential electionsnsince 1968, and the electoral vote balancencontinuing to shift in its favor, anstronger Chief Executive is the bestnhope for national renewal. Cleariy thenWhite House needs strengthening, as itnhas not been able to act decisively innrecent years to prevent the erosion ofnAmerica’s position in the world.nThe Founding Fathers created thenpresidency because Congress hadnshown itself unable to handle foreignnaffairs. The President was to be “energetic”nand exhibit “decision, activity,nsecrecy and dispatch,” according to AlexandernHamilton. But to prevail overnCongress, the President must first getnhis own executive branch in order. Fornthat he needs “hands on” involvement.nAn NSC that can develop plans, monitornbureaucratic performance, and disciplinennoncompliance would be a powerfulnasset. This means that conservativesnare going to have to think morenseriously about the structure and use ofncentralized governmental authoritynthan they have done in the past. nThe Family Wage: Work, Gender, and Children innthe Modem Economy A fascinating collection of essaysnthat will help Americans better understand the current economicnchallenges to family life. Send for your copy today!nDYES, please send mencopies of The Family Wage: Work,nGender, and Children in the Modern Economy at $n.50 eachn(postage and handling included).nName . :nAddressnCity 1nState -Zip.nSend this coupon and your check made out to The Rockford Institute to:nThe Rockford Institute, 934 N. Main St., Rockford, IL 61103nnnAPRIL 1989/29n