Another major issue focused on during the election of 1972 was foreign policy. Senator McGovern, and the Democratic party stated the next Democratic Administration should "End American participation in the war in Southeast Asia. Re-establish control over military activities and reduce military spending, where consistent with national security. Defend America's real interests and maintain our alliances, neither playing world policeman nor abandoning old and good friends. Not neglect America's relations with small third-world nations in placing reliance on great power relationships. Return to Congress, and the people, a meaningful role in decisions on peace and war, and make information public, except where real national defense interests are involved."4 The Democratic party didn't want other countries to look upon the U.S. as the policeman of the world. They also wanted to make sure the U.S. remained friendly with small third world countries, because we may need to trade with them, or we might need raw materials we don't have. The Republicans had a different idea on foreign policy. They said that "Never before has our country negotiated with so many nations on so wide a range of subjects -- and never with greater success." They go on to say "We will press for expansion of contacts with the peoples of Eastern Europe and the People's Republic of China, as long isolated from most of the world."2 The Republican Party wanted to improve the relationships with countries that have been cut off from much of the world. The Republicans felt they were doing a ...
