Abstract

Ideology is an important factor in shaping foreign policy making. It should be analyzed at three levels ,i.e.,as a worldview ,as a belief system ,and as an excuse for policies. Ideology exerts a subtle influence on specific policy making as a perspective to deal with international affairs, as a tool to integrate different social concepts ,and also as proof to justify foreign policy making.We have to explore the roots of the influence of ideology in history ,rather than surpassing history or ignoring the limitations that history imposes on the influence of ideology.We find some deep-rooted concepts in American foreign policy ,such as“fatalism ,”“American exceptionalism ,”and self-claimed“altruism. ”These ideologies are sometimes explicit , but more oftenthey are implicit . However , none of them appear by chance without any foundation. They are recognized by both the elite and the public. Therefore ,the ideological factor in American foreign policy should be objectively and carefully analyzed.

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