It is difficult to conceive of the development of an effective human rights system without the active and affirmative participation of the United States. Consequently, to those involved in international human rights efforts, the future attitude of the United States towards international human rights issues is of great concern. How important a role are human rights considerations likely to play in U.S. foreign policy during the next few years? Will Vietnam, Watergate and the growing list of other problems the American people are experiencing have the effect of increasing United States support for international human rights efforts, decreasing it, or will they leave the U.S. posture essentially unchanged? This essay will note some of the problems in forecasting the input of human rights in the future foreign policy of the United States and suggest some answers to these questions.
