It is therefore important to recognize that while many variables shape the American economy, a small handful of variables do tend to predominate in this process. Oil matters and it matters more to America than most Americans are willing to admit. Power politics as understood by Dahl (1999) also matters as countries seek a degree of hegemony or influence in shaping relationships in the geopolitical arena. As significantly, under the leadership of President George W. Bush, democratization and nation building have taken on enormous significance in developing America's policies (Birth of a Bush Doctrine, 2003; Jervis, 2003).
One can certainly argue that America's policies in a country such as Iraq have a strong humanitarian thrust and that there are other important economic trade considerations that influence policies in the entire region. Further, it has often been suggested that a dominant influence over America's Middle Eastern policies is its commitment to survival (Night turns into day, 2005). No casual observer of the p
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