Marco Rubio: 'Politically, foreign policy never matters until it matters, and then it matters a lot.'

Politically, foreign policy never matters until it matters, and then it matters a lot.

The quote by Marco Rubio, "Politically, foreign policy never matters until it matters, and then it matters a lot," encapsulates an intriguing insight into the realm of politics and international relations. In a straightforward sense, Rubio suggests that foreign policy often takes a backseat in political discourse, only to become a significant issue of concern when its impact is felt directly. This observation speaks to the concept of the prevailing myopia in political decision-making, where short-term domestic issues tend to overshadow long-term global considerations. However, diving deeper, we can explore this quote through the lens of philosophical concepts, such as temporality and interconnectivity.At first glance, Rubio's statement highlights the tendency of politicians to prioritize immediate and tangible concerns, often neglecting the complex and nuanced realm of foreign policy. Elected officials, driven by public opinion and re-election ambitions, frequently focus on domestic agendas that directly affect their constituents. They may view foreign policy as esoteric or remote, with its consequences not always felt directly on the home front. Yet, as Rubio points out, the importance of foreign policy can surge unexpectedly and with great impact, demanding immediate attention.This notion can be linked to the philosophical concept of temporality. In politics, decision-making is heavily influenced by the short-term time horizon of electoral cycles, where politicians aim to address immediate challenges and capitalize on immediate gains. Foreign policy, which often operates on a longer timeline, rarely aligns neatly with these electoral cycles. It is only when a crisis erupts or a foreign event directly affects domestic interests, such as economic stability or national security, that politicians are forced to confront the ramifications of their actions or lack thereof. In those moments, the significance of foreign policy cannot be ignored or trivialized.However, exploring this quote also offers an opportunity to examine the interconnectedness of the world. While foreign policy may seem detached from domestic concerns, Rubio's observation suggests that any attempt to isolate domestic issues from the global context is fundamentally flawed. In today's increasingly interconnected world, events and decisions in one country can have far-reaching consequences that transcend borders. Economic globalization, for instance, means that economic downturn in one country can have a domino effect, impacting markets globally. Similarly, political instability or conflicts in one region can trigger waves of migration or geopolitical upheaval, which can directly affect neighboring nations or have ripple effects across continents.This interconnectedness, heavily emphasized in recent years, underscores the importance of considering foreign policy even when it seems removed from immediate domestic concerns. By acknowledging the interconnections between domestic and international realms, politicians can adopt a more comprehensive and proactive approach to foreign policy instead of merely reacting when crises occur.In conclusion, Marco Rubio's quote aptly captures the tendency of politicians to downplay the significance of foreign policy until it becomes impossible to ignore. However, by delving deeper and exploring the philosophical concepts of temporality and interconnectivity, we can appreciate the broader implications of this observation. From the vantage point of temporality, it highlights the myopic nature of political decision-making, which favors short-term gains over long-term global considerations. Simultaneously, the quote prompts us to recognize the interconnectedness of the world and the need for a holistic approach to governance that takes into account the far-reaching consequences of foreign policy decisions. Ultimately, acknowledging the importance of foreign policy even in times of relative calm allows nations to be better prepared for the unexpected and, in turn, navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving global landscape.