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Advice for a career in foreign policy / international relations
In our opinion, the best preparation for a career in foreign policy is a degree in classics. The British, throughout their impressive and vast empire, trained the school boys of the ruling class by having them meticulously read in Latin Caesar's Gallic War. The American founding fathers possessed the same wisdom and understood the need for a sound classical education for the leadership of a country. The timeless lessons presented in Thucydides, Caesar, Livy and Tacitus have provided exempla and inspiration for diplomats and foreign-policy advisors throughout the ages. Although times have changed, human nature has not. The basic examples of human interaction provided in these texts are still valid to this day. A great nation requires a class of classically minded advisors and experts.
We advice the following course:
1) Have at least 2 years of college Latin, preferably 4.
2) A degree in Classics, Ancient History, or Latin. And read much Latin, which furnishes the mind with analytic ability. (See reading list.)
3) Major in history, but a serious program (not a "politically correct" one). If one takes this course of study, make certain to have at least 2 years, preferably 4, of college Latin.
4) Learn another modern language (e.g. French, German, Italian, etc. See DLIFLC)
5) Have a good sense of current events and trends (e.g. read Foreign Affairs, The Salisbury Review).
6) Understand the timeless patterns of history (e.g. by reading Tacitus, Caesar, etc.) See history reading list.
Recent great books on foreign policy:
Roger Scruton: The West and the Rest: Globalization and the Terrorist Threat
Victor Hanson: Carnage and Culture: Landmark Battles in the Rise of Western Power
Please contact us with questions: ec@optimates.us
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