Greg Grandin on how the Monroe Doctrine Became the Donroe Doctrine - Odd Lots Recap
Podcast: Odd Lots
Published: 2026-01-09
Duration: 41 minutes
Guests: Greg Grandin
Summary
The episode explores the evolution of the Monroe Doctrine, focusing on its application in Latin America and its reinterpretation under Trump's administration as the 'Donroe Doctrine'. Greg Grandin examines historical patterns of American intervention and its implications for contemporary foreign policy.
What Happened
The Monroe Doctrine, first articulated by President James Monroe in 1823, was initially a declaration against European colonization in the Americas, stating that any interference would be seen as a hostile act against the United States. John Quincy Adams, then Secretary of State, played a significant role in crafting this policy, which served as a foundational framework for US interventions in Latin America over the centuries.
Throughout history, the Monroe Doctrine has been reinterpreted to serve various American political agendas. Theodore Roosevelt expanded it to justify intervention in cases of 'chronic wrongdoing' in Latin America. Conversely, Franklin D. Roosevelt renounced the right to intervene, marking a significant shift in US foreign policy.
Under the Trump administration, a version dubbed the 'Donroe Doctrine' emerged, reflecting a return to asserting US dominance in the Western Hemisphere. Trump's approach to Venezuela, characterized by unilateral sanctions and a focus on oil interests, mirrors historical precedents of US actions in the region, such as the capture of Manuel Noriega in 1989 and the 2005 coup in Haiti.
Greg Grandin highlights that Trump's foreign policy lacks a coherent ideological framework, focusing instead on theatricality and nationalism. This approach is seen as a substitute for traditional liberal internationalism, aligning with the Monroe Doctrine's focus on US power rather than universalist international law.
The Trump administration's actions in Venezuela are described as ad-hoc, with no clear plan for reconstruction or transition to democracy. The emphasis appears to be on extracting economic benefits, particularly through oil, without a broader strategic vision.
Grandin notes the historical pattern of US dominance in Latin America coinciding with periods of perceived internal weakness, using external interventions as a way to assert power. The current geopolitical climate, particularly anxiety over China's rise, further drives the US focus on maintaining influence in Latin America.
Key Insights
- The Monroe Doctrine, established in 1823, was initially a policy to prevent European colonization in the Americas, crafted significantly by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams.
- Theodore Roosevelt expanded the Monroe Doctrine to justify US intervention in Latin America in cases of 'chronic wrongdoing,' while Franklin D. Roosevelt later renounced this interventionist stance.
- Under the Trump administration, the 'Donroe Doctrine' emerged, characterized by unilateral sanctions and a focus on oil interests in Venezuela, reflecting historical US interventions in Latin America.
- US dominance in Latin America has historically coincided with periods of perceived internal weakness, using external interventions to assert power, a pattern now influenced by concerns over China's geopolitical rise.