The foundations of America were built on ideas that valued the importance of the individual; individual choices, rights and contributions. It can therefore be said that human rights and democracy have a long history in the United States. Therefore, it is easy to understand how these concepts have shaped American foreign policy throughout history and why they remain important elements today. While consideration of these elements has not always been consistent in foreign policy in lieu of criticism, it is vital to gain insight into the challenges of balancing national interests with moral conventions. Furthermore, while examining perceived errors in human rights policy, one must consider the implications for the nation if the opposite method had been employed. This raises the question of how the leadership determines both the risks and benefits to the country when setting policy that emphasizes human rights and/or promotes democracy. It goes without saying that it is impossible to craft a foreign policy that consistently embodies all moral and ethical values, as well as the best interest of the nation. However, the factors that prompt accusations of hypocrisy are often the very policies that will give the United States an edge toward achieving those more idealistic goals. Why are human rights and democracy important issues in American foreign policy? There is no simple answer to this question; rather it is a combination of factors that define the importance of these issues. The most important, at least in an international sense, is the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, which is considered a universally accepted idea of ​​human rights, especially in the aspect of a nation or its leadership... halfway paper. ..... it's patience, perseverance and small steps towards a bigger plan. Works Cited Crepaz, Markus and Jurg Steiner. (2011) European Democracies 7th ed. Boston: Longman/Pearson. Endicott, John E.; Johnson, Loch K.; Papp, Daniel S. (2005) American Foreign Policy: History, Politics, and Policy. NY: Pearson. Kontorovich, Eugene. (2003) The Arab League boycott and WTO membership: can foreign policy justify discriminatory sanctions? Chicago Journal of International Law: Wednesday, October 1, 2003.Mansbach, Richard W. (2000) The Global Puzzle: Issues and Actors in World Politics. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.Winkler, Adam. (1999) Sanctions only. Human Rights Quarterly 21.1 133-155. Congressional Research Service Report to Congress. (2005) Macedonia (FYROM): post-conflict situation and US politics. Library of Congress: Updated January 24 2005.