The
Hearst doctrine (after the advertising slogan "We're No. 1") is the
diplomatic doctrine which was announced on
September 17th,
2002 in The
National Security Strategy of the United States"
[1] (
http://www.whitehouse.gov/nsc/nss.html) together with the
Bush doctrine of pre-emptive strikes. The Hearst doctrine is a pre-eminence doctrine based on the "unparalleled military strength," of the
United States and its determination to maintain worldwide military supremacy. "Our forces will be strong enough to dissuade potential adversaries from pursuing a military buildup in hopes of surpassing, or equaling, the power of the United States."
[2] (
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/26/arts/26STRA.html).
The doctrine can be compared to the pre-World War One United Kingdom doctrine requiring their navy to be bigger than the combination of the next two largest navies and has also been described as the American version of the British Empire saying "The sun never sets on the British Empire".
Compare also balance of power.