ABSTRACT
This is an appropriate time to discuss the human rights policy of the Carter administration, and some of the issues both of principle and strategy which need further clarification. However, before considering some of the problems faced by the Carter administration in its formulation and implementation of a human rights policy, it would be useful to emphasize the fundamental change which has taken place since this Administration took office in January 1977. Under the Nixon and Ford administrations, human rights was hardly considered a relevant factor in U.S. foreign policy decisionmaking. Now it is a legitimate factor in the decisionmaking process and often does influence the outcome of decisions.
