Suchergebnisse

This article considers the ideational fabric of American empire. Section one discusses why liberal democratic empires are not particularly peaceful. Section two highlights the analytical value of a focus on U.S. strategic culture in explaining U.S. military practice. Section three looks more broadly at the role of identity in giving meaning to the U.S. imperial project & in giving reasons for the use of force in support of it. Throughout, comparisons are made with the British Empire & consideration is given to the meta-theoretical options & methodological challenges for the social science of strategic culture. Adapted from the source document.

The effects of US-led military aggression against Iraq upon the US's perception within the international community & the multitudinous costs of the Second Gulf War are pondered. The George W. Bush administration is charged with overlooking State Department documents that downplayed the threat presented by the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq & criticized for misleading the American public about US military intentions in the Middle East. Despite near-global condemnation of terrorism, it is stressed that the US-led war on terrorism has deflated US foreign relations with particular countries & challenged US claims to moral legitimacy. Attention is subsequently dedicated to examining the various costs associated with the US's Middle East policy; specifically, it is stressed that funding has been diverted from sundry social programs & that the creation of a self-functioning democracy in Iraq remains a distant objective. Furthermore, it is maintained that US imperialism, militarism, & nationalism presently underlie economic globalization processes & that this amalgamation is posing a serious threat to the poor & working classes throughout the world; consequently, the need to initiate grassroots resistance that focuses upon a class ideal is articulated. J. W. Parker

The prospects of establishing a leftist, democratic foreign policy perspective that overcomes the anti-democratic tendencies of current US foreign policy are contemplated. The question of whether the notions of isolationism, multilateralism, & unilateralism remain functional categories for comprehending US foreign policy is considered. Walter Russell Mead's (2001) typology of four historical foreign policy currents (eg, Hamiltonianism & Wilsonianism) & contention that the competition between these perspectives has permitted the US to formulate a dominant foreign policy are reconsidered. Rather than assert that US foreign policy must reject its imperialist objective of founding a new Empire, it is stressed that political scientists must critique the sense of moral righteousness that motivates foreign policy & the post-Cold War presidential administrations' penchant for using preemptive strikes to squelch opposition. The Left's capacity to develop a unified leftist approach to foreign policy is pondered, & foreign policy recommendations for Europe toward the US are offered. J. W. Parker

Examines Australian Prime Minister Howard's premiership. Attention is given to Australia's post-9/11 relationship with the US & economic reforms, particularly in terms of how Howard's political strategy has kept him in power. M. Ruben

Argues that China's urgent requirement for secure, long-term energy supplies & raw materials has transformed its national interests, brought the country into conflict with the US, & dramatically shifted the strategic structure of global politics. Tensions in the Sino-US security relationship are laid out, highlighting China's military build up, Taiwan & North Korea, as well as the US-Japanese security alliance. While much of this contention centers on competing short-term interests, China's energy needs might result in lasting political conflict. Containing this growing conflict is considered, arguing that, in general, this is not a zero-sum game, but each state faces difficult tradeoffs. J. Zendejas

The progress of democratization in Egypt is described. The author contends that, although Egypt is far from being a fully functioning democracy, it has made important progress in the electoral process, a free press, and the political participation of women. It is argued that such reforms must be guided internally.