Suchergebnisse

This essay traces the factors, personalities, and issues that contributed to the transformation of the American political landscape and links post – World War II changes, the prevailing world turmoil, and the erosion of American ideals to the growth of the military-industrial complex and the privatization of war.

The author places American politics in historical and philosophical context, reflecting on the significance of the election of the first African American as president of the United States. He raises fundamental questions about the dearth of historical change and the ability of the system to co-opt change, render it irrelevant in the long run, and maintain the status quo.

Nikolaos A. Stavrou is professor emeritus of international affairs at Howard University.

A reflection on the consequences of the US war against Iraq notes warnings that it would put foreign policy on a path contrary to the nation's founding principles; prompt other nations to make preemptive attacks against sovereign states; & push nations with vile regimes into lawlessness/terrorism. President George W. Bush's rhetoric about the threat of weapons of mass destruction is reviewed, along with key elements of the discourse of opponents of the war, & questions raised in congressional hearings held before the war began. Ominous signs of instability in Iraq & weaknesses in American military capabilities are examined. It is concluded that: (1) the US should not have declared war on Iraq when it did not present a clear & present danger; (2) the preemptive attack had a negative affect on the concept of collective security & the US alliance system; (3) the war substantiated a new division of labor with the US doing the heavy fighting; & (4) imposed regime change "opened a Pandora's box in world politics.". J. Lindroth

Nikolaos A. Stavrou is professor of international affairs at Howard University and editor of Mediterranean Quarterly.

Stavrou reviews 'The Legacy of the Soviet Bloc' edited by Jane Shapiro Zacek and Ilpyong J. Kim.