From Superpower to Besieged Global Power

by Kolodziej, Edward A.; Kanet, Roger E.

• ISBN13: 9780820329772
• ISBN10: 0820329770
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-05-01
• Publisher: Univ of Georgia Pr

Summary

The essays in this volume argue that the Bush Doctrine, as outlined in the September 2002 National Security Strategy of the United States, squandered enormous military and economic resources, diminished American power, and undermined America's moral reputation as a defender of democratic values and human rights. The Bush Doctrine misguidedly assumed that the United States was a superpower, a unique unipolar power that could compel others to accede to its preferences for world order. In reality the United States is a formidable but besieged global power, one of a handful of nations that could influence but certainly not dictate world events. The flawed doctrine has led to failed policies that extend America's reach beyond its grasp, most painfully evident in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.Leading scholars and policy analysts from nine countries assess the impact of the Bush Doctrine on world order, explain how the United States reached its current low standing internationally, and propose ways that the country can repair the untold damage wrought by ill-conceived and incompetently executed security and foreign policies. Contributors focus on the principal regions of the world where they have expertise: Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Russia.The contributors agree that future security and foreign policies must be informed by the limitations of U.S. economic, cultural, and military power to shape world order to reflect American interests and values. American power and influence will increase only when the United States binds itself to moral norms, legal strictures, and political accords in cooperation with other like-minded states and peoples.

Author Biography

Edward A. Kolodziej is Research Professor of Political Science (Emeritus) and Director of the Center for Global Studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Roger E. Kanet is Professor of International Studies at the University of Miami. They have coedited several collections, including The Cold War as Cooperation and Coping with Conflict after the Cold War.

Table of Contents

List of Acronyms
American Geopolitical, and Military Strategy
American Power and Global Order	p. 3
American Military Power and Challenges to International Security	p. 31
Regional Limits of American Power
Asia
China	p. 55
Northeast Asia: South and North Korea and Japan	p. 74
South Asia	p. 97
Southeast Asia	p. 115
Europe and Central Asia
Europe	p. 137
The Russian Federation and the CIS	p. 155
The Balkans to Turkey and the Northern Tier	p. 176
North Africa, The Middle East, and Africa
North Africa	p. 199
Middle Fast	p. 219
Sub-Saharan Africa	p. 238
Latin America
Latin America	p. 259
Brazil	p. 280
Limiting Reach to Grasp
From Superpower to Besieged Global Power	p. 299
American Strategy for Global Order	p. 338
References	p. 363
Contributors	p. 399
Index	p. 403
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