America Right or Wrong: An Anatomy of American Nationalism - Softcover

Lieven, Anatol

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0007164610 ISBN 13: 9780007164615

Publisher: Harper Perennial, 2005

Synopsis

A controversial and timely exploration of the dark side of American idealism – and its potentially dangerous consequences for the world.

In this thoughtful critique of America’s role in the world, Lieven contends that US foreign policy since 9/11 has been shaped by the special character of its national identity, which embraces two contradictory features. The first, a civic nationalism or ‘creed’ which espouses liberty and democracy, sometimes irrespective of the needs and desires of others. The other feature, Jacksonian nationalism, has its roots in the defensive White America, and is fed by a profound pessimism and a sense of personal, social and religious defeat. Lieven examines how these two opposing impulses have played out in recent US policy and suggests that, in the Middle East in particular, the uneasy combination of policies has gravely undermined US credibility and complicated the war against terrorism.

Drawing comparisons with earlier European models, Lieven offers powerful insights into alarming elements of the American psyche and their disturbing implications for the coming century. This hard-hitting study directs a spotlight on the American political soul and on the curious mixture of chauvinism and idealism that has been exploited by the Bush administration.

About this title

Product Description:

Paperback. Pub Date :2005-11-07 Pages: 320 Language: English Publisher: HarperCollins UK A controversial and timely exploration of the dark side of American idealism - and its potentially dangerous consequences for the world.In this thoughtful critique of Americas role in the world. Lieven contends that US foreign policy since 911 has been shaped by the special character of its national identity. which embraces two contradictory features. The first. a civic nationalism or creed which espouses liberty and democracy. sometimes irrespective of the needs and desires of others. The other feature. Jacksonian nationalism. has its roots in the defensive White America. and is fed by a profound pessimism and a sense of personal. social and religious defeat. Lieven examines how these two opposing impulses have played out in recent US policy and suggests that. in the Middle East in part...

Review:

‘Anatol Lieven’s fascinating and incisive analysis of American Nationalism...Lieven provides a compelling argument.’ London Review of Books

‘This is a rich book. Lieven hopes it will help to persuade American intellectuals to reflect on their own nationalism, as Europeans were forced to do.’ Independent

‘Illuminating...Lieven draws on his wide reading, consultation and much personal observation to bring balance, perspective, and historical sense to what is a rather intricate tale.’ Martin Woollacott, Guardian

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0007164610
• ISBN 13: 9780007164615
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320