Democratic Transition and Human Rights: Perspectives on U.S. Foreign Policy - Softcover

Steinmetz, Sara

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0791414345 ISBN 13: 9780791414347

Publisher: State University of New York Press, 1994

Synopsis

This book analyzes U.S. foreign policy in relation to human rights and democratic development abroad. Its purpose is to determine if, and how, human rights policies, or their neglect, have led to Realpolitik successes for the United States. In addition, it addresses the issue of how Washington might best respond to challenges in which a choice apparently must be made between support for democracy and preservation of U.S. national interests.

Through a comparative analysis of Iran under the Shah, Nicaragua under the Somozas, and the Philippines under Marcos, Steinmetz evaluates the effectiveness of American priorities in authoritarian states that were perceived to protect U.S. interests. Rejecting the policy prescriptions of the neoconservative and neorealist schools, she concludes that protection of human rights abroad is desirable, not because of its moral implications per se, but because of its positive contributions to the preservation of U.S. national interests.

About this title

About the Author

Sara Steinmetz teaches in the Department of Political Science at Rutgers University.

Edition details

• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0791414345
• ISBN 13: 9780791414347
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 294