What do you think?
Rate this book
At War with Ourselves: Why America Is Squandering Its Chance to Build a Better World
As correspondent for Newsweek , Michael Hirsh has traveled to every continent, reporting on American foreign policy. Now he draws on his experience to offer an original explanation of America's role in the world and the problems facing the nation today and in the future.
Using colorful vignettes and up-close reporting from his coverage of the first two post-Cold War presidents, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, Hirsh argues that America has a new role never before played by any it is the world's Uberpower, overseeing the global system from the air,
land, sea and, increasingly, from space as well. And that means America has a unique opportunity do what no great power in history has ever done--to perpetuate indefinitely the global system it has built, to create an international community with American power at its center that is so secure it may
never be challenged. Yet Americans are squandering this chance by failing to realize what is at stake. At the same time that America as a nation possesses powers it barely comprehends, Americans as individuals have vulnerabilities they never before imagined. They desperately need the international
community on their side.
In an era when democracy and free markets have become the prevailing ideology, Hirsh argues, one of America's biggest problems will be "ideological blowback"--facing up to the flaws and contradictions of its own ideals. Hence, for example, the biggest threat to political stability is not
totalitarianism, but the tricky task of instituting democracy in the Arab world without giving Islamic fundamentalists the reigns of power. The only way for Washington to avoid accusations of hypocrisy is to allow the global institutions it has built, like the U.N., to do the hard work of promoting
U.S. values.
Using colorful vignettes and up-close reporting from his coverage of the first two post-Cold War presidents, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, Hirsh argues that America has a new role never before played by any it is the world's Uberpower, overseeing the global system from the air,
land, sea and, increasingly, from space as well. And that means America has a unique opportunity do what no great power in history has ever done--to perpetuate indefinitely the global system it has built, to create an international community with American power at its center that is so secure it may
never be challenged. Yet Americans are squandering this chance by failing to realize what is at stake. At the same time that America as a nation possesses powers it barely comprehends, Americans as individuals have vulnerabilities they never before imagined. They desperately need the international
community on their side.
In an era when democracy and free markets have become the prevailing ideology, Hirsh argues, one of America's biggest problems will be "ideological blowback"--facing up to the flaws and contradictions of its own ideals. Hence, for example, the biggest threat to political stability is not
totalitarianism, but the tricky task of instituting democracy in the Arab world without giving Islamic fundamentalists the reigns of power. The only way for Washington to avoid accusations of hypocrisy is to allow the global institutions it has built, like the U.N., to do the hard work of promoting
U.S. values.
- GenresNonfictionPolitics
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
2 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Michael Hirsh
17 books10 followersMichael Hirsh is the author of numerous books. During a 40-year career in broadcasting, he produced documentaries and specials for PBS, CBS, ABC and HBO, receiving multiple awards, including the Peabody.
He lives and writes in Punta Gorda, Florida
He lives and writes in Punta Gorda, Florida
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 4, 2023
Do the American people think their leaders, now and past are squandering their opportunity to spread their ideologies all around the globe and maintain their superpowership?
Michael Hirsh, a correspondent of Newsweek, a global magazine, who has travelled around continents to report on American foreign policies throughout the book, explains through scenarios and real-life instances the role America plays in the central governance of the world and the challenges restraining it’s fulfilment now and in the future. The author emphasizes on the two post-cold wars in the administrations of Bill Clinton (the Bosnian conflict and the massacres in Rwanda) and that of George W. Bush (the Afghan-Iraq war and the 911massacre) to argue that the new role of America as the world’s Uberpower overseeing the global system of the world on land, sea, air and even space should extend beyond America and the American people thus America has a unique opportunity do what no great power in history has ever done, to spread indefinitely the global system it has built, to create an international community with American power at its centre that is so secure it may never be challenged.
The author argues that diplomacy and cooperation with international organizations and agencies, backed by the might of US and regional military force will create a friendly yet diplomatic environment where world's major powers will have a sweet-sour feeling of being both unthreatened and protected yet reminded of the correction rod in the hands of mother America in the mandate of protecting it’s power. However, this can only happen if America and the American people themself embraces the international community they birthed and convincingly asserts “not only exists but is largely our creation, to provide the best means for America to affirm its hegemony without seeming arrogant and to encourage democracy and well-being without seeming hypocritical.”
It’s been eighteen years since the first publication of this book. His assertions cannot be overshadowed neither can his recommendations be rendered infeasible or mere bluff, however, lots of things have happened since then till now. China which the author ones referred to as a ‘growing economy’, now rocks shoulders with the supposed super of the world. Countries are growing and enlarging wide away from the idealism of creating or joining international communities. Those who still find them relevant like America he claims, come with motives beyond benefiting from each other but to make their own statements or make their presence and absence felt. Example, the exit of Britain from the European Unioun. Countries even the developing ones are beginning to enjoy the advantages of autonomy and self-reliance.
Reading Hirsh’s book brings me to the realisation of the vulnerability of weaker countries like Ghana to the coy of the big boys like America. How do we as a nation benefit from any partnership or cooperation with any other country without being imposed on their values or practices? Of course, like every family setting, you abide by the rules of the roof that shields you until you’re man enough to make your own rules under your own roof. Thus, to say, the only way a weaker country can begin to deal with another country on her own terms is when it is self-sufficient, self-reliant and matured enough to lend a helping hand to others. Themes like “Ghana beyond aid” should not only remain hopeful achievements, there should be SMART steps to take us there.
A key lesson learnt from the book that relates well with businesses is the strive for mastery. To be and be recognised a superpower is knowing what you can do and what others know you’re capable of doing. As a firm, you should know what you’re in for, your strengths and your weaker foots (not weaknesses). In the strive for mastery, it is equally important also to be fully equipped with all the needed resources to gain a competitive advantage in your industry.
A lesson to my future self may not be like that of America or any other country…to be a superpower, but never to be in a position to assume others values because of incapability or forfeiting the opportunity to be the man I ought to have been.
And yes, the American people think America is dragging his feet in imposing his ideologies. If it wasn’t, every human around the world at this age should be free to choose who and what it want to identified as sexually, and whom to spend the rest of life with without persecution, literally.
Michael Hirsh, a correspondent of Newsweek, a global magazine, who has travelled around continents to report on American foreign policies throughout the book, explains through scenarios and real-life instances the role America plays in the central governance of the world and the challenges restraining it’s fulfilment now and in the future. The author emphasizes on the two post-cold wars in the administrations of Bill Clinton (the Bosnian conflict and the massacres in Rwanda) and that of George W. Bush (the Afghan-Iraq war and the 911massacre) to argue that the new role of America as the world’s Uberpower overseeing the global system of the world on land, sea, air and even space should extend beyond America and the American people thus America has a unique opportunity do what no great power in history has ever done, to spread indefinitely the global system it has built, to create an international community with American power at its centre that is so secure it may never be challenged.
The author argues that diplomacy and cooperation with international organizations and agencies, backed by the might of US and regional military force will create a friendly yet diplomatic environment where world's major powers will have a sweet-sour feeling of being both unthreatened and protected yet reminded of the correction rod in the hands of mother America in the mandate of protecting it’s power. However, this can only happen if America and the American people themself embraces the international community they birthed and convincingly asserts “not only exists but is largely our creation, to provide the best means for America to affirm its hegemony without seeming arrogant and to encourage democracy and well-being without seeming hypocritical.”
It’s been eighteen years since the first publication of this book. His assertions cannot be overshadowed neither can his recommendations be rendered infeasible or mere bluff, however, lots of things have happened since then till now. China which the author ones referred to as a ‘growing economy’, now rocks shoulders with the supposed super of the world. Countries are growing and enlarging wide away from the idealism of creating or joining international communities. Those who still find them relevant like America he claims, come with motives beyond benefiting from each other but to make their own statements or make their presence and absence felt. Example, the exit of Britain from the European Unioun. Countries even the developing ones are beginning to enjoy the advantages of autonomy and self-reliance.
Reading Hirsh’s book brings me to the realisation of the vulnerability of weaker countries like Ghana to the coy of the big boys like America. How do we as a nation benefit from any partnership or cooperation with any other country without being imposed on their values or practices? Of course, like every family setting, you abide by the rules of the roof that shields you until you’re man enough to make your own rules under your own roof. Thus, to say, the only way a weaker country can begin to deal with another country on her own terms is when it is self-sufficient, self-reliant and matured enough to lend a helping hand to others. Themes like “Ghana beyond aid” should not only remain hopeful achievements, there should be SMART steps to take us there.
A key lesson learnt from the book that relates well with businesses is the strive for mastery. To be and be recognised a superpower is knowing what you can do and what others know you’re capable of doing. As a firm, you should know what you’re in for, your strengths and your weaker foots (not weaknesses). In the strive for mastery, it is equally important also to be fully equipped with all the needed resources to gain a competitive advantage in your industry.
A lesson to my future self may not be like that of America or any other country…to be a superpower, but never to be in a position to assume others values because of incapability or forfeiting the opportunity to be the man I ought to have been.
And yes, the American people think America is dragging his feet in imposing his ideologies. If it wasn’t, every human around the world at this age should be free to choose who and what it want to identified as sexually, and whom to spend the rest of life with without persecution, literally.
February 26, 2016
At War With Ourselves is about the United States' role in the International Community and how we can best play that role to "build a better world" as the international landscape has changed from the World Wars, to the Cold war to the current "Permanent Quagmire." The main argument is that America is and has always been a vital part of the International Community and especially the United Nations, no matter how often we rail against it and proclaim American "Exceptionalism", and that America can use this to do good in the world where it matters and also use it to encourage other players on the world stage to step in where we don't want to. By using hard and soft power, military power and diplomacy, correctly, America can be the Leader of the Free World and accomplish our goals without the intense backlash we have recieved in the recent history.
An interesting example is America's stated goal to support people's right to freedom and self-determinism all over the world, one of our main reasons to invade Iraq, but in places like Chechnya, Taiwan, Palestine and others, this clearly threatens regional stability and we want no part of it. So how does America walk this line without appearing hypocritical?
Hirsh writes well and makes a very good case for America embracing the UN and the International Community, faults and all and encouraging regionilism, where regional powers would handle conflicts in their region with US assitance. The book is slightly hurt that it was written in 2003 and books such as this, written about current events suffer as time passes and things change. But the message and the examples used are still relevant and important.
An interesting example is America's stated goal to support people's right to freedom and self-determinism all over the world, one of our main reasons to invade Iraq, but in places like Chechnya, Taiwan, Palestine and others, this clearly threatens regional stability and we want no part of it. So how does America walk this line without appearing hypocritical?
Hirsh writes well and makes a very good case for America embracing the UN and the International Community, faults and all and encouraging regionilism, where regional powers would handle conflicts in their region with US assitance. The book is slightly hurt that it was written in 2003 and books such as this, written about current events suffer as time passes and things change. But the message and the examples used are still relevant and important.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews