America Unbound: The Bush Revolution in Foreign Policy

by James M. Lindsay, Ivo H. Daalder

"
George W. Bush has launched a revolution in American foreign policy. He has redefined how America engages the world, shedding the constraints that friends, allies, and international institutions impose on its freedom of action. He has insisted that an America unbound is a more secure America. How did a man once mocked for knowing little about the world come to be a foreign policy revolutionary? In America Unbound, Ivo H. Daalder and James M. Lindsay dismiss claims that neoconservatives have captured the heart and mind of the president. They show that George W. Bush has been no one's puppet. He has been a strong and decisive leader with a coherent worldview that was evident even during the 2000 presidential campaign. Daalder and Lindsay caution that the Bush revolution comes with significant risks. Raw power alone is not enough to preserve and extend America's security and prosperity in the modern world. The United States often needs the help of others to meet the challenges it faces overseas. But Bush's revolutionary impulse has stirred great resentment abroad. At some point, Daalder and Lindsay warn, Bush could find that America's friends and allies refuse to follow his lead. America will then stand alone—a great power unable to achieve its most important goals.
"

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History, United States

246 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

James M. Lindsay is senior vice president, director of studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg chair at the Council on Foreign Relations. Dr. Lindsay has written widely on various aspects of American foreign policy and international relations. He has contributed articles to the op-ed pages of many major newspapers, including the New York Times, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times. In addition to America Unbound: The Bush Revolution in Foreign Policy, his previous book with Ivo Daalder, other books include Agenda for the Nation (with Henry J. Aaron and Pietro S. Nivola), and Congress and the Politics of U.S. Foreign Policy.

Reviews

[Joseph Stieb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very clear, thoughtful, objective book about how Bush altered USFP and how we got into Iraq. Ivo argues that Bush's foreign policy was defined by the assertive use of unilateral American power, the abrogation of treaties, the expansive pursuit of terrorist groups and their state sponsors, and the doctrine of pre-emptive war. What makes this revolutionary is the break with USFP since FDR and its focus on multilateralism, international institutions, treaties, and, in the post-Vietnam era, a certain hesitance about using American force abroad. I would say that the truly revolutionary aspect of the Bush Doctrine was the endorsement of preventive war, or at least the erasing of the distinction between preventive and pre-emptive war. Ivo argues that 9/11 was obviously crucial to this "revolution" but that the worldviews that informed it were well-developed in advance.

Unlike many analysts, however, Ivo downplays the role of neocons in this shift. He notes that most of the Vulcans and almost all of Bush's principals could not be described as neocons (they occupied key positions in the media, intellectual circles, as well as Cheney and Rumsfeld's staffs). Rather, he emphasizes the split in the administration between assertive nationalists like Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld and multilateral realists like Powell and maybe Rice. Assertive nationalists are hawks who believe that the US and the world are better off if the US exerts unfettered power in pursuit of its interests, unbound by institutions and formal alliances. They do not share the neocons' enthusiasm for nation-building, humanitarian intervention, and democracy promotion; they are focused on eliminating national security threats first and foremost. This argument is useful for demonstrating that the WMD-terror-rogue state threat was no mere pretext for the Iraq War but the driving reason that united most of the Cabinet behind the invasion. I think information came out following this book that suggests a greater role for the neocons than Ivo suggests, but overall he is right to downplay the "neoconservative hijacking" thesis. However, once you get the alliance between assertive nationalists and neocons in support of the Bush doctrine and the Iraq War, it sure becomes hard to see what the gosh darn difference is between them. To be explored in greater depth in my dissertation.

Overall this is one of the best books to emerge from the years shortly after 9/11. I agree with it about 90%, although I'd have to recommend more updated books about the entirety of this period over this early sketch. Still, it is very impressive and useful, especially for students of the second Bush administration and USFP in general. Definitely a great lecture tool for the 9/11-March 2003 period.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent and very accessible study of American foreign policy under President George W Bush, it is concise and well researched and serves as a great analysis of the significant shift in American foreign policy that occurred on the election of George W Bush as President. It explains his own policy stance, and details those around him and their own worldviews. My only slight criticism is that it does appear to be slightly partisan in regard to Bush himself, none-the-less, still a very useful documentation of the period for anyone who wants a succinct account of the time. It was easy to read and had a good narrative throughout.

[Sebastian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daalder, Ivo H., and James H. Lindsay, America Unbound: The Bush Revolution in Foreign Policy (Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution, 2003). Knappe analyse, knap geschreven. Een van de beste boeken over het onderwerp. Cijfer: 8. Gelezen: 2003/4.

[Kevin Warman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daalder and Lindsay offer an insightful and captivating read. Through thourough research the authors cut away at much of the complexity found in Bush's decision-making. I would recommend to anyone fascinated with foreign policy.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and insightful account of the Bush doctrine and his war cabinet in the lead up to and during Iraq. Should be read to enlighten anyone who considers Bush simply a blundering fool.... (that's not to say he's not a blundering fool, but he's far more intelligent than people think)

[Danielle]

Exposes just how stupid our country's admin. is