U.S. Foreign Policy: Shield of the Republic.

by Walter Lippmann

"Can the United States make foreign commitments without a foreign policy and the force to back it up?"

Genres: Nonfiction, International Relations, World War II

177 pages, Textbook Binding

First published January 1, 1943

About the author

Walter Lippmann was an American intellectual, writer, reporter, and political commentator who gained notoriety for being among the first to introduce the concept of Cold War. Lippmann was twice awarded (1958 and 1962) a Pulitzer Prize for his syndicated newspaper column, "Today and Tomorrow."

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look into the history of US foreign policy as understood during the middle of World War II. You can understand Lippmann's argument of what will become the permanent members of the UN Security Council. As we move into a new vision of a post 9/11 world, some of these concepts still hold true.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lippmann’s thesis that the US failed to adjust its foreign policy despite significant geopolitico change is relevant today specifically with the rise of China as a regional power.

[Dave Beeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

t's 1943 and the U.S. is heading to full\war production. In this book Mr.Lippmann tries to uncover why we are in the position, once again, whereby the United States is not ready for the war with the Japanese Empire and Germany. Lippmann statement is we have not had a good foreign policy since the Monroe Doctrine in 1823; which would not have been successful without assistance from the British. Using a package of assists to various countries we have managed to muddle through to 1943. His solution: Get entangled with treaties from those allies that we need for U.S security. Ensure that the treaties are written as such that we will not become engaged in local fire fights unless our security is threatened. For good reason he has selected the following countries as must have allies: Great Britain, Russia and
China. Great Britain the gateway to Europe and protects, along with the U,S., the northern trade routes to the U..S. and Europe. Russia need to be an ally because we share a common border in the far north. Also, Russia is the only power that can disrupt the Atlantic nations. China is needed to provide security in the far east because Japan will be destroyed in the current war. This is a time when we still had control over the Philip[pines and required assistance in the far east. He makes it clear that it will take China some time to get to the level needed to accomplish this role. As second tier countries we should seek alliances with are Denmark (they owned Iceland and Greenland) and Brazil is the closest point between Africa and South America.
It is interesting to look back on something that was written in 1943 and compare it with the world of today, Mr. Lippmann wasn't that far off.