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America Unbound: The Bush Revolution in Foreign Policy
A splendidly illuminating book.
— The New York Times Like it or not, 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 once imposed on its freedom of action. In America Unbound, Ivo Daalder and James Lindsay caution that the Bush revolution comes with serious risks–and, at some point, we may find that America’s friends and allies will refuse to follow his lead, leaving the U.S. unable to achieve its goals. This edition has been extensively revised and updated to include major policy changes and developments since the book’s original publication.
— The New York Times Like it or not, 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 once imposed on its freedom of action. In America Unbound, Ivo Daalder and James Lindsay caution that the Bush revolution comes with serious risks–and, at some point, we may find that America’s friends and allies will refuse to follow his lead, leaving the U.S. unable to achieve its goals. This edition has been extensively revised and updated to include major policy changes and developments since the book’s original publication.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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About the author
Ivo H. Daalder
27 books20 followersIvo Daalder served on the national security council staff in the Clinton administration and is now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. His most recent book, America Unbound: The Bush Revolution in Foreign Policy (with James M. Lindsay) won the 2003 Lionel Gelber Prize.
Daalder was educated at the University of Kent, Oxford University, and Georgetown University, and received his Ph.D. in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He was fellow at Harvard University's Center for Science and International Affairs and the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. He received a Pew Faculty Fellowship in International Affairs and an International Affairs Fellowship of the Council on Foreign Relations. Daalder was an associate professor at the University of Maryland's School of Public Affairs, where he was also director of research at the Center for International and Security Studies. He was a Senior Fellow in foreign policy studies at the Brookings Institution from 1997 to 2009, where he was a specialist in European security, transatlantic relations, and national security affairs.
Daalder was educated at the University of Kent, Oxford University, and Georgetown University, and received his Ph.D. in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He was fellow at Harvard University's Center for Science and International Affairs and the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. He received a Pew Faculty Fellowship in International Affairs and an International Affairs Fellowship of the Council on Foreign Relations. Daalder was an associate professor at the University of Maryland's School of Public Affairs, where he was also director of research at the Center for International and Security Studies. He was a Senior Fellow in foreign policy studies at the Brookings Institution from 1997 to 2009, where he was a specialist in European security, transatlantic relations, and national security affairs.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 3, 2017
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.
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.
April 19, 2022
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.
November 19, 2017
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.
April 26, 2019
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.
April 5, 2012
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)
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January 29, 2008Exposes just how stupid our country's admin. is
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews