Exiting The Whirlpool

by Robert A. Pastor

In this second edition of Exiting the Whirlpool, Pastor explores the continuities and the changes in U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America under Presidents Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. Whereas many foreign policy volumes neglect the role of Congress, Pastor devotes an entire chapter to explaining how it has shaped policy. Next, he looks at the recurring challenges that have often pulled the United States into the destructive whirlpool—how the United States has tried but often failed to manage succession crises, pre-empt or undermine revolutionaries, promote or manipulate elections, and encourage or neglect the region’s economic development. Pastor offers a series of far-reaching policy recommendations for exiting the whirlpool and forging a hemispheric community of democracies within a free trade area. The first edition was widely acclaimed. The second is thoroughly updated, offering analyses and recommendations for addressing the contemporary democratic and security challenges facing the hemisphere.

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jimmy Carter's ambassador to Latin American countries: an arch bureaucrat, ever the cautiously optimistic and politically correct Establishment rational fellow, of course. The distant view from top down, a shirt and tie citing the mistakes of political opponents, Reagan and Bush 1, pushing globalization and regional 'cooperation' without addressing the dark side reported in John Perkins, Noam Chomsky, Chalmers Johnson, Muhhammed Yunnus, etc.

[Mike Blick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pastor brings a first hand knowledge to US / Latin American relations. The book covers the Carter through Clinton administrations. Pastor is a better than average writer.