Synopses & Reviews
This is a wide-ranging discussion of American efforts to recast the international order in its own political image. The contributions given by a distinguished group of analysts are as diverse as they are challenging to traditional ways of thinking about US democracy promotion. As we enter into the 21st century with American hegemony intact, it is vital to understand what drives the world's last remaining superpower, and this original study helps us do precisely that by exploring in detail and depth one of the more contentious and least understood aspects of American foreign policy.
Review
"Consisting of fifteen illuminating essays, American Democracy Promotion offers a vigorous debate about the current direction of U.S. Foreign Policy. Anyone interested in international affairs-which should be all of us-should read this truly path-breaking book."--Douglas Brinkley, University of New Orleans
"This is a probing and fascinating examination of the role of democracy-promotion in the past history and current practice of United States foreign policy. For anyone interested in this subject, this book is indispensable."--Melvyn Leffley, University of Virginia
"This superb collection of essays tackles the swirl of debates and questions surrounding the post-Cold War American promotion of democracy...hugely impressive...It represents the most important published attempt to come to grips with an issue which lies at the heart of contemporary international politics."--The World Today
"Exceptionally valuable and thoughtful book...since the end of the Cold War, US rhetoric about the promotion of democracy has assumed new force and some new funding. Fifteen scholars here investigate the current state of play."--International Affairs
Table of Contents
Introduction,
Michael Cox, G. John Ikenberry and Takashi InoguchiPart I: US Democracy Promotion in Theory
1. Peace, Liberty and Democracy: Realists and Liberals Contest a Legacy, Michael Doyle
2. US Democracy Promotion: Realist Reflections, Randall Schweller
3. US Democracy Promotion: Critical Questions, Steve Smith
Part II: Democracy Promotion as US Grand Strategy?
4. National Security Liberalism and American Foreign Policy, Tony Smith
5. America's Liberal Grand Strategy: Democracy and National Security in the Post-War Era, G. John Ikenberry
6. America's Identity, Democracy Promotion and National Interests: Beyond Realism, Beyond Idealism, Henry Nau
Part III: US Democracy Promotion: the Domestic Context
7. Promotion of Democracy as a Popular Demand?, Ole R. Holsti
8. Taking Stock of US Democracy Assistance, Thomas Carothers
9. High Stakes and Low Intensity Democracy: Understanding America's Policy of Promoting Democracy, Jason Ralph
10. Wilsonianism Resurgent? The Clinton Administration and the Promotion of Democracy, Michael Cox
Part IV: US Democracy Promotion in Practice
11. Russia: Limping along towards American Democracy?, Peter Rutland
12. Three Frameworks in Search of a Policy: US Democracy Promotion in Asia-Pacific, Takashi Inoguchi
13. The Impasse of Third World Democratization: Africa Revisited, Georg Sorensen
14. Promoting Capitalist Polyarchy: The Case of Latin America, William Robinson
15. American Power, Neo-Liberal Globalization and Low Intensity Democracy: an Unstable Trinity, Barry Gills