Charting a New Diplomatic Course: Alternative Approaches to America's Post-cold War Foreign Policy(Political Traditions in Foreign Policy S.)

Now that the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the defeat of communism has made the "containment" policy - the foundation of US foreign relations for almost a half century - obsolete, policymakers and political scientists alike struggle to decide what new strategy should guide the country's involvement on the international stage. In this work, Cecil V. Crabb, Jr., Leila S. Sarieddine and Glenn J. Antizzo identify and analyze six distinct approaches to America's diplomatic course after the Cold War, addressing perhaps the most important question of our time: what should US foreign policy be in the 21st century? First, the authors examine the familiar doctrine of American isolationism and consider an alternative approach, conservative neo-isolationism, which encourages policymakers to use careful discrimination but decisive action in assuming commitments abroad. Liberal neo-isolationism, a third possible course, resists active interventionist strategies because of the dangers they pose to congressional power and America's democratic system. At the opposite end of the spectrum are conservative interventionism, the belief that America must maintain a strong military arsenal and engage in "preventative diplomacy"; liberal interventionism, the conviction that America should actively promote the cause of democracy; and pragmatic interventionism, an approach - taken by the Clinton administration - that relies on a cost/benefit analysis of policy as problems arise. Elegantly written and authoritatively researched, "Charting a New Diplomatic Course" provides a much-needed frame of reference for anyone interested in America's future in international affairs.

Table of Contents:
Now that the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the defeat of communism has made the "containment" policy - the foundation of US foreign relations for almost a half century - obsolete, policymakers and political scientists alike struggle to decide what new strategy should guide the country's involvement on the international stage. In this work, Cecil V. Crabb, Jr., Leila S. Sarieddine and Glenn J. Antizzo identify and analyze six distinct approaches to America's diplomatic course after the Cold War, addressing perhaps the most important question of our time: what should US foreign policy be in the 21st century? First, the authors examine the familiar doctrine of American isolationism and consider an alternative approach, conservative neo-isolationism, which encourages policymakers to use careful discrimination but decisive action in assuming commitments abroad. Liberal neo-isolationism, a third possible course, resists active interventionist strategies because of the dangers they pose to congressional power and America's democratic system. At the opposite end of the spectrum are conservative interventionism, the belief that America must maintain a strong military arsenal and engage in "preventative diplomacy"; liberal interventionism, the conviction that America should actively promote the cause of democracy; and pragmatic interventionism, an approach - taken by the Clinton administration - that relies on a cost/benefit analysis of policy as problems arise. Elegantly written and authoritatively researched, "Charting a New Diplomatic Course" provides a much-needed frame of reference for anyone interested in America's future in international affairs.

About the Author :
Cecil V. Crabb, Jr., a political science alumnus of Vanderbilt University where he earned his M.A. and Johns Hopkins University, where he earned his Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of political science at Louisiana State University. Some of his other books include American Foreign Policy in the Nuclear Age (Harper & Row, 1960) and Presidents and Foreign Policy: FDR to Reagan (LSU Press, 1986). He lives in Baton Rouge. Leila S. Sarieddine is assistant professor of political science at Southern University in Baton Rouge. She earned her B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in political science at Lebanese University, East Tennessee State University, and Louisiana State University, respectively. Glenn J. Antizzo is an alumnus of Cornell University, where he earned his B.A. in government; University of Georgia, where he earned his M.A. in political science; and Louisiana State University, where he earned his Ph.D. in political science. He is assistant professor of government at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana.