Overview

Noted historian Robert G. Kaufman contends that the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, shattered the optimism so prevalent in the United States during the tranquil and prosperous 1990s. President George W. Bush's controversial grand strategy for waging a preemptive Global War on Terror has ignited passionate debate about the purposes of American power and the nation's proper role in the world. In Defense of the Bush Doctrine offers a vigorous argument for the principles of moral democratic realism that inspired the Bush administration's policy of regime change in Iraq. Kaufman connects the Bush Doctrine and current issues in American foreign policy to the deeper tradition of American diplomacy, drawing from positive lessons as well as cautionary tales from the past. Two key premises shape Kaufman's case for the Bush Doctrine's conformity with moral democratic realism. The first premise is the fundamental purpose of American foreign policy since its inception: to ensure the integrity and vitality of a free society ""founded upon the dignity and worth of the individual."" The second premise is that the cardinal virtue of prudence (the right reason about things to be done) must be the standard for determining the best practicable American grand strategy. In Defense of the Bush Doctrine provides both scholars and lay readers a broader historical context for the post-September 11 American foreign policy that will transform world politics well into the future.In Defense of the Bush Doctrine provides both scholars and lay readers a broader historical context for the post-September 11 American foreign policy that will transform world politics well into the future.

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9780813124346

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Reviews

<p> Robert Kaufman's short and provocative book provides and interesting and timely defense of what is perhaps become one of the most contentious concepts in international politics. -- Andrew J. Futter, University of Birmingham, Political Studies Review

Robert Kaufman's short and provocative book provides and interesting and timely defense of what is perhaps become one of the most contentious concepts in international politics. -- Andrew J. Futter, University of Birmingham, Political Studies Review The author has compiled, better than anywhere else that I have seen, a systematic explanation of the Bush Doctrine and its moral and historical foundations. -- Modern Age Kaufman offers a much needed, well-reasoned defense of the present Bush doctrine in the Middle East. As Kaufman shows, for all the heartbreak in our present efforts in Iraq, ultimately it remains the best practical and moral course to foster some third way other than either autocracy or theocracy. -- Victor Davis Hanson, author of A War Like No Other: How the Athenians and Spart The best part of Kaufman's book is his critical analysis of alternatives, in U.S. grand strategy, to the Bush doctrine, whose moral democratic realism entails the prudent application of American power to replace dangerous regimes in the Middle East. -- Library Journal (starred review) Kaufman presents a thoughtful, comprehensive case. It ranks as the most histocially powerful support of Mr. Bush and his doctrine, including the Iraq war. -- Washington Times This is a very well-grounded defense of the Bush Doctrine. It is scholarly and political in the best sense of both terms. Those who disagree (as I do) will be challenged and informed. -- Robert Jervis, author of American Foreign Policy in a New Era A very interesting book, based on a fresh concept of 'moral democratic realism, ' that distinguishes Kaufman's work from that of Charles Krauthammer, William Kristol, Robert Kagan, Francis Fukuyama, and others. A helpful and clarifying book. -- Michael Novak, coauthor of Washington's God and author of The Spirit of Democ Kaufman is passionate without being polemical, and is quite evenhanded, consistently pointing out arguments and examples that disagree with his point of view. This is a provocative book written by a first-rate mind. -- John Robert Greene, Historian President Bush could use an unapologetic argument for his foreign policy these days, and this is it...[Kaufmann] makes a persuasive case. -- The Weekly Standard An important book about the central issue of our time. -- Senator Joe Lieberman In this excellent new book, Kaufman describes the Bush approach to foreign policy as the latest example of what he calls moral democratic realism, an approach he attributes to FDR, Truman, and Reagan as well. -- National Review Kaufman's fine book is required reading for thoughtful candidates and citizens alike. -- George Weigel, Catholic Exchange

Kaufman is passionate without being polemical, and is quite evenhanded, consistently pointing out arguments and examples that disagree with his point of view. This is a provocative book written by a first-rate mind. -- John Robert Greene, Historian

Author Information

Robert G. Kaufman, professor of public policy at Pepperdine University, is the author of numerous publications, including Henry M. Jackson: A Life in Politics. He is a former Bradley Scholar and current adjunct scholar at the Heritage Foundation.

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