From an acclaimed conservative historian and former military officer, a bracing call for a pragmatic confrontation with the nation's problems
The Limits of Power identifies a profound triple crisis facing America: the economy, in remarkable disarray, can no longer be fixed by relying on expansion abroad; the government, transformed by an imperial presidency, is a democracy in form only; U.S. involvement in endless wars, driven by a deep infatuation with military power, has been a catastrophe for the body politic. These pressing problems threaten all of us, Republicans and Democrats. If the nation is to solve its predicament, it will need the revival of a distinctly American approach: the neglected tradition of realism.
Andrew J. Bacevich, uniquely respected across the political spectrum, offers a historical perspective on the illusions that have governed American policy since 1945. The realism he proposes includes respect for power and its limits; sensitivity to unintended consequences; aversion to claims of exceptionalism; skepticism of easy solutions, especially those involving force; and a conviction that the books will have to balance. Only a return to such principles, Bacevich argues, can provide common ground for fixing America’s urgent problems before the damage becomes irreparable.
Rantings of an anti AmericanDecember 1, 2008 0 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is a nihilistic work finding fault with every sector of the American society, making no helpful recommendations. I made 2 mistakes, buying,@but even worse, reading it
ExtraordinaryNovember 26, 2008 I purchased this book after seeing an interview with Dr. Bacevich on C-span.
The insight provided by the author reveals the devious and often incompetent strategies and actions of our leaders throughout our history.
Our propensity for using military might rather than diplomacy is outlined and has a much longer history than one might suspect.
It is compelling reading and I am about to buy more of the author's books which I will share with my grandsons.
American greed and illusions about freedom is the real problem?November 26, 2008 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Our illusions of grandeur driven by greed have caused us to reach beyond our grasp thus all the foreign policy disasters. The author urges Americans to a wake up and see reality as he and Reinhold Niebuhr see it and create a "nonimperial foreign policy" (assuming we have curbed our greed). This smaller more modest foreign policy would feature a "new" strategy of containment. It worked against communism. It will work against Islamic extremism. But will it? Old historic formulas many times do not work in a new world. Can't we just go back and fight the Cold War again history tells how to do it. But that could be an Andrew J. Bacevich illusion. The challenge from Islamic extremism is so vastly different. Contain what to where? Not even a page about that. Look to this book for hard hitting criticism from a Reinhold Niebuhr point-of-view but not for viable foreign policy alternatives. An unreasoned pull-back of our grasp could create a whole new set of unintended nasty consequences.
A tough but limited analysisNovember 25, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Andrew Bacevich has written a thought-provoking and approachable analysis of America's expansionist policies and their consequences. The book makes the clear-headed case that the long-term solutions to America's (our) military misadventures in the Middle East and elsewhere will come from more cogent and integrated strategies and as importantly from addressing other domestic problems, such as our personal and public indebtedness (our dependence on foreign financing) and our use of energy (our dependence on foreign oil). The take-away message is that we must learn to live within our means, not only in terms of our budgets but also in terms of our foreign and military policy.
Far and away, the strength of the book is the way that it draws historical parallels to show that today's problems have antecedents in decisions made during more "successful" periods of U.S. history. Bacevich is a master at drawing on details of our foreign policy and military history; his insights on these key earlier decisions alone more than justify the price of the book.
The weakness of the analysis is its unremitting negative tone. The politicians and advisors with whom you disagree get skewered, but so do those whom you might admire. Bacevich succeeds in pointing out mistakes, advocates for more comprehensive and realistic analyses of threats and opportunities, but never shows how actual human beings or systems would necessarily come up with better solutions. His eventual message to live within our means and to approach the use of military force more cautiously are consistent with this implied low regard for political decision-making. However, he overlooks some of the risks of caution, which is itself a policy decision.
The Limits of PowerNovember 25, 2008 The facts are presented in a logical, well thought out manor. All facts have references to verify their accuracy. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who wants to gain an understading of why our country is where we are today and how we got there.
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