Rogue Nation: American Unilateralism and the Failure of Good Intentions: Amazon.co.uk: Clyde V. Prestowitz: Books

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Publication Date: Jun 2003 | ISBN-10: 0465062792 | ISBN-13: 978-0465062799 | Edition: 1st

A timely and stinging indictment of the Bush administration's foreign policy, from one of Washington's most-cited intellectuals and political analysts. During the six months prior to the World Trade Center attack, the United States walked away from a treaty to control the world traffic in small arms, the Kyoto accords, a treaty to combat bioterrorism, and many other international agreements. After 9/11 there was a flurry of coalition building, but Europe and Asia quickly came to see the conflict in Afghanistan as an American war with Tony Blair leading cheers from the sidelines. Recent American calls to action in Iraq have only reinforced international perception that the U. S. plans to remain a solitary actor on the world stage. Despite our stated good intentions--the causes of justice and democracy--we have become the world's largest rogue nation. The Bush administration did not invent the American tradition of unilateralism, but, Clyde Prestowitz argues, they have taken it to unprecedented heights. Rogue Nation explores the historical roots of the unilateral impulse and shows how it helps shape American foreign policy in every important area: trade and economic policy, arms control, energy, environment, drug trafficking, agriculture. Even now, when the need for multilateral action--and the danger of going it alone--has never been greater, we continue to act contrary to international law, custom, and our own best interests.

#outer_postBodyPS { display: none; } #psGradient { display: none; } #psPlaceHolder { display: none; } #psExpand { display: none; } A timely and stinging indictment of the Bush administration's foreign policy, from one of Washington's most-cited intellectuals and political analysts. During the six months prior to the World Trade Center attack, the United States walked away from a treaty to control the world traffic in small arms, the Kyoto accords, a treaty to combat bioterrorism, and many other international agreements. After 9/11 there was a flurry of coalition building, but Europe and Asia quickly came to see the conflict in Afghanistan as an American war with Tony Blair leading cheers from the sidelines. Recent American calls to action in Iraq have only reinforced international perception that the U. S. plans to remain a solitary actor on the world stage. Despite our stated good intentions--the causes of justice and democracy--we have become the world's largest rogue nation. The Bush administration did not invent the American tradition of unilateralism, but, Clyde Prestowitz argues, they have taken it to unprecedented heights. Rogue Nation explores the historical roots of the unilateral impulse and shows how it helps shape American foreign policy in every important area: trade and economic policy, arms control, energy, environment, drug trafficking, agriculture. Even now, when the need for multilateral action--and the danger of going it alone--has never been greater, we continue to act contrary to international law, custom, and our own best interests.

Product details

Hardcover: 328 pages
Publisher: Basic Books; 1st edition (Jun 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0465062792
ISBN-13: 978-0465062799
Product Dimensions: 24.3 x 16.4 x 2.7 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,464,559 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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"Prestowitz has done us an enormous service by pointing out that the men and women who call themselves conservatives today are truly radicals who have alienated America's friends everywhere." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating look into US foreign policy 21 Aug 2003

By Tobias Rooney

Format:Hardcover

If only 10% of what is revealed is true it is a serious criticism of US foreign policy. The book covers a wealth of areas from free trade, through the environmental movement to, inevitably Israel and Iraq. The writing is excellent - engaging, rhythmical and concise. Maintaining the reader's interest, it provides a clarity of argument and demonstrates a lucidity of thought that highlights the author's grasp and experience of the subject. This is no rant against the Great Satan from the outer fringe but a cool cross examination hitting the defendant with case after case from the heart of democracy.

The book's great strength is in it's measured analysis, understanding the flaws of many of the international treaties and weaknesses of opposing governments, as well as recognising the great strengths of American democracy and the virtues invested in it by the rest of the world. It is precisely this lack of a villian that makes the argument so chilling, a gradual wandering off the path of good intentions leading to this rogue nation.

For a serious peak under the carpet of US democracy this book is a must read.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dreams of a world order 22 Dec 2003

By Stephen A. Haines HALL OF FAME

Format:Hardcover

It's symbolic of something that a man of Prestowitz's credentials feels compelled to speak out against American adventurism. As a trade negotiator [among his other talents], he utilises history, a knowledge of current conditions and assess likely future trends to accomplish his goals. He certainly displays those skills, coupled with a fluent writing style, in this warning of America weakening itself with self-inflicted wounds. He is a global traveller and a keen sampler of opinion. His general conclusion is that, as individuals, Americans are liked, even respected. As a nation, expressing policies in the international arena, America is worse than a "loose cannon" - it's a nation blundering dangerously out of control. America makes decisions heedless of its neighbours near or far. And too many of those decisions appear arbitrary and self-contradictory. Prestowitz, even as a defender of his nation, glosses over nothing. That approach grants him a credibility that his past political and economic orientation might have eroded.

The author wants Americans to consider how others view them. Military power and imperial arrogance, coupled with an extravagant lifestyle, inhibit caring about others’ opinions, he admits. Survival, he asserts, makes the effort essential. He contrasts the typical day of an American cotton planter with that of his African equivalent. It's a stark comparison. Americans may console themselves with the apparently stumbling efforts of the European Union and the strength of the single currency. Prestowitz reminds us that to Europeans, the goals are clear and will be achieved, even if the journey isn't initially smooth. America, by contrast, relies on a dollar losing adherents and an international policy of "America only"....

Prestowitz provides a clear background for nearly every major policy decision made by administrations since the end of World War II. Instead of simply lambasting the Bush administration for unilateralism, the author carefully outlines the roots of both policies and national attitudes. His approach thus encompasses more than merely Dubya's short-sighted ploys by showing how deeply some American policies are ingrained by past actions. That neither justifies their unnatural persistence, nor necessarily prevents change, according to Prestowitz. All that is really needed, it seems, is to read this book, understand its message, and demand change from policy makers. That sounds deceptively simplistic, but a reading of Prestowitz shows that change can be accomplished by listening, understanding and acting. British and European policy-makers can benefit from this book. The effort will be meaningful for all our long-term survival. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada] Read more ›

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Rogue Nation 27 Dec 2003

By "horgangoumas"

Format:Hardcover

This book should be recommended reading for all American college students. It provides a balanced view (often missing from today's debate) of the reasons for inceasingly strained relations between the United States and the rest of the world, especially with its close allies. It outlines in some detail, without boring the reader, the missed opportunities, and why in some cases, the US is acting against its own best interests. In this vein, it is a shame that the author does not go into the thorny issue of Cuba in the same way he explains the power of the pro-Israel lobby in the US Congress. Overall, I'm glad I bought and read this book.

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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Conservative critique of American Foreign Policy 4 Sep 2003

By simonlloyd

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

As my title indicates Clyde Prestowitz (the author)has impeccable Conservative credentials and heads a right-wing think tank in the US. Therefore, it should be and is surprising that a person such as this would choose to right a book so critical of America and especially her foreign policy. But, it is percisely because of his love of country and is lack of polemic that he is able to write such a satisfactory book, that is balanced in its analysis and emminently readable whatever your political persuasion. There are problems: he is a bit unfair on free trade and puts possibly (sadly) to much emphasis on the role of the EU. But at times his assessment of the failure of US foreign policy is exceptional. Highlights include he's account of the US role in Israel and America's energy problems. What Prestowitz argues is that America could be a virtual ruler of the world as the Romans were, but he does not believe that this would be best for America of the rest of the world. It is this insight that really makes the book interesting. If only all American conservatives were like this.

A must read for anyone in Washington and beyond.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and pretty balanced view 19 July 2012

By Marand TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have had this book on my shelves for some while and finally got round to reading it recently. I did wonder whether it would be worthwhile given that international events have moved on since the book was written in the latter part of 2002. Whilst it is in one sense outdated, what is there remains valid, in fact probably more valid in the wake of the Iraq war.

The interesting thing is that Prestowitz is an American conservative. His Conservative credentials are impeccable - a Republican, a former diplomat and trade negotiator, counsellor in the Reagan administration, born-again Christian. He is concerned that non-Americans increasingly see the US as a rogue nation in the sense of being uncontrollable and accountable to no-one. His concerns are not just in the political & military sphere, but also environmental issues and globalisation. The aim is to "try to explain to baffled and hurt Americans why the world seems to be turning against them and also to show foreigners how they frequently misinterpret America's good intentions." He despairs of the widening gulf between America and its friends "as we Americans listen but do not hear, and look but don't see, the concerns and perspectives of other countries and at the same time also fail to recognize how some of our behaviour flouts our own values."

Prestowitz runs through all of the major issues and explains the US thinking/decision-making: Israel, Middle East, free trade and globalisation, US inconsistency in its dealings with different countries or even the same countries at different times (most notably Iraq & Afghanistan). He also shows the dangers of alienating China. It takes in the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s, US farm subsidies and the impact on trade negotiations.... As the author comments about the US request to Japan to 'voluntarily' limit exports of cars and TVs to US, "This was a cynical and hypocritical way of continuing to profess the virtue of free trade while enjoying the forbidden fruit of protectionism".

Prestowitz is particularly good in the field of environmental measures. He sees the US failure to adopt fuel efficient vehicles and impose stringent emissions controls as damaging to its relations with the rest of the world whilst at the same time exposing itself to the need to import oil from the politically unstable Middle East. The upshot is that if the US did adopt a more restrictive approach then it wouldn't be a net oil importer and would have greater security. He does cut the US some slack in not ratifying Kyoto on the basis that the treaty would not achieve the necessary signatures for ratification (in fact the protocol did meet the signature requirements, largely because of comments made by Bush, and the US was left in the role of environmental enemy).

It has to be said, that whilst this is a more balanced approach than some books on this subject, there is more explanation for Americans as to why the rest of the world might be wary than there is showing non-Americans why US action might be legitimate on a wider footing than pure US self-interest. An international survey conducted in 2002 indicates the extent of the problem - 75% of Americans think the US considers other countries when formulating foreign policy whereas majorities in the rest of the world thinks the opposite. The survey showed the mistrust of the US showed the steepest increase in countries which had previously viewed the US very positively (including UK, Canada, Japan). One unnamed British ambassador is quoted as saying that "America always preaches the rule of law, but in the end it always places itself above the law".

The book is certainly good at setting out what has happened and how this has affected attitudes towards America, albeit the story needs now to be updated to reflect the huge damage done as a result of Iraq. I think the author is less good at putting forward solutions. He does set out an agenda for change on a conservative basis. Some of this just seemed pie in the sky - in essence he is calling for greater US humility including an acceptance that not everyone wants to be like an American. At times also he seemed to have more faith in the European Union as a power block than is the case. Somewhat strangely he seemed to think that the Euro is the universal currency in Europe and that there is a realistic prospect for a common foreign policy. I can't believe he thought there was a common currency throughout all of the EU so perhaps he was over-egging the pudding to emphasise a point for Americans.

Overall, despite being a little outdated, the book is worth reading, in particular as it reflects opinion coming from the American right and is a balanced analysis in a field where this isn't always in evidence. Read more ›

Rogue Nation: American Unilateralism and the Failure of Good Intentions [Hardcover]

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