American Exceptionalism and the Legacy of Vietnam examines the influence of the belief in American exceptionalism on the history of U.S. foreign policy since the Vietnam War. Trevor B. McCrisken analyzes attempts by each post-Vietnam U.S. administration to revive the popular belief in exceptionalism both rhetorically and by pursuing foreign policy supposedly grounded in traditional American principles. He argues that exceptionalism consistently provided the framework for foreign policy discourse but that the conduct of foreign affairs was limited by the Vietnam syndrome.
Autorentext
TREVOR B. MCCRISKEN is Lecturer in American Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford, UK. He is also a Research Fellow at the Rothermere American Institute, Oxford.
Zusammenfassung
American Exceptionalism and the Legacy of Vietnam examines the influence on post-Vietnam U.S. foreign policy of the belief in American exceptionalism - the notion that the U.S. is an extraordinary nation with a special role to play in human history, not only unique but superior among nations. Trevor B. McCrisken argues that although belief in American exceptionalism was shaken, it survived the trauma of Vietnam and continued to influence foreign policy in the Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton administrations. Exceptionalist beliefs consistently provided the framework for foreign policy discourse under each President, but the legacy of Vietnam also placed limits on the conduct of foreign affairs. The foreign policy and rhetoric of each post-Vietnam administration is analysed with a particular focus on U.S. interventions in Grenada, Panama, the Gulf War, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo and elsewhere. The connections between the Vietnam syndrome and the belief in American exceptionalism are also explored.
Inhalt
Acknowledgements American Exceptionalism: An Introduction The End of American Exceptionalism? The Cold War and Vietnam Gerald Ford and the Time for Healing Jimmy Carter - Morality and the Crisis of Confidence Ronald Reagan - 'America is Back' George Bush - the 'Vision Thing' and the New World Order Bill Clinton and the 'Indispensable Nation' Conclusions: American Exceptionalism and the Legacy of Vietnam Notes Select Bibliography Index