America Alone
The Neo-Conservatives and the Global Order

Examines the neo-conservative movement in the US and discovers cautions against it.

Stefan Halper (Author), Jonathan Clarke (Author)

9780521838344, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 June 2004

384 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.5 cm, 0.73 kg

'… America Alone pulls no punches. It argues forcefully, though in a temperate tone and with compelling documentation … It deserves to be read by all who are puzzled by the reckless damage an arrogant coterie of ideologues has done to the greatest country in the world.' The Independent

America Alone explores how George W. Bush's election, and the fear and confusion of September 11, 2001, combined to allow a small group of radical intellectuals to seize the reins of US national security policy. It shows how, at this 'inflection point' in US history an inexperienced president was persuaded to abandon his campaign pledges (and the successful consensus-driven, bi-partisan diplomacy that managed the lethal Soviet threat over the past half-century) and adopt a neo-conservative foreign policy emphasizing military confrontation and 'nation-building'. To date, the costs - in blood, money and credibility - have been great and the benefits few, with traditional conservatives deploring Bush's approach. America Alone outlines the costs in terms of economic damage, distortion of priorities, rising anti-Americanism, and reduced security. Then it sets out an alternative approach emphasizing the traditional conservative principles of containing risk, consensus diplomacy and balance of power.

1. The neo-conservatives: a new political interest group
2. Origins and early development
3. The nineties: from near-death to resurrection
4. The neo-conservative association
5. The false history
6. Outreach to the media and evangelicals
7. Iraq: the false pretenses
8. America: perception and counter perception
9. The neo-conservative 'World War IV' and its impact on American society
10. The balance sheet and looking ahead
Appendix.

Subject Areas: Terrorism, armed struggle [JPWL], Political control & freedoms [JPV], International relations [JPS], Political leaders & leadership [JPHL], Politics & government [JP]