American Exceptionalism and the Legacy of Vietnam
Subtitle: US Foreign Policy Since 1974
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Published: April 3, 2004
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 320
ISBN-13: 9780333970140
Subjects: American history: postwar, from c 1945 -; International relations; Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000; c 1970 to c 1980; c 1980 to c 1990; c 1990 to c 2000; Political Science; Politics / Current Events; Politics/International Relations; USA; International Relations - General; Political Science / General; General; 1945-1989; 1989-; 20th century; Foreign relations; History; Influence; National characteristics, American; Nationalism; United States; Vietnam War, 1961-1975; Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975
Description: "American Exceptionalism and the Legacy of Vietnam examines the influence on post-Vietnam US foreign policy of the belief in American exceptionalism--the notion that the US is an extraordinary nation with a special role to play in human history: not only unique but also 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 US 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."--Jacket.