Democratic transition and human rights
Subtitle: perspectives on  U.S. foreign policy
By: Sara Steinmetz.
Publisher: State University of New York Press
Published: 1994
Place of publication: Albany
Language: eng
Number of pages: 284
Subjects: Civil rights; Human rights; Democracy; United States -- Foreign relations
Description: This book analyzes U.S. foreign policy in relation to human rights and democratic development abroad. Its purpose is to determine if, and how, human rights policies, or their neglect, have led to Realpolitik successes for the United States. In addition, it addresses the issue of how Washington might best respond to challenges in which a choice apparently must be made between support for democracy and preservation of U.S. national interests.

Through a comparative analysis of Iran under the Shah, Nicaragua under the Somozas and the Philippines under Marcos, Steinmetz evaluates the effectiveness of American priorities in authoritarian states that were perceived to protect U.S. interests.

Rejecting the policy prescriptions of the neoconservative and neorealist schools, she concludes that protection of human rights abroad is desirable, not because of its moral implications per se, but because of its positive contributions to the preservation of U.S. national interests.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 257-278) and index.