Description
Book SynopsisForeign policymakers frequently invoke historical analogies to make and justify decisions in the belief that history teaches particular lessons. Yet historians and philosophers are not so sure. Arthur Schlesinger once wrote that, ''Santayana''s aphorism must be reversed; too often it is those who can remember the past who are condemned to repeat it.'' Condemned to Repeat It addresses six historical myths that underwrote U.S. containment policy during the Cold War. The collapse of the Soviet empire seemed to confirm the wisdom of U.S. containment policy and these ''lessons of history'' as universal truths that still influence U.S. foreign policy thinking today. 1) A European states system based on realism, balance-of-power, raison d''etat, and great power diplomacy did not keep a ''long peace'' from 1815 to 1914. 2) The punitive Versailles Treaty with Germany did not cause the rise of Adolf Hitler and World War Two. 3) Erroneous analogies to Neville Chamberlain''s failed attempt to ave
Trade ReviewIt is a balanced analysis that puts U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War in perspective. Most useful to students and scholars interested in U.S. foreign policy, and for philosophical discussions that focus on how history can be used to guide policy makers in the 21st century. Recommended. * CHOICE, November 2008 *
This important book demonstrates how politicians and diplomats in the post Second World War era used and abused historical analogies?about the Munich and Yalta conferences, the Vietnam War, and President Reagan's arms build up?to promote cold war policiesthat did more to spur conflict than to advance a constructive containment policy. Current and future policymakers would be well served to read this incisive work about the so-called 'lessons of history' so that they might avoid condemning their nation and fellow citizens to perpetual conflicts that serve no vital national interests. -- Arnold A. Offner, Cornelia F. Hugel Professor of History, Lafayette College
This important book demonstrates how politicians and diplomats in the post Second World War era used and abused historical analogies—about the Munich and Yalta conferences, the Vietnam War, and President Reagan's arms build up—to promote cold war policies that did more to spur conflict than to advance a constructive containment policy. "Current and future policymakers would be well served to read this incisive work about the so-called 'lessons of history' so that they might avoid condemning their nation and fellow citizens to perpetual conflicts that serve no vital national interests." -- Arnold A. Offner, Cornelia F. Hugel Professor of History, Lafayette College
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Metternich, Bismarck, and the Myth of the Nineteenth-Century "Long Peace" Chapter 2 The Myth of the Versailles Treaty and the Origins of World War II Chapter 3 Munich: The Iron Law of Diplomacy Chapter 4 The Real Meaning of Yalta Chapter 5 U.S. Containment Policy and the Second "Long Peace" Chapter 6 Reagan, Star Wars, and the Fall of Communism Chapter 7 The Containment Myths and U.S. Foreign Policy in the Twenty-first Century
