Description
Book SynopsisTraces the history of Republican Party foreign policy since World War II by focusing on the conservative leaders who shaped it. This title shows how Republicans shifted away from isolationism in the years leading up to World War II and oscillated between realism and idealism during and after the cold war.
Trade Review"In Hard Line, a masterful account of the evolution of Republican foreign policy over the last 70 years, Colin Dueck identifies several historical factions within the Republican party: the isolationists, who are heirs to Sen. Robert Taft; the realists, who continue the approach best-identified with the presidency of Richard Nixon; and the hawks and nationalists, who acquired greater prominence in the Reagan years and were best-represented in the administration of George W. Bush."--Nikolas K. Gvosdev, World Politics Review "Colin Dueck's thorough analysis of the foreign-policy views of Republican political leaders since World War II has two aspects. As history, it is informative, objective, and broadly useful... He presents a careful, detailed policy analysis of Republican presidents starting with Eisenhower, and includes leaders like Goldwater and Taft who significantly shaped party thinking even without the Oval Office... [A]s we enter another presidential season, it is worth remembering Dueck's central insight about the importance of presidential discretion in shaping foreign policy."--John Bolton, former U.S. representative to the United Nations, National Review "[W]hat a remarkable job of historical synthesis this work embodies. I have hurriedly added large sections of it to my class in the politics of US foreign policy and am sure many other teachers will do likewise."--Timothy J. Lynch, H-Diplo ISSF Roundtable Reviews "Dueck has written a book that combines solid scholarship with an explicitly political message... [A] thoughtful, well-informed, nuanced, and highly readable analysis."--Choice "Those wishing to learn more about how Republicans view the world and America's place in it should read Hard Line. Clear, balanced and comprehensive, the book provides an interesting perspective on how Republicans develop and implement their foreign policy vision... Hard Line is an impressive book."--John Shaw, Washington Diplomat "Hard Line is an impressive account of the history of Republican and conservative foreign policy thinking over the past 60 years."--Tom Switzer, American Review "Colin Dueck's superbly written history of Republican American presidents since the end of World War II is a fine introduction to American conservatism and American presidential politics alike... Dueck brilliantly conflates the recent history of political thought, the emergence of new and powerful lobbies, party and domestic politics, and public diplomacy with the performance of Republican presidents."--Dustin Dehez, Journal of Global Analysis "Hard Line is an incisive and balanced examination of Republican foreign policy over the past six decades and a persuasive argument on behalf of adherence to a prudent conservative realism as the cornerstone of future US foreign policy in a dangerous world."--Mackubin Thomas Owens, Journal of Strategic Studies "Hard Line provides a solid overview of Republican foreign policy since World War II. Its author synthesizes numerous well-known sources into a readable narrative."--Sarah Mergel, Journal of American Studies "This book is a welcome addition to the literature on American foreign policy in general and on Republican foreign policy in particular... Colin Dueck has succeeded in debunking certain inaccurate, though commonly held, perceptions of Republican foreign policy."--Francis D. Raska, European Legacy
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments vii Introduction Conservative Traditions in U.S. Foreign Policy 1 Chapter One: Republicans, Conservatives, and U.S. Foreign Policy 11 Chapter Two: Robert Taft The Conservative as Anti- Interventionist 39 Chapter Three: Dwight Eisenhower The Conservative as Balancer 85 Chapter Four: Barry Goldwater The Conservative as Hawk 117 Chapter Five: Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger Realists as Conservatives 142 Chapter Six: Ronald Reagan The Idealist as Hawk 187 Chapter Seven: George H. W. Bush The Conservative as Realist 232 Chapter Eight: George W. Bush The Nationalist as Interventionist 265 Conclusion: Republicans and U.S. Foreign Policy in the Age of Obama 290 Notes 323 Index 359
