American Foreign Policy Consensus at Home, Leadership Abroad

Subjects:

• Political Science » International Relations
• Political Science » American Politics/Government
• History » American Diplomatic History
• History » American History -- 1946 to Present

Reviews:

• Von Vorys is successful in demonstrating how the conduct of US diplomacy has deteriorated in recent years....
  —The International History Review

• Endorsement From Admiral Wesley L. McDonald, USN (Ret.)
  Former Supreme Allies Commander Atlantic
  Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command
  Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet: A 'must' read book, not only for our foreign service professionals or for our Armed Service and DOD leadership, but for anyone who is interested in U.S. foreign policy. Karl von Vorys, through exacting research and detailed factual reconstruction of the most critical international incidents faced by the United States in the recent past, has brought forward a powerful work that allows readers to develop an assessment of the impact our foreign policy has had in building a 'consensus at home' and 'leadership abroad.' Additionally, the breadth of the author's knowledge has provided a highly readable, interesting and understandable book for the lay person--and even manages a light touch. By far the best in-depth review of this critical element of our nation's future credibility, viability, and ultimate survivability.
• Endorsement From Milton J. Esman
  John S. Knight Professor Emeritus of International Studies
  Cornell University: Von Vorys is to be congratulated for his outline of American foreign policy that harnesses America's unique power to be the realization of a decentralized world order that respects the dignity and enhances the material well-being of all peoples.... [This book] combines well-informed, hard headed insights into critical global issues such as nuclear proliferation, the alleviation of poverty, and the management of ethnic conflict with the realities of diverse world areas from China and Latin America to Africa, Russia, and the Pacific Rim. [The book] never loses sight of the grander purposes that must animate a foreign policy that is worthy of America's traditions and its unique responsibilities as the world's most powerful nation. This book will be 'must' reading for students, practitioners, and attentive observers of American foreign policy and international relations.
• Endorsement From David Eisenhower: In this vital book...von Vorys proceeds to sketch the recurring themes in American foreign policy debates. He sketches out the barriers and hazards--historic and institutional--to an effective and sustainable American foreign policy. No one has made the case for a vigorous American foreign policy more persuasively or more memorably. This book is 'must' reading for the scholar and general reader alike.

Table of Contents:

• Introduction
• The Conduct of Foreign Policy
• An Exasperating Challenge
• Anatomy of a Decision: The Persian Gulf Crisis
• Rebuilding the Consensus at Home
• National Security
• The Soviet Menace
• Friends: A Good Idea
• Across the North Atlantic
• South of the Border
• Global Order: An Historic Challenge
• Decentralized World Order
• Return to Power Politics
• Conclusion: Toward Leadership Abroad
• Bibliography
• Index