Why America Misunderstands the World - National Experience and Roots of Misperception

Drawing a fascinating line from colonial events to America's handling of modern international terrorism, Pillar shows how presumption and misperception turned Finlandization into a dirty word in American policy circles, bolstered the "for us or against us" attitude that characterized the policies of the George W. Bush administration, and continue to obscure the reasons behind Iraq's close relationship with Iran. Fundamental misunderstandings have created a cycle in which threats are underestimated before an attack occurs and then are overestimated after they happen. By exposing this longstanding tradition of misperception, Pillar hopes the United States can develop policies that better address international realities rather than biased beliefs.

List of contents

Preface
1. The American Prism
2. Behind the Ocean Moats
3. Abundance and Power
4. The Successful Society
5. Searching for Monsters to Destroy
6. Unending Misperception
Notes
Index

About the author

Paul R. Pillar is nonresident senior fellow at the Center for Security Studies of Georgetown University. He served in several senior positions with the CIA and the National Intelligence Council and is a retired army reserve officer. He is the author of Intelligence and U.S. Foreign Policy: Iraq, 9/11, and Misguided Reform; Terrorism and U.S. Foreign Policy; and Negotiating Peace: War Termination as a Bargaining Process.

Summary

Paul R. Pillar ties the American public's misconceptions about foreign threats and behaviors to the nation's history and geography, arguing that success occurs in spite of, not because of, the public's worldview. By exposing this longstanding challenge, Pillar hopes the United States can develop policies that better address international realities.

Additional text

This insightful book will be of use to any student of international relations and foreign policy, particularly at the introductory level. In fact, its clarity and conciseness makes it accessible to a wider, public audience who would do well to educate themselves on the foreign policies that are entwined in their lives.

Product details

• Authors: Paul Pillar, Pillar Paul
• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.08.2018
• EAN: 9780231165914
• ISBN: 978-0-231-16591-4
• No. of pages: 224
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political theories and the history of ideas; USA, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Geopolitics, POLITICAL SCIENCE / History & Theory, POLITICAL SCIENCE / International Relations / Diplomacy, Geopolitics, HISTORY / United States / General, HISTORY / Historical Geography, POLITICAL SCIENCE / American Government / National, Political science & theory, Diplomacy, United States of America, USA, History of the Americas, Political science and theory, Central / national / federal government, Historical Geography, Central government