POLI 244 Lecture Notes - Lecture 61: Jeremiad, September 11 Attacks, Realpolitik
Document Summary
The bush doctrine and the iraq war: neoconservatives versus realists. By: brian c. schmidt and michael c. williams. Neo-conservatives: deflect realist arguments against going to war in iraq, alternatives that run up to conflict. Bush doctrine seeks to preserve its hegemonic position for the indefinite future. Neoconservatives view american omnipotence and leadership as a prerequisite for an orderly and peaceful world. Bush doctrine"s commitment to military force: deter and defend against threats. During cold war, neoconservatives never fully supported policy of deterrence. Bush doctrine had strong proponents of what was the revolution in military affairs: believed that the us could rely on stealth technology and small but mobile ground forces to win quickly and decisively. Argue that the invasion of iraq would direct attention away from the real threat of al qaeda and campaign against the taliban in afghanistan. Bush doctrine the key rationale for iraq war. American national interests with universal principles led the us foreign policy to blunder.