PLIR 3400 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Steven Pinker, Diminishing Returns, Robert Gates
18 Aug 2016
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Pro france and anti-britain but not much of a vision or grand strategy. Jefferson doctrine (became president 25 years after he"d written the declaration of independence) Fought the first barbary war against libyan state sponsors of piracy (partially victorious) Failed to recognize the leaders of haiti"s successful slave revolt when they declared themselves the world"s second republic. You hit singles, you hit doubles; every once in a while we may be able to hit a home run . Five permanent members of the un security council: us, uk, france, China: don"t do stupid stuff would not be a terrible summary. Historical context (ex, nixon is coming off of the vietnam war - has lost tons of soldiers - so links with the nixon doctrine) When obama comes in, we"re coming off the iraq/afghani wars. Truman - when wwii is over, world is decimated, us is only superpower with nuclear weapons so easy to say we"ll defend freedom everywhere.
