This thoughtful, controversial book, by one of the country's leading Latin America scholars, examines the fundamental tenets and ideologies behind America's policy towards Latin America over the course of the last three administrations. Howard Wiarda, who has served as a consultant for the State Department, the Department of the Army, the National Security Council, the Kissinger Commission, and the White House, is ideally situated to provide an insider account of policy decisions and process during the Reagan-Bush era. The combination of Wiarda's academic background and his hands-on knowledge of Washington practices and processes results in a volume that is extremely readable and will serve as a vital link between the scholarly and policymaking communities. Wiarda supplements his incisive analysis on the role of the military in Latin America, shifting U.S. strategic policy, democracy and human rights, and the problems presented by dictators in decline with illuminating case studies of Mexico, Cuba, Nicaragua, South America, and the Caribbean. The result is a book that will be of interest to both scholars and students of American foreign policy and Latin American studies, as well as policymakers and analysts.

The contributors to this work examine the evolution of U.S. foreign policy toward the Third World, and the new policy challenges facing developing nations in the post-Cold War era. The book incorporates the key assessment standards of U.S. foreign policies directed toward critical regions, including Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. Through this region-by-region analysis, readers will get the information and insight needed to fully understand U.S. policy objectives - especially with regard to economic and security issues in the wake of 9/11 - vis a vis the developing world. The book outlines both successes and failures of Washington, as it seeks to deal with the Third World in a new era of terrorism, trade, and democratic enlargement. It also considers whether anti-Western sentiment in Third World regions is a direct result of U.S. foreign policies since the end of the Cold War.

Providing a balanced and interdisciplinary interpretation, this comprehensive reader traces the troubled U.S. Latin American relationship from the beginning of the nineteenth century to the post 9/11 period. Thoroughly revised and updated, the second edition includes original essays on critical issues such as immigration and the environment. In addition, a new section helps students understand the most important themes and topics that unify and divide the United States and Latin American nations today. The readings are framed by the editors' opening chapter on the history of the relationship, part introductions, and abstracts for each selection. Methodologically interdisciplinary, yet comparative and historical in organization and structure, this collection will benefit students and specialists of Latin America's complex historical, social, and political relationship with its northern neighbor."

A survey of the historical literature on intelligence and national security during the Cold War.

Focusing on development in Latin America and recent breakthroughs and setbacks to democracy in the region, noted policy expert Howard J. Wiarda here collects new and previously published pieces examining the complex issues of U.S.-Latin American relations.

In this book, Dr. Orrin Schwab develops the concept of the modern technocratic state as part of a global technocratic culture and civilization. The author argues that technocratic cultural and institutional forms were, and are, part of a collective ?script? for Western culture. The American script, combined the scientific, commercial, and technological aspects of the Enlightenment with the radical 17th century Protestant belief in America as a new Zion. In the twentieth century, the synthesis of mission, along with global technocratic knowledge and institutions, created the Wilsonian liberal technocratic order. As the principal agent and protector of the modern capitalist international system, America, the self-defined Redeemer Nation, has moved through the controlled anarchy of international relations, from one war and crisis to the next, confirmed in its self-defined role and mission.

"Companion volume to superb work edited by Martz (1988) which follows its excellent example. Thirteen prominent scholars offer important critique of US policy, exploring processes, key bilateral relations, and critical problems in context of dramaticallychanging Latin American and evolving post-Cold War period"--Handbook of Latin American Studies, v. 57.

Since World War II, American vice presidents have played an ever-increasing role in the nation's foreign policy. This study of the foreign-policy activities of five key vice presidents--Richard Nixon, Walter Mondale, George Bush, Dan Quayle, and Al Gore--provides the first comprehensive analysis of the role of the vice president in foreign-policy affairs. In order to bring readers to a better understanding of this role, Paul Kengor asks incisive questions: Did the vice presidents' involvement in foreign policy actually benefit the administration? If so, what useful lessons can be drawn from their experiences? Is there good reason to approve or reject an enhanced role in foreign policy for future vice presidents? How, specifically, might the vice president be used in conducting the nation's international affairs? The answers to these questions are crucial reading for scholars of the presidency and foreign policy, for policy makers, and for all of us assessing vice presidents past and future.

"In Development on the Periphery, noted textbook author Howard J. Wiarda tackles the important question of development in Southern and Eastern Europe. Comparing the two regions gives us insight into the similarities and differences that have united and separated them for thousands of years."--Jacket.