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Title: Promoting Polyarchy: Globalization, US Intervention, and Hegemony (Cambridge Studies in International Relations)
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Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
List Price: $65.00
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| Customer Reviews: |
| Promoting Polyarchy: Globalization, US Intervention, and Hegemony (Cambridge Studies in International Relations) by Cambridge University Press The Myth of Democracy Promotion |
| Robinson has written a truly intellectual book on democracy and democracy promotion. While the world debates whether or not the US government can or cannot promote democracy, Robinson demonstrates that Washington has a history of trouncing rather than promoting democracy. US policymakers have over the years desired pro-US regimes that hold elections rather than truly democratic governments, since truly democratic government may run counter to US interests. His book is a sober and much needed addition to the democratization literature that is mired in an unhealthy acceptance of elections and democratic values as the major characteristics of democracy. |
| Promoting Polyarchy: Globalization, US Intervention, and Hegemony (Cambridge Studies in International Relations) by Cambridge University Press He doesn't even know what the word means! |
The word "polyarchy" means "rule by many," as opposed to "oligarchy" - "rule by the few" - and "monarchy" - "rule by one." The author talks about rule by the few - oligarchy - but assigns it a word that actually means the opposite - polyarchy. It stands to reason that if he doesn't even know the meaning of a word in the title then his book probably isn't the best source for intelligent information and analysis.
I see though that two people gave this book five star reviews. Maybe this shows just how much our educational system has been dumbing everyone down. Or maybe it shows that some people have been living in an Orwellian paradigm for so long that they're accustomed to being told that black is white. Maybe both... |
| Promoting Polyarchy: Globalization, US Intervention, and Hegemony (Cambridge Studies in International Relations) by Cambridge University Press Brilliant exposition of US policy and the global order |
| In this difficult but extremely provocative and scholarly work, William I. Robinson presents a new model for understanding US foreign policy and the emergent global society as a whole. The crux of his thesis is this: US foreign policy has changed in the last twenty years or so from open support of authoritian regimes in countries where the US has economic and/or strategic interests to a program of "democracy promotion" that strives to place minority elite groups who are responsive to the interests of the United States and transnational capital at the head of the political, economic, and civic structures of "third world" countries. Contrary to popular opinion (and that of much of academia), the real goal of democracy promotion, or what Robinson refers to as "promoting polyarchy", is not the promotion of democracy at all, but rather the promotion of the interests of an increasingly transnational elite headed by the US who seek open markets for goods and an increase in the free flow of capital. This marks a conscious shift in foreign policy in which the US now favors "consensual domination" by democratically elected governments rather than authoritarian leaders and the type of "crony capitalism" made famous by the likes of Ferdinand Marcos and Anastacio Somoza. The first sections of the book introduce numerous theoretical concepts (drawing heavily on the theories of the Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci, in particular his theory of hegemony) that are crucial to the understanding of the text. I personally found these sections extremely difficult but well worth the time it takes to read certain parts several times. Robinson then goes on to document four case studies-- the Phillipines, Chile, Nicaragua, and Haiti-- each of which fleshes out his conceptual framework in much more concrete terms. The result is a disturbing picture of US foreign policy and the current direction of "globalization." I would highly recommend this to anyone with a strong interest in foreign affairs and/or the future of humanity. |
| Promoting Polyarchy: Globalization, US Intervention, and Hegemony (Cambridge Studies in International Relations) by Cambridge University Press Great for students interested in International Studies! |
| Robinson gives a detailed account of the United States position concerning foriegn affairs where Latin America and other developing nations are concerned. He is thorough and the book proves to be a great reference guide as well as provocative reading. |
| Promoting Polyarchy: Globalization, US Intervention, and Hegemony (Cambridge Studies in International Relations) by Cambridge University Press Product Description |
| Promoting Polyarchy is an exciting, detailed and controversial work on the apparent change in US foreign policy from supporting dictatorships to promoting "democratic" regimes. William I. Robinson argues that behind this facade, US policy upholds the undemocratic status quo of Third World countries. He addresses the theoretical and historical issues at stake, and uncovers a wealth of information from field work and hitherto unpublished government documents. Promoting Polyarchy is an essential book for anyone concerned with democracy, globalization and international affairs. |
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