Mixed messages : American politics and international organization, 1919-1999 / Edward C. Luck.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Luck, Edward C.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

League of Nations.

United Nations.

Public opinion.

History.

United States--Foreign relations--20th century.

United States.

International relations.

United States--Politics and government--1945-1989.

Politics and government.

United States--Politics and government--1989-.

United Nations--History.

League of Nations--History.

United Nations--Public opinion.

League of Nations--Public opinion.

Public opinion--United States--History--20th century.

Political culture--United States--History--20th century.

Political culture.

Physical Description:

xvii, 374 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : Brookings Institution Press, [1999]

Summary:

At the turn of the century, the United States is on the verge of losing its vote in the General Assembly for non-payment of its arrears. There are eerie parallels between the domestic debate over the United Nations in 1999 and the struggles over the League of Nations in 1919. Why, many ask, are Americans the first to create international organizations and the first to abandon them? What is it about the American political culture that breeds both the most ardent supporters and the most vocal detractors of international organization? And why can't they find any common ground?

In seeking to uncover the roots of American ambivalence toward international organization, this political history presents the first major analysis of U.S. attitudes toward both the United Nations and the League of Nations. It traces eight themes that have resurfaced again and again in congressional and public debates over the course of this century: exceptionalism, sovereignty, nativism and racism, unilateralism, security, commitments, reform, and burden-sharing. It assesses recent domestic political trends and calls for the development of two interactive political compacts -- one domestic and one international -- to place U.S.-UN relations on a new footing.

Contents:

The price of uncertainty and division

Special nation, peerless and indispensable

National interests, sovereignty, and global governance

Enemies within, enemies without

America in loyal opposition

Dilemmas of force

Keeping the peace: national interests and international commitments

Reform for all seasons

Who should pay for the UN?

The political landscape

Old realities, new opportunities.

Notes:

"A Century Foundation Book."

Includes bibliographical references (pages 307-361) and index.

ISBN:

081575308X

0815753071

OCLC:

41404328