The pre-emptive empire : a guide to Bush's kingdom / Saul Landau.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Landau, Saul.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States--Foreign relations--2001-2009.

United States.

International relations.

United States--Military policy.

Military policy.

United States--Politics and government--2001-2009.

Politics and government.

Bush, George W. (George Walker), 1946-.

Bush, George W.

War on Terrorism, 2001-2009.

Physical Description:

ix, 182 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

London ; Sterling, Va. : Pluto Press, 2003.

Summary:

This is an entertaining read from one of America's foremost cultural and political commentators. It will appeal to everyone who is disenchanted with the cynicism of George W. Bush's government -- and to anyone who wants a serious but refreshingly funny account of the alarming state of current American politics. The Pre-Emptive Empire covers all the topical and controversial issues -- terrorism, the war on Iraq, oil and the economy, Enron and corporate fraud, Chile and Pinochet, Cuba and Castro, Israel and the Middle East, the IMF, the environment and globalization. Dynamic and incisive, Landau brings the debate to life with humor and intelligence. His focus on the issues should be the meat of the daily headlines. Saul Landau offers a scathing account of George W. Bush's world before and after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He dissects the blatant imperialism of U.S. international policy, and shows how Bush's use of patriotism obfuscates debate in Congress and the media. In times like these, as dissenting voices are stifled and the public are denied access to the facts about their own security, Landau argues that democracy itself is under threat. Landau delves into the erosion of civil liberties and the proliferation of empire under the guise of pre-empting the scourge of terrorism. He asks whether the already fragile world economy can survive in the new "security" culture. Above all, Landau makes a convincing case for the necessity of activism -- the book is not only funny but is also a ringing call for citizens to participate in making their own history.

Contents:

Leaving the Republic behind

The Empire strikes back

Between Iraq and a hard place: the oily empire stomps through the Middle East

Latin America: the imperial economic model, obedience and terrorism

Cuba: the last hold out

The move to war

Final thoughts: stop shopping, looking in the mirror and worrying about your spare tires and cellulite and make your own history.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 171-172) and index.

ISBN:

0745321402

OCLC:

52341897