America town : building the outposts of empire / Mark L. Gillem.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gillem, Mark L.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Military bases, American--Foreign countries.

Military bases, American.

Military bases, American--Social aspects.

Land use--United States--Planning.

Land use.

Suburbs.

Public opinion.

Foreign countries.

United States.

Planning.

Land use--Government policy--United States.

Land use--Government policy.

Suburbs--Public opinion.

Physical Description:

xx, 350 pages : illustrations, maps ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Minneapolis : University of Minnesota Press, [2007]

Summary:

American servicemen and servicewomen are currently stationed in more than 140 countries, from Central America to Western Europe to the Middle East, often living and working on military bases that not only dominate foreign territories but also re-create familiar space that "feels like home." Throughout America Town, Mark L. Gillem demonstrates how the excesses of American culture are strikingly evident in the way that the U.S. military builds its outposts. The defense of the United States, he reveals, has created mini-Americas that inhibit cultural understanding between U.S. troops and our allies abroad.

Contents:

Part I Empire's Reach

1 Empires across Time 3

2 Pax Americana: The "New" Empire 16

3 Spillover: The U.S. Military's Sociospatial Impact 34

Part II Familiarity on the Frontlines

4 Homeward Bound: Identity, Consumption, and Place 73

5 Ruling the World: Exporting Bureaucracy, Privatization, and Fear 121

Part III Outposts under Construction

6 Reinforcing the Southern Flank: Aviano 2000 173

7 Rewarding Realignment: South Korea's Land Partnership Plan 201

8 Reacting to Rape: Japan's Special Action Committee Okinawa 232.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 311-332) and index.

ISBN:

9780816649525

0816649529

9780816649532

0816649537

OCLC:

104886757

Online:

Publisher description