Behind the Invasion of Iraq [Paperback]

The Research Unit for Political Economy The Research Unit for Political Economy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2003 | ISBN-10: 1583670939 | ISBN-13: 978-1583670934 | Edition: 1

"This book contributes significantly ot the conversation seeking to understand the international forces at play in the threatening war on Iraq."
—Nelson Mandela

"Behind the Invasion of Iraq . . .synthesizes the seemingly disparate threads of the U.S. war drive in a blistering indictment of American foreign policy . . .The effect is of puzzle pieces clicking into place."
—Counterpunch

Since September 11, 2001, there have been many accounts of the ways in which the alignment of global power is changing or will be changed by the U.S.'s "war on terrorism." Most of them take as their starting point the options facing the wealthy and powerful nations of the world seeking to control an ever larger share of the world's resources. Behind the Invasion of Iraq is written from a different perspective, and one that makes possible a far more comprehensive point of view.

Its authors, Research Unit for Political Economy, are rooted in the politics of a Third World country—India—which has long been on the receiving end of imperialist power. As a consequence, they have a more sober view of the workings of global power. In clear and accessible prose, weighing the evidence carefully and tracing events to their root causes, they move beyond moral outrage to a clear view of the process being set in motion by the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. They show that the invasion of Iraq is a desperate gamble by a section of the U.S. ruling elite to preserve their power, driven by the wish to stave off economic crisis through military means. Their efforts will not end with Iraq, but will require the recolonization of the middle East.

Behind the Invasion of Iraq exposes the idea that war will bring democracy to the Middle East as so much propaganda. In a context where so many rulers are themselves clients of the United States, the war is aimed not at the rulers but at the masses of ordinary people whose hostility to imperialism has not been broken even by corrupt and autocratic rulers. This book describes the remaking of global power with a truly global awareness of what is at stake.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book contributes significantly ot the conversation seeking to understand the international forces at play in the threatening war on Iraq."---Nelson Mandela,

"Behind the Invasion of Iraq . . .synthesizes the seemingly disparate threads of the U.S. war drive in a blistering indictment of American foreign policy . . .The effect is of puzzle pieces clicking into place.">---Counterpunch,

About the Author

The Research Unit for Political Economy is based in Mumbai, India. It publishes the journal, Aspects of India's Economy and a range of research publications in English and Hindi.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Monthly Review Press; 1 edition (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583670939
• ISBN-13: 978-1583670934
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #183,791 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Middle East > Iraq
  • #27 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Political Science > General
  • #42 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Politics > History & Theory

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WELL RESEARCHED FACTUALLY CORRECT BOOK, April 15, 2003

By 

Bhaskar Majee (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Behind the Invasion of Iraq (Paperback)

The Research Unit for Political Economy (R.U.P.E.), located Bombay India is a registered public trust. It operates on voluntary labor and limited finances raised from personal contributions. It is not associated or influenced by any political wing of India or any other country.

RUPE analyses theoretical and empirical levels of various aspects of the economic life of India and its institutions. The journal published by them does an excellent job to present esoteric information in a simple manner to enable people to understand the actual mechanics of their every day economic life.

Behind the Invasion of Iraq is an exception to their usual array of topics published in their journal titled "Aspects of India's Economy".

They have done an excellent job in presenting a comprehensive view of the invasion of Iraq. I feel the book is great because unlike conspiracy theory books, RUPE states facts and also quotes the sources from where it gathered the information. Hence this is factual eye opener rather than speculation.

I feel this is one of the few books that have done justice to put different pieces of the puzzle (economics, finance, foreign exchange and military invasions) together with historically correct data. Now an average person on the street will have an understanding of global politics and its ramifications on their life.

This book has also been commended on many military intelligence websites. No doubt it is well-researched publication.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Description, April 10, 2003

By 

Monthly Review Press (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Behind the Invasion of Iraq (Paperback)

"This book contributes significantly to the conversation seeking to understand the international forces at play in the threatening war on Iraq." - NELSON MANDELA

"Behind the Invasion of Iraq . . . synthesizes the seemingly disparate threads of the US war drive in a blistering indictment of American foreign policy . . . The effect is of puzzle pieces clicking into place." - COUNTERPUNCH

Since September 11, 2001, there have been many accounts of the ways in which the alignment of global power is changing or will be changed by the U.S. "war on terrorism." Most of them take as their starting point the options facing the wealthy and powerful nations of the world seeking to control an ever larger share of the world's resources. Behind the Invasion of Iraq is written from a different perspective, and one that makes possible a far more comprehensive point of view.

Its authors, the Research Unit for Political Economy, based in Mumbai, India, are rooted in the politics of a Third World country which has long been on the receiving end of imperialist power. As a consequence, they have a more sober view of the workings of global power. In clear and accessible prose, weighing the evidence carefully and tracing events to their root causes, they move beyond moral outrage to a clear view of the process being set in motion by the U.S. led invasion of Iraq. They show that the invasion of Iraq is a desperate gamble by a section of American capital to secure their hold on power that is driven by the wish to stave off economic crisis through military means. Their efforts will not end with Iraq, but will require the recolonization of the Middle East.

Behind the Invasion of Iraq exposes the idea that war will bring democracy to the middle East as so much propaganda. In a context where so many rulers are themselves clients of the United States, the war is aimed not at the rulers but at the masses of ordinary people whose hostility to imperialism has not been broken even by corrupt and autocratic rulers. This book describes the remaking of global power with a truly global awareness of what is at stake.

Table of Contents

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Western Imperialism and Iraq
From Colony to Semi-Colony
Towards Nationalization
The Iran-Iraq War
The Torment of Iraq
Return of Imperialist Occupation
3. The Real Reasons for the Invasion of Iraq-and Beyond
The Current Strategic Agenda of the United States
Home Front in Shambles
Military Solution to an Economic Crisis
4. Rehabilitating Colonialism
Notes
Index

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the one that pulls all the threads together, April 29, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Behind the Invasion of Iraq (Paperback)

Reading this thoroughly researched, clearly argued volume was a revelation. For the first time I understood the entire spectrum of motives behind the US invasion. Since reading it, I've discovered a new ability to discern the meaning behind the headlines. I should add -- though it's sad to say so -- that events since its publication have in all cases confirmed its analysis and predictions.

Must read.