Fractured States and U.S. Foreign Policy: Iraq, Ethiopia, and Bosnia in the 1990s [Hardcover]

Evelyn Farkas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 8, 2003

When does the US support partition of a warring or failing state? Why has the US supported partition for some secessionists, or irredentists, but not for others? Is it a policy of last resort or are there certain variables that are strong determinants of this position right from the start? This book seeks to answer these questions by examining US policy toward secessionist movements in three countries during the first decade following the end of the Cold War: Iraq, Ethiopia, and Bosnia-Hercegovina.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Very few secessionist movements in the last half-century have succeeded
in establishing their own internationally recognized states. In part, this is
because the international community, and leading states in particular, have
been reluctant to convey their material support or political recognition to
such efforts. Farkas' book takes the reader inside the political decision
making process of one key actor, the United States. In doing so, she confirms
that some concerns are as important as expected (e.g., regional security), but
also critically that other factors thought to be significant in US foreign
policy making (e.g., interest groups) were peripheral at best in US decisions
to support or withold support from partition proposals."
-- Paul F. Diehl, Professor of Political Science, University of Illinois

This timely study constitutes an outstanding contribution to the literature on ethnic conflict and contemporary U.S. foreign policy. Based on meticulous research, first-hand work in Bosnia in 1996, and focused on the ethno-religious wars that swept across Bosnia in the 1990s, as well as the 1991 conflicts in Iraq and Ethiopia, this volume provides a truly unique analysis and resource for understanding how and why states are partitioned.
-- Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr.
President, Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis, and
Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of International Security Studies
The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University

From the Inside Flap

"Very few secessionist movements in the last half-century have succeeded in establishing their own internationally recognized states. In part, this is because the international community, and leading states in particular, have been reluctant to convey their material support or political recognition to such efforts. Farkas' book takes the reader inside the political decision making process of one key actor, the United States. In doing so, she confirms that some concerns are as important as expected (e.g., regional security), but also critically that other factors thought to be significant in US foreign policy making (e.g., interest groups) were peripheral at best in US decisions to support or withold support from partition proposals." -- Paul F. Diehl, Professor of Political Science, University of Illinois This timely study constitutes an outstanding contribution to the literature on ethnic conflict and contemporary U.S. foreign policy. Based on meticulous research, first-hand work in Bosnia in 1996, and focused on the ethno-religious wars that swept across Bosnia in the 1990s, as well as the 1991 conflicts in Iraq and Ethiopia, this volume provides a truly unique analysis and resource for understanding how and why states are partitioned. -- Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr., President, Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis, and Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of International Security Studies The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; 1 edition (November 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1403963738
• ISBN-13: 978-1403963734
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,104,775 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent book, October 27, 2004

By 

Jamie F. Metzl "Jamie Metzl" (Kansas City, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fractured States and U.S. Foreign Policy: Iraq, Ethiopia, and Bosnia in the 1990s (Hardcover)

Evelyn Farkas has written a brilliant book about how we should think about separatist movements in decided countries, and what the United States can do to prevent the type of secessionist wars that have destroyed societies and ruined millions of lives around the world. This book is a must read for policy makers who will be dealing with divided states, and for anyone interested in thinking deeply about what can be done to prevent the disasters that have occurred in places like Bosnia and Ethiopia. I could not recommend this book more highly.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Hand Account, February 27, 2004

By 

"sochisbuff9" (NY, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fractured States and U.S. Foreign Policy: Iraq, Ethiopia, and Bosnia in the 1990s (Hardcover)

As an avid student of history and politics, I really enjoyed reading this author's analysis of US policy and learning about ethnic conflict and how it affects individuals and families.

I now have a deeper understanding of the issues that the US is faced with around the world including the current situation in Iraq.

What makes this book truly special is the author's ability to incorporate a first hand account of many events. Clearly this author can talk the talk and walk the walk.

I strongly encourage anyone interested in a deeper understanding of the US Governments policy making engine and/or ethnic conflict and how it effects those caught in the crossfire to purchase this book.