The New Mandarins of American Power: The Bush Administration's Plans for the World [Paperback]

Alex Callinicos (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0745632750 | ISBN-13: 978-0745632759 | Publication Date: December 22, 2003 | Edition: 1

In this timely book, Alex Callinicos explores the real meaning of the Bush Doctrine. He deconstructs the rhetorical justifications of the ‘war on terrorism’ and analyses the strategy of the Republican neoconservatives who now dominate American foreign policy.

• A controversial and provocative view on an extremely timely and important topic.
  
• Examines the neo-conservative foreign policies of the Bush administration and the "Project for the New American Century".
  
• Highly topical
  
• Builds on the success of Callinicos’ previous book with us – An Anti-Capitalist Manifesto.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Essential reading for those who have fought against war over the past two years and who see it as the defining issue of our age."

Socialist Review

"This contemporary history by the UK's leading orthodox Marxist intellectual provides a satisfying narrative of the neo-conservative ascendance that enabled the second Iraq war ... New Mandarins of American Power is engaging, accessible and incisive."

Thomas Daniels, Red Pepper

"Deeply informed, balanced, and full of insights, this perceptive inquiry explores the rational basis for the aggressive unilateralism of the Bush administration that has frightened much of the world, arguing plausibly that it" is based on a largely accurate reading of the long-term economic and geopolitical threats facing US capitalism". It more than fulfills its goal of contributing to 'an understanding of the strange and frightening world' that is taking shape."

Noam Chomsky

"Of all those seeking to make sense of rampant American power, Alex Callinicos succeeds, outstandingly with his razor-sharp analysis and eloquent warning to us all."

John Pilger

From the Back Cover

American power has become the dominant issue in world politics. The Anglo-American conquest of Iraq has reinforced growing fears that the United States under George W. Bush is determined to use the military might of the Pentagon to impose its will.

In this timely book, Alex Callinicos explores the real meaning of the Bush Doctrine. He deconstructs the rhetorical justifications of the ‘war on terrorism’ and analyses the strategy of the Republican neoconservatives who now dominate American foreign policy. Their main aim, he suggests, is less to combat terrorism than to use US military supremacy to intimidate and discipline potential competitors. This is the latest episode, Callinicos argues, in the long history of capitalist imperialism. The neoconservative ‘Project for the New American Century’ seeks to perpetuate the global domination of US-style neoliberal capitalism: it can only be effectively resisted once this is understood.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Polity; 1 edition (December 22, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0745632750
• ISBN-13: 978-0745632759
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,813,436 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Neocons by any other name., September 1, 2007

By 

Jeffrey C. Gillespie "artmaven" (Santa Fe, NM, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The New Mandarins of American Power: The Bush Administration's Plans for the World (Paperback)

A well-written and well-researched commentary on an often misunderstood foreign policy, Alex Callinicos "New Mandarins" outlines, in strong historical terms, the purpose and intentions behind the Bush Administration and it doctrine of pre-emptive war in cases where "the U.S. or its allies are threatened by terrorists or by rogue states".

Drawing on the intellectual theories of University of Chicago New Conservative Leo Strauss, as well as his disciples Richard Armitage, Paul Wolfowitz, and others, Callinicos makes an excellent non-biased, research driven comment, and one that really articulates the intellectual argument for neo-conservatism, which still did not convince this leftist that the Bush leadership is anything other than corrupt and morally reprehensible.