Promoting Polyarchy: Globalization, US Intervention, and Hegemony (Cambridge Studies in International Relations) [Paperback]

William I. Robinson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521566916 | ISBN-13: 978-0521566919 | Publication Date: September 13, 1996

Promoting Polyarchy is an exciting, detailed and controversial work on the apparent change in US foreign policy from supporting dictatorships to promoting "democratic" regimes. William I. Robinson argues that behind this facade, US policy upholds the undemocratic status quo of Third World countries. He addresses the theoretical and historical issues at stake, and uncovers a wealth of information from field work and hitherto unpublished government documents. Promoting Polyarchy is an essential book for anyone concerned with democracy, globalization and international affairs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book represents an original, compelling and critical rethinking of the nature and form of United States foreign policy in the Third World 1980s and 1990s. Robinson has developed his own theoretical framework and synthesis drawn from comparative political sociology, political economy and political theory, one that takes its global inspiration from both world-systems and neo-Gramscian approaches to international relations. Robinson's theoretical strengths are combined with excellent empirical research... In his meticulous and detailed exposition of the nature, limits and contradictions of these cases, Robinson makes a fundamental contribution to our possibilities of understanding the contours of crucial aspects of North-South relations in this and the next century." Stephen Gill, York University, Toronto

"This book provides a sobering look at what it means to say the US is promoting democracy throughout the world. It is a good antidote to much academic pap." Immanuel Wallerstein, State University of New York

"While economic and cultural globalization have attracted a good deal of popular and scholarly attention, globalization in the political sphere is a relatively under-researched area. In Promoting Polyarchy William Robinson, building on a formidable array of local knowledge and theoretical reflection, makes the bold argument that democracy promotion in US foreign policy is best explained in terms of the pluralist idea of polyarchy and that this restricted conception of democracy serves the interests of an increasingly transnational elite. Polyarchy, thus, `is a structural feature of the emergent global society.' The logic of the analysis and the power of his case studies represent a challenge that complacent pluaralists and those sceptical of globalization should not ignore." Leslie Sklair, London School of Economics

"...Robinson offers much more than a political manifesto-the core of the book is a well-considered analysis of the role of U.S. foreign policy in constructing and maintaing the contemporary global ideological hegemony, exemplified by four fscinating case studies. Promoting Polyarchy is a worthy contribution to political sociology." Christopher Chase-Dunn, Contemporary Sociology

"This is a pathbreaking study of the changes in U.S. policy wrought by the `epochal shift' of globalization. The ground-breaking ideas put forth in this book are a counterpoint to the world systems school of Immanuel Wallerstein and more classical Marxsits and neo-Marxists who argue for the continued primacy of the nation-state." Roger Burbach, NACLA Report on the Americas

"..he believe has succeeded admirably...." Myron J. Frankman, Labour, Capital & Society

"William Robinson has written an extraordinarily important book. His work should be required reading for scholars and activists attempting to understand the contemporary direction of U.S. foreign policy....a rigorous, passionate, and historically informed critique of the barren and disempowering political structures that pass for democracy today." Science & Society

Book Description

Arguing that U.S. policy upholds the undemocratic status quo of Third World countries behind a facade, this study addresses the theoretical and historical issues at stake. It uncovers a wealth of information from field work and hitherto unpublished government documents.

Product Details

• Paperback: 488 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (September 13, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521566916
• ISBN-13: 978-0521566919
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,300,938 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant exposition of US policy and the global order, June 12, 2001

By 

Geoff Johnson (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Promoting Polyarchy: Globalization, US Intervention, and Hegemony (Cambridge Studies in International Relations) (Paperback)

In this difficult but extremely provocative and scholarly work, William I. Robinson presents a new model for understanding US foreign policy and the emergent global society as a whole. The crux of his thesis is this: US foreign policy has changed in the last twenty years or so from open support of authoritian regimes in countries where the US has economic and/or strategic interests to a program of "democracy promotion" that strives to place minority elite groups who are responsive to the interests of the United States and transnational capital at the head of the political, economic, and civic structures of "third world" countries.

Contrary to popular opinion (and that of much of academia), the real goal of democracy promotion, or what Robinson refers to as "promoting polyarchy", is not the promotion of democracy at all, but rather the promotion of the interests of an increasingly transnational elite headed by the US who seek open markets for goods and an increase in the free flow of capital. This marks a conscious shift in foreign policy in which the US now favors "consensual domination" by democratically elected governments rather than authoritarian leaders and the type of "crony capitalism" made famous by the likes of Ferdinand Marcos and Anastacio Somoza.

The first sections of the book introduce numerous theoretical concepts (drawing heavily on the theories of the Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci, in particular his theory of hegemony) that are crucial to the understanding of the text. I personally found these sections extremely difficult but well worth the time it takes to read certain parts several times. Robinson then goes on to document four case studies-- the Phillipines, Chile, Nicaragua, and Haiti-- each of which fleshes out his conceptual framework in much more concrete terms. The result is a disturbing picture of US foreign policy and the current direction of "globalization." I would highly recommend this to anyone with a strong interest in foreign affairs and/or the future of humanity.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Myth of Democracy Promotion, April 21, 2006

By 

Peter M. Sanchez "Peter Sanchez" (Evanston, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Promoting Polyarchy: Globalization, US Intervention, and Hegemony (Cambridge Studies in International Relations) (Paperback)

Robinson has written a truly intellectual book on democracy and democracy promotion. While the world debates whether or not the US government can or cannot promote democracy, Robinson demonstrates that Washington has a history of trouncing rather than promoting democracy. US policymakers have over the years desired pro-US regimes that hold elections rather than truly democratic governments, since truly democratic government may run counter to US interests. His book is a sober and much needed addition to the democratization literature that is mired in an unhealthy acceptance of elections and democratic values as the major characteristics of democracy.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for students interested in International Studies!, March 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Promoting Polyarchy: Globalization, US Intervention, and Hegemony (Cambridge Studies in International Relations) (Paperback)

Robinson gives a detailed account of the United States position concerning foriegn affairs where Latin America and other developing nations are concerned. He is thorough and the book proves to be a great reference guide as well as provocative reading.