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Do Morals Matter?: Presidents and Foreign Policy from FDR to Trump Hardcover – January 2, 2020
by
Joseph S. Nye Jr.
(Author)
-
Print length272 pages
-
LanguageEnglish
-
PublisherOxford University Press
-
Publication dateJanuary 2, 2020
-
Dimensions9.4 x 1.1 x 6.4 inches
-
ISBN-100190935960
-
ISBN-13978-0190935962
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"In times like these, it is important to appreciate the role that moral reasoning should play in foreign policy. This is especially true in a democracy, where sustaining global involvement requires support from citizens. Joe Nye is one of our foremost and engaging analysts of American diplomacy, and in this book he provides a clear-eyed guide for reengaging our moral compass." -- Walter Isaacson, Distinguished Fellow and Former CEO, Aspen Institute, and Professor of History, Tulane University
"From the doyen of US foreign policy thinkers, a powerful warning against domestic populist politics, which not only narrow our moral vision but defeat US purposes around the world." -- O.A. Westad, Yale University
"With characteristic insight and precision, Joseph Nye raises tough questions of how much ethics should shape a nation's foreign policy, provides a sweeping review of how past presidents have embraced or rejected ethical imperatives, and constructs a helpful scorecard for judging future presidents. This book takes on even greater significance as a growing number of nations-led by the U.S.-nakedly put self interest first." -- David Gergen, CNN Senior Political Analyst, and Founding Director, Harvard Kennedy School Center for Public Leadership
"In Do Morals Matter? Joseph S. Nye argues persuasively that in foreign policy, good intentions must be accompanied by the use of appropriate means that generate beneficial consequences. His astute analysis of American presidents since World War II demonstrates that 'contextual intelligence' is crucial for moral principles to yield good results." -- Robert O. Keohane, Princeton University
"A lucid, thoughtful and original examination of the role morality plays as American presidents shape their foreign policy. As Professor Nye shows convincingly in this highly readable book, leaders and citizens alike make assumptions, decisions and judgments which reflect their own views about what is good and bad. Yet again he has contributed much to our better understanding of international relations." -- Margaret MacMillan, Emeritus Professor of International History, University of Oxford
About the Author
Joseph S. Nye, Jr. is University Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus and former Dean of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. He received his bachelor's degree summa cum laude from Princeton University, won a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford, and earned a Ph.D. in political science from Harvard. He has served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Chair of the National Intelligence Council, and a Deputy Under Secretary of State. His most recent books include The Powers to Lead, The Future of Power, Presidential Leadership and the Creation of the American Era, and The Power Game: a Washington Novel. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the British Academy, and the American Academy of Diplomacy. In a recent survey of international relations scholars, he was ranked as the most influential scholar on American foreign policy, and in 2011, Foreign Policy named him one of the top 100 Global Thinkers.
Product details
- Publisher : Oxford University Press (January 2, 2020)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 272 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0190935960
- ISBN-13 : 978-0190935962
- Item Weight : 1.22 pounds
- Dimensions : 9.4 x 1.1 x 6.4 inches
-
Best Sellers Rank:
#292,697 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #505 in National & International Security (Books)
- #834 in United States Executive Government
- #1,314 in Philosophy of Ethics & Morality
- Customer Reviews:
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98 global ratings
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2020
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Although I have no particular expertise in foreign policy, I found this book very readable and engrossing. In particular, the chapters covering the 21st century provide a clarifying framework around the never ending wars of these years. I am recommending the book to all my friends who are trying to grapple with the complexities of international affairs.
15 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2020
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This book doesn’t know what it is. It’s not history. It’s not moral philosophy. It’s not psychology. So what is it?
The author synthesizes ideas from all these disciplines attempting to analyze the foreign policy decisions of the U.S. presidents since Franklin Roosevelt. He uses a framework to “score” each president’s moral performance in several categories.
Since this book is not history, the author doesn’t delve deeply into the events that he reviews. He assumes that the reader is already familiar with the U.S.’s major foreign policy issues since 1945. If you aren’t, you probably won’t receive enough information to form a real opinion about how the president performed.
Since this book is not moral philosophy, there’s no deep examination of the different moral options that might have been available to each president. The author simply judges them according to his own moral outlook. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The author has a pretty typical moral outlook, and he basically just sums up the consensus view for most of the presidents. However, most readers will already share these judgments, and will not glean anything innovative from the author.
Since this book is not psychology, we don’t get a thorough review of the psychological makeup that influenced each president. The author tells us a little about each president’s background, apparently acknowledging that this is important to how they viewed the world and made decisions, but this only scratches the surface.
A reader who is already familiar with foreign policy events since 1945 won’t learn much, and someone who isn’t familiar with the history won’t get enough depth of material to make an informed opinion.
The author synthesizes ideas from all these disciplines attempting to analyze the foreign policy decisions of the U.S. presidents since Franklin Roosevelt. He uses a framework to “score” each president’s moral performance in several categories.
Since this book is not history, the author doesn’t delve deeply into the events that he reviews. He assumes that the reader is already familiar with the U.S.’s major foreign policy issues since 1945. If you aren’t, you probably won’t receive enough information to form a real opinion about how the president performed.
Since this book is not moral philosophy, there’s no deep examination of the different moral options that might have been available to each president. The author simply judges them according to his own moral outlook. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The author has a pretty typical moral outlook, and he basically just sums up the consensus view for most of the presidents. However, most readers will already share these judgments, and will not glean anything innovative from the author.
Since this book is not psychology, we don’t get a thorough review of the psychological makeup that influenced each president. The author tells us a little about each president’s background, apparently acknowledging that this is important to how they viewed the world and made decisions, but this only scratches the surface.
A reader who is already familiar with foreign policy events since 1945 won’t learn much, and someone who isn’t familiar with the history won’t get enough depth of material to make an informed opinion.
8 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2020
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I thoroughly enjoyed Nye's latest book. His ethical framework provides an easily understood window into the complexity of foreign policy. I finished it with a deeper understanding of the challenges of balancing stakeholders, integrating short- and long-term interests, and keeping the nation safe amidst turbulence.
Nye's assessments of the various presidents is balanced and fair. He is consistent in his application of his framework throughout which is helpful in comparing different leaders in similar situations. I learned about history as well as ethics from this highly readable book.
Nye's assessments of the various presidents is balanced and fair. He is consistent in his application of his framework throughout which is helpful in comparing different leaders in similar situations. I learned about history as well as ethics from this highly readable book.
7 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2020
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...But the book is a bit of a drag. I read it on the bus within about 5 hours. I liked how historical tidbits were intertwined with details about the Post World War II presidencies but the report cards? I really don't know about those. They feel overly subjective to me. The author covers this, though, in the extensive foreword (to be fair).
This book is good read for students of recent US history though. However, the details, even when provided, are sparse. Nevertheless, I found it informative.
This book is good read for students of recent US history though. However, the details, even when provided, are sparse. Nevertheless, I found it informative.
6 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2020
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What complete gibberish. It is folks like this that promote American exceptionalism and that "shiny city on the hill" that lend to the distortion of true American history. His first glowing review of the morals of President Truman would choke a dead horse. He leaves out the fact that 50 of his generals signed a letter opposing the dropping of the atomic bombs as the Japanese were about to negotiate a surrender through the Soviet Union. Like his father, from what I have read, Truman was very much an insecure short person. He wanted to stand out - which he accomplished. General Curtis LeMay said that if the US had lost the war they all would be on trial for war crimes. Truman could have stopped the fire bombing of Japan thus sparing tens of thousands of Japanese civilian lives, but chose not to. As for Truman not wanting to use atomic weapons in Korea because of the children is complete BS. He, like all other presidents, was thinking about his legacy.
Each president whose morals the author reviews is found wanting if one takes a little time to look into the backstory.
Each president whose morals the author reviews is found wanting if one takes a little time to look into the backstory.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2020
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In this lucid account, Professor Nye offers a valuable framework for assessing the role of ethics in US foreign policy over the past 75 years. He demonstrates the important differences in the “contextual intelligence” of the presidents from FDR to Trump — their ability to understand an evolving environment and to capitalize on trends. Even a reader who strongly disagrees with Nye’s rankings of the presidents will still find his scorecards helpful in making their own assessments. As he says: “The scorecards are intended to be illustrative rather than definitive. Their value is in exploring the neglected aspects of how to think carefully when assessing morality in foreign policy, because the history shows shows that even though scoring can be contested, morals did matter.”
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2020
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Everyone should read this book. To get an historical perspective on our presidents since FDR right on through to The Donald, it is a fascinating read. The author is well enough versed in philosophy and history to make this a truly worthwhile look into our political arena while still making the material accessible. Highly recommend.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2020
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This is a highly subjective, topical book and to Nye’s credit he acknowledges his potential bias’ throughout. One might just skip the bulk of it and read the last chapter for a summary of the authors point. Overall the answer to the authors question is an obvious one.
It’s not worth the time, read an executive summary instead
It’s not worth the time, read an executive summary instead
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Bunthorn Sok
4.0 out of 5 stars
For those who wish to discover how morals play in foreign policy formulation
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2020Verified Purchase
Best one and highly recommended

Barry
5.0 out of 5 stars
A soft-soft power
Reviewed in Canada on September 14, 2020Verified Purchase
As in sending out drones that transmit a positive ripple effect by changing surrogate power into an indigenous power that does the right thing through unconditional love. A form of power that always binds without capturing and supports without limiting, something that entropy can’t effect.
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