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Robert S. McNamara
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Wilson's Ghost: Reducing the Risk of Conflict, Killing, and Catastrophe in the 21st Century Hardcover – June 6, 2001

by Robert S. McNamara (Author), James G. Blight (Author)
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 18 ratings
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Woodrow Wilson's vision of a collective international action to resist aggressive conflict after the carnage of World War I failed tragically. Over 160 million people died in war during the 20th century, and in Wilson's Ghost, Robert S. McNamara and James G. Blight put forth a decisive, multi-faceted action program for realizing Wilson's dream during this century. The plan begins with a moral imperative that establishes as a major goal of foreign policy across the globe the avoidance of war. To that end,enforcement entails only multilateral intervention on the part of the United States; full reconciliation with Russia and China to integrate those nations into relations with the other Great Powers; restructuring the United Nations to greater effectiveness; defining and deterring war crimes; creating UN enforcement; and finally, reducing nuclear danger by eliminating the huge arsenal held by the United States and Russia, and by signing into law the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. The authors support their plan with specific, achievable steps that can begin now to ensure a more peaceful 21st century.
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  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    PublicAffairs
  4. Publication date
    June 6, 2001
  5. Dimensions
    6.5 x 1.25 x 9.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1891620894
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1891620898
  8. Lexile measure
    1450L
  9. See all details
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3.8 out of 5 stars
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  • Jimmy Porter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening international solutions.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2002
    Verified Purchase
    Mr. McNamara and Mr. Blight present the 21st century's three
    major international problems to be solved if we are to have an
    earth to live on. It is amazing how close we live with the possible daily nuclear destruction of our planet. This book shows the arrogance
    America possesses in its international operations and what we must do to combat it.
    I am not so sure what is being proposed by these two is in the realm
    of reality. They have provided the road map for peace, but I know
    of no nation or people that are politically ready to follow it. I'm sure
    the ignorance of the world's people will lead to a nuclear holocost
    and the dawn of a new race of homosapiens. This is an excellent
    read and recommended for those of you interested in international
    operations.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Robert M. Pallotti
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Time for Peace
    Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2007
    For many years as a theologian and student of international relations I have struggled with the postions of "idealism" and "political realism" of political thought and practice. Robert McNamara and James Blight have come to us with an impassioned plea for a new direction in human affairs to help prevent killing on a massive scale that was part of the 20th century and could be part of the 21st century unless humanity makes a purposeful and concerted effort to change.

    I found the book engaging in format and offering a compelling vision for a new world order. Of course, there will be many who will suggest that such a vision is utopian madness. However, we need to keep in mind that before there can be any paradigmatic changes in world order there has to be a new vision for the world that inspires humanity to a more just and peaceful order. Otherwise, we will be mired in the past way of doing things and will tend to repeat the mistakes of the past. McNamara reminds us that to do that, in world of nuclear weapons, is to risk unprecedented catastrophe.

    Whether you agree or disagree with the authors you should read this book. We need all the ideas we can muster to promote a new and saner world order. After all, is not the definition of insanity as that of doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results?
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Newton Ooi
    1.0 out of 5 stars A book of well-packaged lies, shallow proposals, and half truths
    Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2011
    In this book, former US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and two college professors put forth a vision of a future in which the USA fully embeds itself within international law and organizations, and uses these tools to push for world peace. Key to this is a dedication to empathy, for US leaders at all levels to put themselves into the shoes of people in other nations and empathize with their fears, wants, hopes and realities, and then create international policies with these in mind. The authors cite several key examples of US leaders empathizing with foreign rivals and enemies, and not doing so. Examples of the former include the Kennedy dialogue with Khruschev during the Cuban Missile Crisis, former President Wilson's dialogue with German leaders at the end of WWI, and the Marshall Plan post WW2. Examples of the latter include US relations with Vietnam during the Vietnam War, the spread of NATO eastward towards the borders of Russia, and US support of Taiwan over China's opposition. Through all of these examples, the authors of this book do a thorough job explaining the public moods of the countries opposed to US action, and how US leaders repeatedly fail to take these into account.

    My first critique of this book is that it totally and completely fails to explain how the decision-making of US leaders is driven towards means and ends that often antagonize other nations. Central in this regard is the role of corporations, both US-based and multinational corporations, and how their business leaders often end up as officials in the US government, who then formulate and implement policies that benefit said corporations. For example, many of the former Soviet republics hold reserves of some important resources such as oil and gas. A key driver of the expansion of NATO was the unspoken desire to open up these countries' mineral wealth to western companies such as Chevron, Halliburton, Exxon-Mobil, etc... If these resources did not exist in these countries, NATO would have never expanded there. Another example is the Vietnam War, which became "hot" under President LBJ. A thorough reading of Robert Caro's trilogy on LBJ shows how LBJ's rise to political power came on the backs of key companies in the military-industrial complex, the same companies that profited handsomely of the Vietnam War. Lack of empathy? I doubt it; the Vietnam War comes down to war profiteering.

    My second critique of this book is that the authors totally fail to propose concrete ways by which Americans and their leaders can empathize better with foreigners. Here are some ideas, ideas that the book's authors could have delved into. First, cut down on military spending and use some of the savings to send more American students to study abroad. Second, make it easier for foreigners to come study in America, whether it be undergraduate or postgraduate study. Maybe not cheaper, but reduce the paperwork and waiting time. Third, mandate 2nd language instruction as part of the US public school system, and require certain levels of 2nd language proficiency for college admissions. Fourth, stop subsidizing home ownership, which keeps Americans in America, and instead subsidize travel, especially to foreign countries. As more Americans travel abroad, whether it be for work, study or play, Americans will come to empathize with the rest of humanity.

    My last critique of this book is that it does not even begin to mention how America became a nation that acts in ways most find repulsive at the very least. Some exploration of US dependence on oil would help here, or at least a summary with citations of previous works by other authors. Another would be a study of the CIA and FBI, and some of the vile deeds perpetrated by these agencies against Americans that have corrupted our political system to the point that our nation produces leaders that ignores basic morals and ethics in dealing not only with Americans, but with foreigners. Operations Ajax, PBSuccess, and Paperclip would be good starting points of discussion. Again, this book need not retell history, but could simply provide a short summary with citations of previous works.

    So overall, this book was a waste of time to read. The facts contained in it amount to an editorial along the lines of "the ugly American". And let me emphasis the term editorial; there is very little in terms of investigative reporting, eye-opening revelations, insightful analysis, subtle philosophy, etc... Don't bother to read this book.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • LJ
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good
    Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Nice to have but feels like we've read it already elsewhere. McNamara's insights are valuable, even if somewhat naive and unrealistic.
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