Starr Forum: Conservative Internationalism: Armed Diplomacy under Jefferson, Polk, Truman, and Reagan

November 22, 2013 - 12:00pm to 1:30pm
1 Amherst Street, Cambridge

Book talk with Henry R. Nau 
Joining the discussion will be Steve Van Evera

About the Speakers:
Henry R. Nau is professor of political science and international affairs in the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University.
Stephen Van Evera is Ford International Professor and associate director of Security Studies Program at MIT

About the Book:

Debates about U.S. foreign policy have revolved around three main traditions--liberal internationalism, realism, and nationalism. Nau demonstrates that conservative internationalism offers an alternative way. It pursues freedom but not everywhere, prioritizing situations that border on existing free countries--Turkey, for example, rather than Iraq. It uses lesser force early to influence negotiations rather than greater force later after negotiations fail. And it reaches timely compromises to cash in military leverage and sustain public support. 

"In the wake of Syria-related brinkmanship, it is easy to see, at the moment, how enduringly important it is to manage force in human affairs. . . . [Nau] identifies six traditions in American diplomatic history and connects each to at least one important president whose policies capture the tradition's outlook . . . the general reader can learn a good deal . . ."--Wall Street Journal

More on the book

Free & open to the public | Refreshments served