Michael F. Cairo
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780813136721
- eISBN:
- 9780813141275
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Kentucky
- DOI:
- 10.5810/kentucky/9780813136721.003.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, American Politics
This chapter introduces “enlightened” realism and “cowboy” liberalism, making the case for studying presidential worldviews, particularly with the Bush administrations, and then examines the ...
More
This chapter introduces “enlightened” realism and “cowboy” liberalism, making the case for studying presidential worldviews, particularly with the Bush administrations, and then examines the particular worldviews of George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. Throughout the chapter argues that different emphases within the realist and liberal models combined to create the “enlightened” realist and “cowboy” liberal worldviews. Thus, George H.W. Bush’s risk-averse approach and emphasis on international institutions and multilateral processes combine to create the “enlightened” realist view, while George W. Bush’s risk-acceptant approach and emphasis on the importance of the democratic mission in American foreign policy combine to create the “cowboy” liberal view. The chapter concludes by briefly laying out the cases for further analysis: the wars in Iraq and the Middle East peace process.Less
This chapter introduces “enlightened” realism and “cowboy” liberalism, making the case for studying presidential worldviews, particularly with the Bush administrations, and then examines the particular worldviews of George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. Throughout the chapter argues that different emphases within the realist and liberal models combined to create the “enlightened” realist and “cowboy” liberal worldviews. Thus, George H.W. Bush’s risk-averse approach and emphasis on international institutions and multilateral processes combine to create the “enlightened” realist view, while George W. Bush’s risk-acceptant approach and emphasis on the importance of the democratic mission in American foreign policy combine to create the “cowboy” liberal view. The chapter concludes by briefly laying out the cases for further analysis: the wars in Iraq and the Middle East peace process.
Michael F. Cairo
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780813136721
- eISBN:
- 9780813141275
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University Press of Kentucky
- DOI:
- 10.5810/kentucky/9780813136721.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, American Politics
Despite the appearance of familiar faces in both Bush administrations, significant differences existed between the foreign policies of George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. The Gulf refers to these ...
More
Despite the appearance of familiar faces in both Bush administrations, significant differences existed between the foreign policies of George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. The Gulf refers to these differences and argues that they can be explained by the personal beliefs and styles of each George Bush. Describing George H.W. Bush as an “enlightened” realist and George W. Bush as a “cowboy” liberal, the book begins by exploring the life experiences that contributed to each president’s belief system. Comparing and contrasting each president throughout, it focuses on each administration’s policy in the Middle East, with specific attention given to the Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Madrid Peace Conference, and the Road Map for peace. The book suggests that presidents rarely fit into a realist or liberal model and combines the two approaches to explain presidential worldviews. George H.W. Bush’s emphasis on defensive rather than offensive strategies, and international organizations rather than the power of democracy to foster peace and stability, combine to create an “enlightened” realist worldview. George W. Bush’s emphasis on offensive strategies and the power of democracy to foster peace and stability combine to create the “cowboy” liberal worldview. The book concludes by offering general and specific lessons illuminated by the cases. Suggesting that the study is more than an isolated comparison of the Bushes, the book offers examples of the importance of understanding presidential leadership styles and worldviews.Less
Despite the appearance of familiar faces in both Bush administrations, significant differences existed between the foreign policies of George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. The Gulf refers to these differences and argues that they can be explained by the personal beliefs and styles of each George Bush. Describing George H.W. Bush as an “enlightened” realist and George W. Bush as a “cowboy” liberal, the book begins by exploring the life experiences that contributed to each president’s belief system. Comparing and contrasting each president throughout, it focuses on each administration’s policy in the Middle East, with specific attention given to the Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Madrid Peace Conference, and the Road Map for peace. The book suggests that presidents rarely fit into a realist or liberal model and combines the two approaches to explain presidential worldviews. George H.W. Bush’s emphasis on defensive rather than offensive strategies, and international organizations rather than the power of democracy to foster peace and stability, combine to create an “enlightened” realist worldview. George W. Bush’s emphasis on offensive strategies and the power of democracy to foster peace and stability combine to create the “cowboy” liberal worldview. The book concludes by offering general and specific lessons illuminated by the cases. Suggesting that the study is more than an isolated comparison of the Bushes, the book offers examples of the importance of understanding presidential leadership styles and worldviews.
