Review by Choice Review
A timely and substantial book. The editors, professors of politics at US universities, have brought together studies across a broad spectrum of Central American politics. Revolution provides the backdrop, with special attention to the roots of crisis in Central America. Individual country studies follow, together with chapters on nonCentral American actors (Cuba, USSR, Mexico, Venezuela). Finally, three chapters deal with Reagan-Carter policies and suggest a policy of ``principled realism'' instead. The thrust of the book is that in the pursuit of US interests in the region, policymakers have been shortsighted. Arguing that ultimately the national interest is advanced or damaged by what happens to democratic values at home, they maintain that US support for professedly anti-Communist but authoritarian regimes that oppress their own people can harm US national interests. This will occur if Americans become cynical of Washington's dissimulation in its efforts to prop up unpopular regimes or destabilize those with significant bases of support. The US must learn to deal with leftist regimes that have significant support among their populations, although it should not forego opportunities to mediate conflicts or broker compromises. Ultimately, negotiated settlements to the El Salvador and Nicaraguan conflicts are imperative, for military solutions have small chance of success. A judicious and sobering book by scholars with established reputations. Students and general readers.-S. Akhavi, University of South Carolina
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
A series of reports on conditions and developments in individual Central American countries and the impact of U.S. foreign policy on the region. (Ag 86)
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Beginning in 1982, the 15 contributors to this volume debated, and subsequently wrote up, their views of U.S. foreign policy in Central America. The book's value lies in the fact that it is nonpartisan, that the contributors worked two years to integrate their essays, and that it offers a pragmatic version of security though diplomacy. Coverage includes individual countries, outside actors, and U.S. foreign policy towards the region. The authors believe that East-West conflict is secondary, that diplomacy is the key solution to peace, that we should rarely act unilaterally, and that our principles should be applied equally to all countries. Recommended for most libraries. Roderic A. Camp, Latin American Studies Dept., Central Coll., Pella, Ia. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
This rewarding look at US foreign policy in Central America recommends ""principled realism,"" an approach that addresses the root problems of the region by promoting diplomacy, democracy, and economic and social change. Written by 15 scholars, the book devotes long chapters to each of the countries of the region (excluding Belize), discusses Cuba and the Soviet Union's perspectives and examines American involvement and premises generally. The authors state that the consistent objective of US policy (whether it is the ""moderate hegemonism"" of Jimmy Carter or the ""hardline hegemonism"" of Ronald Reagan) ""has been to preserve our ability to exercise. . .control, or hegemony, and the foremost corollary of that imperative has been to prevent any government in the region from falling into the hands of 'the left.'"" This policy has become counterproductive, they argue. By using military solutions and supporting authoritarian governments, the US only aids the problems that make the region unstable in the first place: ""Central America's long history of socioeconomic inequality and political dictatorship provides more than sufficient cause for insurgency."" Moreover, it is not just poverty and inequality that encourage revolution, but ""brutal suppression of attempts at nonviolent reform,"" including ""cemetery methods of control."" What concrete steps should be taken? ""The alternative to hegemony and interventionism is not isolationism but rather a more intelligent involvement,' the authors state. This new policy would begin with a change toward Nicaragua, with the US halting the covert war and giving full support to the Contadora process. In El Salvador, aid should be cut from current levels (to show that ""the US was firmly behind a negotiated solution rather than a military one""), and the US should set conditions for the Salvadoran government to continue to receive aid, including that it respect human rights, make serious efforts to settle with the rebels, and make socioeconomic reforms. A refreshing, praiseworthy effort. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Library Journal Review
Review by Kirkus Book Review
