Post Industrial America
19 November 2004 (Lecture
#35)
o
Eisenhower’s
Vice president; does his dirty work
o
Loses
to JFK in 1960 – as a result, he resorts to dirty politics and wins the
presidency in 1968
o
Social
– anti-establishment (hippie): rejection of past traditions a nd culture
o
Vietnam
syndrome – defeatist national psyche
o
ífinalíWeinberger / Powell
Doctrine: what is required for qar
§
Clear
exit strategy
§
Vital
interests at stake
§
Has
support
§
No
other options
§
Powell
Corollary: use decisive force to achieve victory with minimal casualties
o
Soviet
adventurism – supports revolutions in many countries
§
Soviets
in Afghanistan – Islam does not mix with communism (says religion is the opiate
for the masses)
o
US
failed to keep up – exports are less than imports after 1973
o
Transition
to information and services
o
If
the gap continues, prosperity will decrease
o
Iran
revolts and establishes a theocratic government – US economic interests lost
o
Hostages
taken – Carter fails to get them back
o
Hostages
were released within an hour of his election
o
Assertive
– he places an emphasis on strategic programs to put pressure and stress on the
Soviets to keep up
o
Reagan
applies force around the world
Conclusions