Research, ideas, and leadership for a more secure, peaceful world
An exploration of the intellectual background of the George W. Bush administration?s attempts to enforce democracy in the Middle East.
An exploration of the intellectual background of the George W. Bush administration’s attempts to enforce democracy in the Middle East. Specifically, this seminar will examine the way in which the neo-conservatives surrounding President Bush interpret the theory of the democratic peace after having accepted the assumptions of the clash of civilizations theory. This particular reading consists of, on the one hand, an understanding that the export of democracy is in the national interest of the United States because it enlarges the zone of peace, stabilizes the international system, and helps to combat terror. On the other hand, by accepting the theory of the clash of civilizations, neoconservatives are deeming the values and norms of different civilizations incompatible with their own. Thus, they perceive democratization as a tool to enhance the security of the United States, but consider structural democratization the only viable option. It also assumes that structural democratization can be grafted on to any civilization — and on to any set of norms and values. In other words, the merging of the theories of the clash of civilizations and of the democratic peace has resulted in an aggressive foreign policy designed to bring about democratization that is in U.S. national interest.
Please join us! Coffee and tea provided.
Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come – first served basis.
