Another look at the downfall of "Fortress America." (the raid on Pearl Harbor and the end of isolationism) (Special Issue: The United States and World Order)

Article Abstract:

Japan's raid on Pearl Harbor is commonly viewed as disproving the isolationists' beliefs that the US was immune to foreign attack and could defeat any enemy without needing allies. Actually, the lack of fighting on US territory during World War II and the largely American defeat of Japan showed that both of these arguments were more valid than is often assumed. The US had clearly begun moving away from isolationism and toward war with Japan and Nazi Germany well before Pearl Harbor. Contrary to the Pearl Harbor myth, the US chose belligerency deliberately as a necessity to defeat Hitler.

Pearl Harbor, Attack on, 1941

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Early isolationism revisited: neutrality and beyond in the 1790s

Article Abstract:

The concept of isolationism expressed in George Washington's Farewell Address meant that America would not actively participate in world politics. Isolationism was believed to symbolize idealism in the American foreign policy when actually it was a means of survival as America during the 1790s was engaged in conflicts with hostile Indians and North African powers while it had a weak army. Neutrality in the affairs of Europe did not mean that American would not fight for its interests but rather that it would only commit its forces when absolutely necessary and when available.

Military policy, Washington, George (American president)

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Watch this space: Civil liberties, concept wars and the future of urban fortress

Article Abstract:

Prior to 9/11, many American cities experienced various levels of fear-induced fortification since they were sites of conflict, crime and civil unrest and such fear factors played a major role in reshaping urban America and Americans lived, worked and shopped in defensive spaces. The deployment of surveillance technology like biometrics seems to be a natural progression but it remains to be seen whether Americans will surrender their civil liberties and allow such technology to become a part of their post-11 September world.

United States, General services, Usage, Safety and security measures, Technology and civilization, Technology and society, Identification equipment, Identification, Antiterrorism measures

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Presidents, precedents and the use of military force. American political culture and the end of the Cold War. A few words on Christopher Thorne's pursuit of American political culture

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