OLD MYTHS AND NEW REALITIES: And Other Commentaries

by Senator J.W. Fulbright ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 28, 1964

Senator Fulbright introduces his commentaries, presented earlier as speehes, with the opinion that Congress has a role in foreign policy: ""to participate in shaping broad policies which, if they are to be viable, must reflect a national consensus."" Acting upon his word, he offers his views on the international situation with clarity and intelligence. In the title piece he touches upon our predisposition to regard any conflict ""as a clash between good and evil rather than as simply a clash between conflicting interests,"" points to the ""profoundly altered"" character of the Cold War as what may well be considered the foremost achievement of the Kennedy administration, analyzes our performance, aims and prospects in regard to Panama, Cuba, Communist China and Vietnam. In The Foundations of National Security he looks to the psychological aspects of defense in a world where nuclear armament is the great equalizer and where our aim must be to seek ways ""of making the world reasonably safe for the continuing contest between those who favor democracy and those who oppose it."" The Atlantic Partnership and the Gaullist Challenge analyses the division between the ""Gaullist"" and ""Atlantic"" outlook, advocating the latter and proposing an Atlantic Assembly including the ""neutrals."" Finally Senator Fulbright reviews the effect of The Cold War in America with its ""massive diversion of energies and resources from the creative pursuits of civilized society to the conduct of a costly and interminable struggle for world power,"" and recruits for a war against poverty in a have nation, where human resources are being ""extravagantly neglected."" A reasonable, responsible voice.

Pub Date: July 28, 1964

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1964

Categories: NONFICTION