ISOLATION AND ALLIANCES

by Walter Lippman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 6, 1952

Lectures given at Sulgrave Manor, interpreting American public opinion to the English -- or so he indicates as his purpose at the start. Actually, he has done something quite different. In an introductory lecture he has developed the thesis that American foreign policy is the outgrowth of a traditional policy of isolationism, natural instrument of a pioneer people facing west across a continent that they proposed to open up to freedom. Through the years Democratic presidents made pronouncements about the foreign policy; Republicans played the lead in realizing the fundamental purposes, and the balance of power in the Old World made possible this period of isolation. Then came the Wilsonian ideology- American fundamentalism made universal. It couldn't work-and we are now only painfully emerging from the dream, realizing that we are leaders in a coalition, improvising a policy to fit our new role. He sees the Atlantic Community partnership as the nucleus; a united German at peace with France and Poland, the heart of a European system. But he sees it only as a goal, to be reached through mutual understanding and cooperation...(This seems a far cry from his purpose of interpreting American public opinion to the British.)

Pub Date: Oct. 6, 1952

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1952

Categories: NONFICTION