Rethinking Anti-Americanism: The History of an Exceptional Concept in American Foreign Relations
Max Paul Friedman
(Author)
Description
"Anti-Americanism" is an unusual expression; although stereotypes and hostility exist toward every nation, we do not hear of "anti-Italianism" or "anti-Brazilianism." Only Americans have elevated such sentiment to the level of a worldview, an explanatory factor so significant as to merit a name - an "ism" - usually reserved for comprehensive ideological systems or ingrained prejudice. This book challenges the scholarly consensus that blames criticism of the United States on foreigners' irrational resistance to democracy and modernity. Tracing 200 years of the concept of anti-Americanism, this book argues that it has constricted political discourse about social reform and U.S. foreign policy, from the War of 1812 and the Mexican War to the Cold War, from Guatemala and Vietnam to Iraq. Research in nine countries in five languages, with attention to diplomacy, culture, migration, and the circulation of ideas, shows that the myth of anti-Americanism has often damaged the national interest.
Product Details
Price
$36.29
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Publish Date
August 27, 2012
Pages
374
Dimensions
6.1 X 9.1 X 1.0 inches | 1.15 pounds
Language
English
Type
Paperback
EAN/UPC
9780521683425
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About the Author
Max Paul Friedman is Assistant Professor of History at Florida State University. His work has been published in Diplomatic History, The Americas, and The Oral History Review. Before entering academia he was assistant producer for National Public Radio's 'All Things Considered' and a freelance writer published in the Washington Post, New York Newsday, Atlanta Constitution, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Orlando Sentinel, and other newspapers and magazines.
Reviews
"'Anti-Americanism' is a phrase routinely used, but a phenomenon rarely studied. Friedman's elegantly written book sparkles with fresh insight and fascinating new material. The author's erudition and keen analytical skills make this original work an invaluable source for understanding the international impact of U.S. foreign policy. Rethinking Anti-Americanism is as thought-provoking as it is timely."
Carolyn Eisenberg, Hofstra University
"Friedman demystifies the myth of anti-Americanism, showing how its acceptance has often tragically clouded U.S. decision makers' assessments of foreign nations' views and policies. Eloquently written with a keen eye to cultural nuances and detail and a firm grasp on the existing historiography, Rethinking Anti-Americanism shows that within the United States, anti-Americanism has often impeded clear thinking and progressive reform. Focusing on Western Europe and Latin America, this fascinating and dynamic study leaves us with the question of whether there may be a direct relationship between the United States' ascent to power and its need to stigmatize external criticism. This is an impressive achievement."
Jessica Gienow-Hecht, University of Cologne
"Friedman is the perceptive observer, arguing that anti-Americanism is more a mythical beast than a real menace to the United States. Rather than causing opposition to U.S. policies, anti-Americanism has been a largely imaginary threat used to silence those who dare suggest that the United States is not living up to its own high ideals. If the United States is indeed exceptional, it is because of its singular inability to brook criticism, including from its friends and allies. Lucid, witty, and persuasive, this is a must-read for anyone who has ever wondered 'why do they hate us so much?'"
Kristin Hoganson, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
"Anti-Americanism has erupted in many parts of the globe not for years, but, as Max Paul Friedman vividly demonstrates, for parts of several centuries. Rethinking Anti-Americanism employs European, Latin American, and U.S. primary records to provide a stunning, concise analysis of why Americans have found themselves detested and, more pointedly, suffering failed wars and foreign policies particularly over the past sixty years. Friedman masterfully opens insights, and one hopes debate, on a fundamental set of problems Americans have willfully ignored, and for which they have been paying a heavy price."
Walter LaFeber, Tisch University Professor Emeritus, Cornell University
"This very impressive book draws on original research from archives across the world to thoroughly rebuke the abuse and overuse of the term anti-Americanism. In a lucid and commanding manner Friedman challenges us to move beyond using the word 'anti-Americanism' to score political points or attempt to silence critics. Further, he offers a compelling argument about what the United States has to gain from listening to, and engaging with, its critics."
Brendon O'Connor, University of Sydney
"Traditionally, writings on anti-Americanism have focused on why other nations dislike the United States. Asking how the focus on the question 'why do they hate us?' has affected American politics and U.S. relations with the world, Max Paul Friedman investigates the history of the concept of anti-Americanism with surprising and illuminating conclusions. He demonstrates that it has restricted and at times poisoned political discourse, and poorly served the making of foreign policy by failing to take seriously criticisms from abroad and learning more about other parts of the world. Friedman has written an original and convincing analysis of an understudied issue."
David F. Schmitz, Robert Allen Skotheim Chair of History, Whitman College
"... this work offers a needed corrective on a much-misunderstood subject. Highly recommended."
Choice
"This book looks specifically at how anti-Americanism has been used as a quasi-diagnostic concept by Americans trying to understand why foreigners resist American policies."
Rob Kroes, Journal of American History
"Max Paul Friedman's sophisticated and deeply researched new book charts the long pedigree for these common contemporary judgments about the 'anti-American' quality of those who oppose and sometimes attack the United States."
Jeremi Suri, H-Diplo
"Professor Max Paul Friedman of American University has written another outstanding book."
Stephen G. Rabe, History: Reviews of New Books
"Remarkable are the many new details that Friedman has brought to light ..."
January Hansen, sehepunkte
"Max Paul Friedman has crafted here a highly original, and excellent, investigation of anti-Americanism cast in a brand new light ... This remarkable book, fluidly written and very enjoyable to read, is based on thorough historical research in United States, Latin American, and Western European archives."
Sophie Meunier, Political Science Quarterly
"Max Paul Friedman's study traces how the term [anti-Americanism] has been used historically and suggests the discursive power it has come to have in specific times and places. In pursuing this goal, it also plumbs the diverse meanings of 'America' itself. This book could be considered a transnational intellectual history - a very difficult genre because of the need to chart the multiplicity of connotations and contexts over time and place ... This smart and significant book not only demonstrates the importance of methodological innovation and transnational research but offers valuable insights about US policymaking - both past and future."
Emily S. Rosenberg, Journal of American Studies
"[Friedman] has produced an outstanding piece of work that no scholar of 'anti-Americanism' will be able to ignore; original and thought provoking, this is a revisionist study in the best meaning of the term."
Egbert Klautke, Journal of Contemporary History
Carolyn Eisenberg, Hofstra University
"Friedman demystifies the myth of anti-Americanism, showing how its acceptance has often tragically clouded U.S. decision makers' assessments of foreign nations' views and policies. Eloquently written with a keen eye to cultural nuances and detail and a firm grasp on the existing historiography, Rethinking Anti-Americanism shows that within the United States, anti-Americanism has often impeded clear thinking and progressive reform. Focusing on Western Europe and Latin America, this fascinating and dynamic study leaves us with the question of whether there may be a direct relationship between the United States' ascent to power and its need to stigmatize external criticism. This is an impressive achievement."
Jessica Gienow-Hecht, University of Cologne
"Friedman is the perceptive observer, arguing that anti-Americanism is more a mythical beast than a real menace to the United States. Rather than causing opposition to U.S. policies, anti-Americanism has been a largely imaginary threat used to silence those who dare suggest that the United States is not living up to its own high ideals. If the United States is indeed exceptional, it is because of its singular inability to brook criticism, including from its friends and allies. Lucid, witty, and persuasive, this is a must-read for anyone who has ever wondered 'why do they hate us so much?'"
Kristin Hoganson, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
"Anti-Americanism has erupted in many parts of the globe not for years, but, as Max Paul Friedman vividly demonstrates, for parts of several centuries. Rethinking Anti-Americanism employs European, Latin American, and U.S. primary records to provide a stunning, concise analysis of why Americans have found themselves detested and, more pointedly, suffering failed wars and foreign policies particularly over the past sixty years. Friedman masterfully opens insights, and one hopes debate, on a fundamental set of problems Americans have willfully ignored, and for which they have been paying a heavy price."
Walter LaFeber, Tisch University Professor Emeritus, Cornell University
"This very impressive book draws on original research from archives across the world to thoroughly rebuke the abuse and overuse of the term anti-Americanism. In a lucid and commanding manner Friedman challenges us to move beyond using the word 'anti-Americanism' to score political points or attempt to silence critics. Further, he offers a compelling argument about what the United States has to gain from listening to, and engaging with, its critics."
Brendon O'Connor, University of Sydney
"Traditionally, writings on anti-Americanism have focused on why other nations dislike the United States. Asking how the focus on the question 'why do they hate us?' has affected American politics and U.S. relations with the world, Max Paul Friedman investigates the history of the concept of anti-Americanism with surprising and illuminating conclusions. He demonstrates that it has restricted and at times poisoned political discourse, and poorly served the making of foreign policy by failing to take seriously criticisms from abroad and learning more about other parts of the world. Friedman has written an original and convincing analysis of an understudied issue."
David F. Schmitz, Robert Allen Skotheim Chair of History, Whitman College
"... this work offers a needed corrective on a much-misunderstood subject. Highly recommended."
Choice
"This book looks specifically at how anti-Americanism has been used as a quasi-diagnostic concept by Americans trying to understand why foreigners resist American policies."
Rob Kroes, Journal of American History
"Max Paul Friedman's sophisticated and deeply researched new book charts the long pedigree for these common contemporary judgments about the 'anti-American' quality of those who oppose and sometimes attack the United States."
Jeremi Suri, H-Diplo
"Professor Max Paul Friedman of American University has written another outstanding book."
Stephen G. Rabe, History: Reviews of New Books
"Remarkable are the many new details that Friedman has brought to light ..."
January Hansen, sehepunkte
"Max Paul Friedman has crafted here a highly original, and excellent, investigation of anti-Americanism cast in a brand new light ... This remarkable book, fluidly written and very enjoyable to read, is based on thorough historical research in United States, Latin American, and Western European archives."
Sophie Meunier, Political Science Quarterly
"Max Paul Friedman's study traces how the term [anti-Americanism] has been used historically and suggests the discursive power it has come to have in specific times and places. In pursuing this goal, it also plumbs the diverse meanings of 'America' itself. This book could be considered a transnational intellectual history - a very difficult genre because of the need to chart the multiplicity of connotations and contexts over time and place ... This smart and significant book not only demonstrates the importance of methodological innovation and transnational research but offers valuable insights about US policymaking - both past and future."
Emily S. Rosenberg, Journal of American Studies
"[Friedman] has produced an outstanding piece of work that no scholar of 'anti-Americanism' will be able to ignore; original and thought provoking, this is a revisionist study in the best meaning of the term."
Egbert Klautke, Journal of Contemporary History
