|
|
||
 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BOOK REVIEW The Central Liberal Truth: How Politics Can Change A Culture and Save It From Itself by Lawrence E. Harrison Oxford University Press - May 2006
Reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Dolhenty I would hope (probably in vain) that Lawrence Harrison's The Central Liberal Truth be required reading for all those involved in the making of foreign policy, especially those within the government of the United States. I specifically mention the United States government, not because other countries need not reflect on their foreign policies but simply, as the world's only remaining superpower, American foreign policy is crucial and virtually defines the status of contemporary international relations. While recognizing that the history of the United States is fraught with foreign policy mistakes and disasters, it must also be recognized that it does not stand alone in this area. The past two centuries have experienced many bullies in the global arena and, at least, the United States has not been responsible for as much human destruction as that brought about by Germany under Hitler, the Soviet Union under Stalin, and Communist China under Mao. I will not join those who think the U.S.A. is always wrong, the greatest threat to world peace, or the planet's "Great Satan." Now, with that disclaimer taken care of and before I get into Harrison's book, I need to bring up something which I found confusing at the outset. The book's description includes the following statement: "Harrison rejects the Bush administration's doctrine that 'the values of freedom are right and true for every person, in every society.'" I assume that this inclusion had the author's approval. Nowhere in the book, however, do I find a definitive rejection of this so-called "Bush doctrine." The actual text in the book (p. 2) is this and it relates to the influence of "culture": "It [culture] is also a key factor in foreign policy, with particular relevance to the Bush administration's keystone policy of promoting democracy: '[the] values of freedom are right and true for every person, in every society.' If culture matters in making democracy work...and as the disappointing experience of the United States in promoting democracy...suggests, then the keystone is likely to crumble under the pressure of cultures averse to democracy, as in the Arab countries..." I'm sorry, but I don't see this as a "rejection" of such a "doctrine" (or "principle" as I would call it). I agree that making democracy "work" in a country that has no history of democratic ideas or institutions or is fundamentally averse to democracy in the first place might be virtually impossible, but that does not mean that the ideal of the "values of freedom" are not universally "right and true." I would like to interpret Harrison to mean that, while the "ideal" is universally true and desirable, it is not a "realistic" and immediate goal at the present time in the current international situation. After all, it took England centuries to evolve its democratic institutions and the United States itself was built on this tradition and it still took the U.S. many years after its founding to give women the right to vote and grant civil rights to certain minorities. In fact, America is still in the process of evolution in this regard. Bush's foreign policy regarding promoting democracy in the Arab lands may be naive and misguided (as I believe it is), but the ideal, in my opinion, remains viable even though practically unrealizable in the present moment. The major reason I think this book is vitally important is because it emphasizes "culture" as a prime ingredient in constructing any foreign policy. Harrison defines culture as "the body of values, beliefs, and attitudes that members of a society share," and which is influenced by many factors such as religious practices, educational systems, information sources, interpersonal relationships, and so on. For all too long, in my view, foreign policies have been shaped only by politics, economics, and military considerations. This I believe has led to the disastrous results we see in America's attempt to change other societies into "progressive democracies," particularly in Latin America and the Middle East. What I am trying to say is that churning out a foreign policy without considering the "culture" of the country toward which it is directed is most likely doomed to failure. This also explains, in my opinion, why our current Iraqi occupation is problematic (to say the least!) and will lead to one of two outcomes: (1) American troops will occupy Iraq for many decades and forcibly "impose" a sham democracy, or (2) American troops will be pulled from Iraq and the country will revert to tribal and religious warfare, resulting most likely in an authoritarian government of some sort. (Bush would have been better off consulting philosophers, theologians, and anthropologists before invading Iraq and then deciding it was probably a hopeless cause.) Harrison's book contains much valuable information. I was especially impressed with the chart in chapter two illustrating a "Typology of Progress-Prone and Progress-Resistant Cultures." Four main categories are included -- Worldview, Values/Virtues, Economic Behavior, Social Behavior -- and these contain 25 items under an appropriate category. The chapter then discusses in some detail each of the items included, bringing together much recent research from a wide variety of resources. Also of particular interest to me was his chapter on "Religions and Progress" which also contains a "Religion Summary Chart" with references to such items as literacy, fertility, freedom, corruption, etc., delineated by religious category and country. He discusses various religious traditions and indicates how they are either progress-promoting or progress-resistent. And he provides the empirical data to support his conclusions and generalizations. There are a lot more good things to say about The Central Liberal Truth but, unfortunately, word-count restraints prohibit me from discussing them. Let me, however, conclude with this evaluation. This is an "excellent" and, moreover, thoroughly "realistic" book on this particular subject. Furthermore, in my view, American foreign policy will not be consummately "realistic" in any sense until the suggestions proffered by Harrison and his colleagues in the numerous studies cited in the book are taken seriously and put into practice. Highly recommended! 
Order at Amazon.com Order at Powell's Books |
|
|
|
|
|
Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Book... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
[Homepage] [Newsletter] [Search] [Support the Academy] [Link to Us] [Contact the Academy] [Citing Articles from Our Website] [Privacy Policy & Disclaimer]
Copyright 1998-99, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2004-05, & 2006 by The Radical Academy. All Rights Reserved.