Frank Ninkovich

A review of US diplomatic history since the 1890's. Interesting survey, but an odd thesis. Ninkovich seems to think that Wilsonianism is the dominant theme in US Diplomacy since 1919, but his definition is questionable. He defines Wilsonianism as a) war has become too destructive to be an effective extension of policy. b) a spark anywhere in the world could potentially start another world war. c) Therefore the US must take a proactive stance and head off potential instability wherever it starts, a major school of thought in the cold war. His definition of Wilsonianism is out of step with most other scholarship. He rarely mentions self-determination or international legalism. I would probably like this book more if he had used a different terminology, but his overall point on how the US reacts when under threat is convincing.… (meer)