Conversations with History: Institute
of International Studies, UC Berkeley
This interview is part of the Institute's "Conversations
with History" series, and uses Internet technology to share with the public
Berkeley's distinction as a global forum for ideas.
Welcome to a Conversation with History. I'm Harry
Kreisler of the Institute of International Studies. Our guest today
is James Mann. James Mann is Author in Residence at Johns Hopkins School
for Advanced International Studies. For many years he was a diplomatic
correspondent and the foreign affairs columnist for the Los Angeles
Times. He is the author most recently
of The Rise of the Vulcans: The History of Bush's War Cabinet. His other
two books were on China, and the second of those books was About Face: A
History of America's Curious Relationship with China, from Nixon to Clinton.
- Background ... on not becoming a
doctor ... loving writing
- Being a Reporter ... the diplomacy
beat ... bringing Asia coverage to the LA Times ... inherent conflict
with diplomats ... uncovering China's weapons sale to Pakistan ... the luxury
of developing a story ... presidential administrations and the press
- The Vulcans ... foreign policy advisors
from earlier administrations ... the Condoleeza Rice connection ... three
post-Vietnam War perspectives ... Democrats' wish to limit US power ... some
Republicans' opposition to détente ... cross-party push to rebuild
US military power ... Vulcans' skepticism of international institutions and/or
accommodation ... ideals linked to military force ... fourth school questions
limits of powers
- The Cold War's End ... short-lived
"peace dividend" ... series of failed rationales for not reducing
the defense budget ... blueprint for "strategic depth" drafted by
Wolfowitz ... resultant unilateralism in all recent administrations
- Continuity in Unilateralist Approach
... unilateralist action in Kosovo ... rejecting French aid against Taliban
... post-9/11 agenda normalizes unpopular strategy ... unilateralism in Clinton
years
- Moralism and Military Power ... Wilsonian
ideals ... Reagan's "evil empire" ... philosophy of Leo Strauss
and Alan Blume ... wedding moral superiority with military power ... unilateralism
in Clinton years ... neoconservative shift in stance on promoting democracy
... lack of alternative vision among Democrats
- Conclusion ... sense of irony in
covering diplomatic affairs ... importance of historical perspective
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