Glimmer of a new Leviathan : total war in the realism of Niebuhr, Morgenthau, and Waltz

The Second World War put an end to America's historical isolationism. Three American thinkers—Reinhold Niebuhr, Hans Morgenthau, and Kenneth Waltz—developed a modern strategic framework that sought to introduce Americans to the harsher realities of international politics. Yet even as the United States began to embrace this new Realism, atomic weaponry threatened to make it absurd. This engrossing story of how the three chief architects of a powerful ideology struggled with the implications of their own creation offers crucial context for contemporary debates about the resort to war and weapons of mass destruction. The Second World War put an end to America's historical isolation from international power politics, and so also to the long-standing American defiance of the Realist ideology that shaped Old World affairs. The advent of transoceanic military technologies, now wielded by menacing states such as Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, made Americans more receptive to the Realist idea that international relations is about fear and survival. The American Realists Reinhold Niebuhr, Hans Morgenthau, and Kenneth Waltz developed a modern strategic framework that sought to introduce American leaders and the educated public to these harsher realities of international politics. They emphasized a clear-eyed, cold approach to the play of interests, egotism, and the drive for power in world affairs—a struggle in which the threat of major war remained, in the end, the only legitimate currency. Yet even as Americans began to accept this new Realism, thermonuclear weaponry threatened to make it absurd. A major war to defend the nation might result in its total destruction; a thermonuclear war leading to the death of hundreds of millions of citizens seemed an unusual way to preserve American survival. This dilemma became central to the Realist understanding of Niebuhr, Morgenthau, and Waltz. How could a Realist approach to international politics and war be sustained in the face of possible global annihilation? __Glimmer of a New Leviathan__ is the engrossing story of how the three chief architects of an influential ideology struggled with the implications of their own creation. It offers crucial historical context for contemporary debates about weapons of mass destruction and the post-Cold War international order. "The Second World War put an end to America's historical isolation from international power politics, and so also to the long-standing American defiance of the Realist ideology that shaped Old World affairs. The advent of transoceanic military technologies, now wielded by menacing states such as Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, made Americans more receptive to the Realist idea that international relations is about fear and survival. The American Realists Reinhold Niebuhr, Hans Morgenthau, and Kenneth Waltz developed a modern strategic framework that sought to introduce American leaders and the educated public to these harsher realities of international politics. They emphasized a clear-eyed, cold approach to the play of interests, egotism, and the drive for power in world affairs--a struggle in which the threat of major war remained, in the end, the only legitimate currency. Yet even as Americans began to accept this new Realism, thermonuclear weaponry threatened to make it absurd. A major war to defend the nation might result in its total destruction; a thermonuclear war leading to the death of hundreds of millions of citizens seemed an unusual way to preserve American survival. This dilemma became central to the Realist understanding of Niebuhr, Morgenthau, and Waltz. How could a Realist approach to international politics and war be sustained in the face of possible global annihilation? Glimmer of a New Leviathan is the engrossing story of how the three chief architects of an influential ideology struggled with the implications of their own creation. It offers crucial historical context for contemporary debates about weapons of mass destruction and the post-Cold War international order."-- Provided by publisher Content: The Historical Setting of Modern American Realism and the Thermonuclear Revolution Reinhold Niebuhr and the Emergence of American Realism, 1932-44 Harsh Realism for an Atomic Age? Hans Morgenthau, 1946-52 Niebuhr and the Thermonuclear Dilemma, 1945-1963 Morgenthau and the Thermonuclear Dilemma The Waltzian Turn Retreat from Parsimony Conclusion Abstract: Presents the story of how the three chief architects of an influential ideology struggled with the implications of their own creation. This book offers historical context for contemporary debates about weapons of mass destruction and the post-Cold War international order. � Read more...

the Second World War Put An End To America's Historical Isolationism. Three American Thinkers — Reinhold Niebuhr, Hans Morgenthau, And Kenneth Waltz — Developed A Modern Strategic Framework That Sought To Introduce Americans To The Harsher Realities Of International Politics. Yet Even As The United States Began To Embrace This New Realism, Atomic Weaponry Threatened To Make It Absurd. This Engrossing Story Of How The Three Chief Architects Of A Powerful Ideology Struggled With The Implications Of Their Own Creation Offers Crucial Context For Contemporary Debates About The Resort To War And Weapons Of Mass Destruction.

Cover 1 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Contents 8 Preface 10 Acknowledgments 20 1. The Historical Setting of Modern American Realism and the Thermonuclear Revolution 26 2. Reinhold Niebuhr and the Emergence of American Realism 57 3. Hans Morgenthau’s Cold War 79 4. Niebuhr and the Thermonuclear Dilemma 99 5. Morgenthau and the Thermonuclear Dilemma 118 6. The Waltzian Turn 142 7. Retreat from Parsimony 162 Conclusion 191 Bibliography 200 Index 212 "Campbell Craig is a senior lecturer in American history and founding director of the honors program in diplomacy and international relations at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand."--Jacket