Books & ideas

American Exceptionalism at Its End

Nicolas Delalande — 2008-11-28T11:00:08Z

What are the origins of American exceptionalism? How much of the Bush administration's foreign policy and the temptation of imperialism can one ascribe to this belief in an America outside of the world stage? Thomas Bender, American historian, proposes a new narrative of American history in this time of change to give it back its rightful place, as a history among histories.

American Military Strategy: New Thinking and Complications

Mary Kaldor — 2008-11-03T12:11:56Z

New strategies have been tested in Iraq since 2007. Mary Kaldor describes the theoretical origins of this new doctrine of lesser force and greater population concern and discusses its outcomes and potential enforcement in Afghanistan.

Is There a Reawakening of American Democracy?

Nicolas Delalande — 2008-10-28T08:44:57Z

While the presidential campaign is coming to an end, Eric Foner, one of the most prominent American historians, analyses the changes of American democracy and explains why this election could mark a shift in the history of American politics. Barack Obama's campaign could be an important step toward a society where race would no longer be a powerful dividing line.

Red Ribbon and Black Silence

Sylvie Laurent — 2008-10-02T10:54:36Z

How is it possible to talk about the ravages of AIDS on the Black population of the United States without leaving oneself open to being viewed as racist, moralizing or simply communitarian? Barack Obama says he is determined to engage the United States in the fight against this worldwide plague but has a hard time talking about AIDS as an American evil and even less so as an African-American one.

American democracy after Bush : out with the Republican Party, in with the republican Spirit

Dick Howard — 2008-02-18T11:51:48Z

The now widespread call for “change” reflects a resurgence of the still-present republican spirit that has characterized America when it is at its best, which is, alas, not always the case. But which is the best candidate to fulfil this longing?