Beyond Patriotism, From Truman To Obama

As the title suggests, the thesis of this well-researched book is that a large proportion of the American public has moved beyond patriotism to a post-national view of international affairs, putting the good of humanity in first place. The author sees this as a sign of moral maturity and the outcome of a series of disastrous foreign policy initiatives, beginning in the early 1960s with Vietnam and passing through Afghanistan and Iraq. There is a background chapter on the histories of the Cold War from both sides and a fascinating account of the power of the US president in making decisions relating to the dropping of the atomic bomb, Korea and the Cuban invasion. Flynn describes the fascinating debate around the decision to drop the first atomic bomb both in terms of arguments for and against and also considerations of whether to dropped a demonstration bomb in a sparsely populated area and if it would make any difference if the Japanese realised what was coming. In the event, we know the outcome, but there was much debate and discussion behind the scenes. The Middle East receives detailed treatment, but the one omission that in my view would have reinforced his case enormously is the truth about 9/11 as a false flag operation. The administration managed to use it as a way of reinforcing patriotism, when, for those who take the view that it was an inside job, the event gives rise to a deep cynicism about the intentions of government. I understand that the recent video Dirty Wars reinforces this proposition. Having said that, the author sets out the kind of America that could provide constructive global leadership and still be loved. Let's hope that his vision eventually prevails.