Book Review: David Betz, Carnage and Connectivity: Landmarks in the Decline of Conventional Military Power
| Date | 01 November 2017 |
| Published date | 01 November 2017 |
| DOI | 10.1177/1478929917712908 |
| Subject Matter | Book ReviewsInternational Relations |
Political Studies Review 15(4)
The Trump Phenomenon and the Future of
States. Ultimately, the authors put their hopes
US Foreign Policy by Daniel Quinn Mills and
in Trump to reverse the subordination of
Steven Rosefielde. London: World Scientific
American foreign policy to international com-
Publishing, 2017. 197pp., £21.00 (p/b), ISBN
mitments.
9789813200999
Regretfully, this book does not deliver. It
begins interestingly, stating that Trump’s view
This book by Daniel Mills and Steven
on international politics is largely correct.
Rosefielde argues that a ‘sane’ foreign policy
However, the authors never justify this claim.
based upon democratic nationalism will further
Moreover, the authors’ insights are often topi-
the United States’ interests in the world through
cal and they rarely present any evidence to sup-
strategic independence, since it puts American
port their claims. Furthermore, the chapters
interests ahead of international commitments.
themselves feel disjointed, the thoughts mud-
The authors contrast democratic nationalism
dled and they rarely conclude with anything to
with internationalist cosmopolitanism, which
say of importance. Unfortunately, I cannot rec-
benefits insiders and bankrupts the country. In
ommend this book for someone seeking a
contrasting these foreign policies, the authors
framework on how the Trump administration
detail what they believe a successful foreign
will, or should, approach US foreign policy.
policy entails, current international dangers and
the failure of current policy.
Mark Grzegorzewski
In Part I, Mills and Rosefielde claim that
(Joint Special Operations University, Florida)
Trump has correctly recognised the disease that
© The Author(s) 2017
plagues the United States, meaning US foreign
Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav
policy confusion and incoherence, yet Trump
DOI: 10.1177/1478929917714963
journals.sagepub.com/home/psrev
has yet to...
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