Unfinished Business: America and Cuba after the Cold War, 1989–2001 - Softcover

Morley, Morris; McGillion, Chris

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521520401 ISBN 13: 9780521520409

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2002

Synopsis

In this first comprehensive study of U.S. policy toward Cuba in the post-Cold War era, Morris Morley and Chris McGillion draw on interviews with Bush and Clinton policymakers, congressional participants in the policy debate, and leaders of the anti-sanctions business community to argue that Bush and Clinton operated within the same Cold War framework that shaped the Cuba policy of their predecessors. They also demonstrate that U.S. policy after 1989 was driven principally by domestic imperatives. The result was the pursuit of a policy that had nothing to do with its stated objectives of promoting reforms in Cuba and everything to do with dismantling Castro's regime. This study also addresses the international consequences: the extraterritorial applications of national laws to America's allies; and a willingness to put in danger the operations of the global free trade regime. Few issues more starkly revealed the degree to which U.S. policymakers exhibited a striking lack of realism about America's capacity to impose its will globally. Morris Morley has taught at SUNY-Binghamton and American Unversity. He is the author of Imperial State and Revolution (Cambridge, 1987) and Washington, Somoza and the Sandanistas (Cambridge, 1994) He is a senior research fellow with the Council on Hemispheric Affairs. Chris McGillion has taught at the Universities of Sydney and New South Wales, and Macquarie University. He is a former editorial page editor of the Sydney Morning Herald and has written for the Political Science Quarterly. As a journalist, he has made several trips to Cuba.

About this title

Book Description:

This is the first comprehensive study of U.S. policy toward Cuba in the post-Cold War era. Drawing on interviews with Bush and Clinton policymakers, congressional participants in the policy debate, and leaders of the anti-sanctions business community, it makes an important original contribution to our knowledge of the evolution of American policy during this period.This study argues that Bush and Clinton operated within the same Cold War framework that shaped the Cuba policy of their predecessors. But it also demonstrated that U.S. policy after 1989 was driven principally by the imperatives of domestic politics.

Review:

"This excellent book exhaustively examines the relationship between domestic policy and foreign policy. The influence of one over the other is amply illustrated--in this case, the major role played by the Cuban-American National Foundation ... in influencing policy toward Cuba.... Highly recommended." Choice

"...Morley and McGillion provide a complete review of US-Cuba relations in the last decade... they also provide insightful commentary on the contradictory, disaster-prone, and counter-productive measures taken by the Washington establishment." The International History Review

"A worthwhile and recommended read." H-DIPLO

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0521520401
• ISBN 13: 9780521520409
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 264