The United States defends its militarism and imperialism by saying that it is trying to promote democracy. But the concept of democracy receives little critical scrutiny within American political discourse, and the postwar historical record reveals a pervasive legacy of U.S. support for military dictatorships and authoritarian regimes. In his brilliant new book, Carl Boggs weighs this and numerous other ... Read morecontradictions that foretell the demise of 'lone superpower.' Imperial Delusions is the first book to deal comprehensively with the historical, economic, political, cultural, and criminal aspects of American militarism.
Chalmers Johnson, author of The Sorrows of Empire Imperial Delusions is a brilliant book. It is vintage Carl Boggs, perhaps even his best book to date. Imperial Delusions shatters the myth of 'humanitarian' intervention, revealing it to be little more than dressed up imperialist war. It is a stinging indictment of U.S. foreign policy and the expansion and consolidation of the military industrial complex. Boggs reveals how the U.S. military has routinely targeted civilian populations as an integral part of its strategy, from the firebombing of Germany and Japan in WWII and dropping of the atomic bomb, to Vietnam's scorched earth, search-and-destroy, 'kill em all' strategies, to the shock and awe invasion and occupation of Baghdad. Imperial Delusions is a text that students throughout the country need to read. In fact, it should be compulsory reading in our high schools and universities.
Peter McLaren, Honorary Chair Professor and Director of the Center for Critical Studies, Northeast Normal University, China Imperial Delusions is a terrifyingly convincing portrayal of an aggressive, militarized state willing to risk everything in a historic bid for complete world domination. While not everyone will agree with Boggs’ controversial views, even the most skeptical reader will be swept away by the main force of his argument. Boggs shows how the American state, freed from the constraints of the Cold War, its influence augmented rather than diminished by globalization, has embarked on a reckless strategy that places it on a direct collision course with the rest of the world. Imperial Delusions promises to redefine the debate over the uses and misuses of American power.
John Sanbonmatsu, author of The Postmodern Prince: Critical Theory, Left Strategy, and the Making of a New Political Subject Carl Boggs's timely study of growing U.S. militarism is a must-read for all critical citizens. Insightful, passionate, and hard-hitting, this book is pervaded by its author's unwavering commitment to the democratic ideal.
Manfred B. Steger, Professor of Global Politics, University of Hawai'i-Manoa The author is a clear communicator of his polemical position, and his erudite apparatus provides a valuable resource for studying the history of anti-military scholarship in the U.S.
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This collection of well-documented essays concludes that the resurgence of out-of-control militarism is in large part attributed to America's failure to confront a dark legacy of "imperialsim and empire building."
Karl Helicher
Foreword Reviews
Boggs has written a provocative, engaging indictment of U.S. militarism.
Political Studies Review
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