Governmental Ideology of James Q. Wilsons American Politics Then and Now: And Other Essays - Book Report/Review Example

A Book Review of James Q. Wilson’s American Politics Then and Now: And Other EssaysIntroduction Being unilateral is not unusual for the United States. Every time its integral interests are implicated the nation responds independently to defend them without great consideration of the judgment of her allies and supporters. The nation’s past isolationism rule, for instance, is also one-sided, although unconstructively so. The somewhat frank declaration of former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld regarding Iraq that his nation’s task will establish the alliance, not vice versa, was simply the most contemporary illustration of the one-sidedness of the U.S. at its finest or, perhaps nastiest.

By waging war against Iraq in the face of UN’s resistance, former President Bush effectively proclaimed that the nation had revived the practice of recreating the world in its likeness. Moderating the superpower and controlling its human capital, physical wealth, and energy, as well as its continuing flash of utopianism and liberality for the sake of humanity is the biggest test confronting the rest of the world now. To this objective it is important that ‘foreigners’, such as the Latin Americans, Asians, Europeans, and Africans, dedicate themselves more and more vigilantly and constantly to the objective and continuous study of the giant, as accurately claimed by James Q.

Wilson in his book American Politics Then and Now: And Other Essays (2010). As stated by Wilson (2010), he thinks that legislators and informed citizens across the globe should learn and understand, not essentially promote, the ideologies of the U.S., its mindset and behavior, in other words, its weaknesses. Only through this understanding that the rest of the world can involve the U.S. successfully and for the interest and benefit of humanity. It is in this perspective that the compendium of essays by political scientists that James Q.

Wilson consolidated is of special importance. In his preliminary commentaries, Wilson precisely warns against the well-known non-American hobby of ridiculing the United States, its foundations and civic or public domain. He mentions a number of latest events in the nation and public standpoints on major issues that ‘deserve’ derision. The politicized, disputed, and egotistical character of Bush’s final triumph over Al Gore in the 2000 elections without doubt did not raise the reputation of American democracy.

The passionate antics of Bill Clinton and the impeachment tragedy encouraged remarks about the lampoon political and public life ruled by cash, constitutional laboriousness and absence of values in the nation, Wilson comments. Wilson is correct in drawing attention to the fact that leaders of the United Kingdom and the United States are inclined to search for and unravel similarities and linkages and currently even junction between the two nations. He strengthens his argument of the mutual relationship between the two countries through a consideration of several historical episodes.

The manner Tony Blair espoused the campaign approach and electoral strategies of Bill Clinton to take over the conservatives’ program and to achieve neutral territory represents a remarkable similarity of convergence, as argued by Wilson. However, America, after the 9/11 attack, is obtaining the features of a militant state. Wilson advises his readers to not lose hope that America has the flexibility to survive the anti-terrorist fear beleaguering the nation and persist to be a liberal polity in the foreseeable future.

In his insightful discussion of American politics and the media, Wilson highlights how the ‘for-profit demand’ and the media’s highly competitive setting were the roots of the chain of misinformation in the 2000 presidential elections. Wilson explores the character of the popular conservatives and its effect on major concerns such as capital punishment, racial segregation, faith schools, abortion, and the relationship between the state and federal government. Wilson presents ‘a different’ way of exploring the intricate connection between the Congress and the executive.

Yet, Wilson overlooks the major aspects, such as the part of public opinion and the nature of the intricate connection between the Congress and the president. Because neither branch is completely on top of things, the executive who has the ability to rule and strengthen the faith of the American people in the government can win through. As a student on American politics, I find the commentaries of James Q. Wilson and other American political scientists to be of special value. It will be interesting to conduct a comparative study of related works by other ‘non-American’ academics of the United States of America.

Scholars as well as informed and concerned citizens will experience American Politics Then and Now: And Other Essay as a perfect learning venture in the field of American politics. ReferencesWilson, James. American Politics Then and Now: And Other Essay. Washington, DC: AEI Press, 2010.