The Case for American Power Unedited Review
"The political theorist Sam Mace weighs in on my new book, calling it "an increasingly rare spectacle." Sam's piece also serves as a brilliant standalone essay on the future of American power, morality, and democracy.
Grateful to him for both the kind words and thoughtful criticisms. Really a must-read. This his strongest challenge to me: He asks if the America I admire and idealize "still exists or even if it ever existed."
It's a good question. I don't think my book is a "paean to empire" as some critical reviewers have suggested. It's more a paean to an America as an idea or a faith. How real is that America? I wrestle with this, which is why I've described my book as an "anguished manifesto.""
So everyone is aware, I am on friendly terms with Shadi, and he has been gracious enough not only to send me an advanced copy of his book but to talk to me about it. I have also engaged with his work previously, which has influenced how I have read this particular effort. Of course, being friendly with a writer of a work usually disqualifies it from re…
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