Two New Rave Reviews

Survival Review
A publication of the International Institute for Strategic Studies
Vol 50, No 2, April/May 2008

The wide-ranging essays in [Security First] add up to a comprehensive strategy for the West informed by Etzioni’s ‘neo-communitarian’ perspective. At the heart of his approach is the notion of the ‘Primacy of Life.’ He makes a credible case that the right to physical security is the foundation of all other rights, not to mention a necessary precondition for the development of democracy.  In a world where much of the ‘global public opinion’ is determined by moral and religious perceptions and fiercely resistant to…Western models, the United States should eschew counterproductive attempts at regime change, democratization, and ‘social engineering’ and base its foreign policy on the ethical (and practical) principle of ‘security first’… 

[Etzioni] argues convincingly that declaring ‘either you are with us or with the terrorists’, and dividing the world – especially the Muslim world – into supporters for liberal democracy and the rest, serves to alienate the majority who do not wish to embrace Western political and social values but who oppose violence…The United States, according to Etzioni, should actively court (rather than waste its time trying to convert) the ‘global swing vote’ of ‘illiberal moderates’.... [Etzioni] has written a wise and stimulating book.

If you wish to read the full review, it is available for purchase here.

Contemporary Sociology Review
May 2008, Vol. 37, No 3
By Professor Meredith Kleykamp
University of Kansas

 
In Security First, Amitai Etzioni presents an expansive argument advocating a U-turn in U.S. foreign policy: our international stance should be based not on the spread of democracy across the globe, but rather on ensuring basic physical security at home (from nuclear terrorism) and abroad (from murderous regimes).  The book tackles important, difficult questions that bear directly on American foreign policy in the coming years… 

Etzioni’s arguments reflect a communitarian philosophy at several levels.  As a member of a global community, the U.S. has a moral obligation to ensure others’ freedom from physical harm, torture, and ethnic cleansing… But in rebuilding failing states, we must incorporate pre-existing internal communities, building from a base of shared norms and values... 

Putting security first, Etzioni makes clear we often must make the difficult choice to support regimes that will ensure corporal security of residents but may not uphold the liberal values… The book clearly advocates a return to pragmatic foreign policy solutions, but pragmatism bound by principle…

Security First is an important book for scholars…This book may not offer a detailed solution to every foreign policy dilemma, but it need not do so to be successful.  Its strength lies in starting a much-needed dialogue about where our national foreign policy should go from here.

The full review is available here.