Power and Purpose - by James M Goldgeier & Michael McFaul (Paperback)

About the Book

Russia, once seen as America's greatest adversary, is now viewed by the United States as a potential partner. This book traces the evolution of American foreign policy toward the Soviet Union, and later Russia, during the tumultuous and uncertain period follo...

Book Synopsis

Russia, once seen as America's greatest adversary, is now viewed by the United States as a potential partner. This book traces the evolution of American foreign policy toward the Soviet Union, and later Russia, during the tumultuous and uncertain period following the end of the cold war. It examines how American policymakers--particularly in the executive branch--coped with the opportunities and challenges presented by the new Russia. Drawing on extensive interviews with senior U.S. and Russian officials, the authors explain George H. W. Bush's response to the dramatic coup of August 1991 and the Soviet breakup several months later, examine Bill Clinton's efforts to assist Russia's transformation and integration, and analyze George W. Bush's policy toward Russia as September 11 and the war in Iraq transformed international politics. Throughout, the book focuses on the benefits and perils of America's efforts to promote democracy and markets in Russia as well as reorient Russia from security threat to security ally. Understanding how three U.S. administrations dealt with these critical policy questions is vital in assessing not only America's Russia policy, but also efforts that might help to transform and integrate other former adversaries in the future.

Review Quotes

"If there is one book to read on what shaped American policy toward the Soviet Union in its last years and Russia throughout the last decade, this is it. It offers more than a narrative; it offers an explanation within a very useful conceptual framework. It understands that policy is not made either in a vacuum or by simple bureaucratic imperatives. It is the product of ideas and real people who embrace those ideas. The pull between those who believed we could and should transform Russia and those who focused principally on the security dimensions of the relationship has, to differing degrees, shaped the policies of the first Bush, Clinton, and current Bush administrations. That reality, and the lessons to be learned from it, are thoroughly explored in this superb book." -- "Ambassador Dennis B. Ross"

"James Goldgeier of George Washington University and Michael McFaul of Stanford University have done an admirable job chronicling the Russia policies of the first Bush, Clinton, and second Bush administrations.... Using extensive interviews with participants in all three administrations, and memoirs by former officials, they paint a compelling picture of officials often overwhelmed by the challenge of an entirely new reality." --Angela E Stent, "World Policy Journal", 12/1/2003

"POWER AND PURPOSE is likely to be the definitive work on U.S. policy toward Russia for some time. What is more, the authors have produced a valuable book that underscores an often overlooked reality, namely, that few foreign policy outcomes are inevitable and that people --in some cases, only a handful --are critical to what happens." --Richard N. Haass, President, Council on Foreign Relations

"POWER AND PURPOSE provides the best coverage of this crucial issue that I have read. Combining a thorough narrative with incisive analysis, Goldgeier and McFaul present clearly the making of U.S. policies toward Russia in recent years --where we got it right and where we should have done much better. A real contribution and a good read as well. " --Anthony Lake, former National Security Adviser

"The authors... have documented their topic well.... The book discusses three US administrations, those run by Father and Son Bush, and Bill Clinton. Goldgeier and McFaul emphasize the difference in purpose between these three administrations.... This book stands out as a seminal work. It is likely to last because of its eminent sources and judicious assessments, and it is well edited and a pleasant read." --Anders Aslund, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, "International Affairs", 5/1/2004

"This book gives the reader more than its title indicates. Its authors trace U.S. policy in conjunction with both Russian foreign policy and changes in Russian democratization, human rights issues, and economic development from the late 1980s into 2003." --Peter Juviler, "Political Science Quarterly"

About the Author

James M. Goldgeier is director of the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies at George Washington University, where he is associate professor of political science and international affairs. He is also an adjunct senior fellow in Europe studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Michael McFaul is a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment, the Peter and Helen Bing senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, and an associate professor of political science at Stanford University. A prolific author, he is one of the world's leading specialists on democracy development in the former Soviet states.