Textbook Analysis: The Limits of Power
Former military officer Andrew Bacevich, describes in his book, The Limits of Power, the
decline of America’s power. Using the three different causes and their origins, Bacevich takes
readers on a journey of decline, from conception to his Achilles Heel, the “generational war”
(Bacevich, 4). He uses his unique experiences within the military to ground his views and lay
blame with citizens and leaders alike. As a whole, Bacevich provides an informative, well-
written and colorful interpretation to the question of decline, citing real loses of power mixed
with an ever present hate for President George W. Bush and the invasion of Iraq and
Afghanistan. …show more content…
The crisis of profligacy or culture, as he noted, has; perhaps, the most undeniable proof
of the United States of America’s loss of power. Bacevich acknowledges that after World War II,
America was responsible for more than half of the world’s manufacturing and two-thirds of the
planet 's gold reserves (Bacevich, 24). He adds that the country had a revenue from its foreign
trade balance and was accountable for one-third of world exports (Bacevich,24). These factors
are arguably proof of America’s dominance in the area just after the second world war.
However, he quickly counters with the American desire of “more” and the consequences of an
insatiable American public (Bacevich, 16).
Another crisis Bacevich wrote of was that of politics. He claims that American democracy
has decayed over the years with the president gaining too many unchecked powers
(Bacevich, 68). He charges congress with only occasionally trying to limit presidential powers,
and only doing so to gain an advantage for their party (Bacevich, 69). Bacevich also …show more content…
He accuses both Bush
and Rumsfeld of placing “yes men” around them leading them to the ill-advised conclusion that
Iraq did in-fact have weapons of mass destruction (Bacevich, 99-100). His disdain for Bush and
his administration was unmistakable throughout the book.
Contrary to Bacevich, prominent political scientist Joseph Nye, believes that America is not in
a decline. Nye asserts that America has retained its aforementioned power; but, other
countries are now becoming more powerful. In his book The Future of Power, Nye stays
superficial. He discusses types of power and which of those America needs to focus on without
ever specifically mentioning his own political beliefs. Nye chooses instead, to lay out a plan that
will guide both citizens and politicians alike to a desired power outcome. While, Nye does
layout a thorough plan, the pinnacle is what he calls, smart power. Nye describes smart power
as “finding ways to combine resources into successful strategies in the new context of power
diffusion” (Nye, 207-208). Nye offers a realistic approach to guiding the United States into
Former military officer Andrew Bacevich, describes in his book, The Limits of Power, the
decline of America’s power. Using the three different causes and their origins, Bacevich takes
readers on a journey of decline, from conception to his Achilles Heel, the “generational war”
(Bacevich, 4). He uses his unique experiences within the military to ground his views and lay
blame with citizens and leaders alike. As a whole, Bacevich provides an informative, well-
written and colorful interpretation to the question of decline, citing real loses of power mixed
with an ever present hate for President George W. Bush and the invasion of Iraq and
Afghanistan. …show more content…
The crisis of profligacy or culture, as he noted, has; perhaps, the most undeniable proof
of the United States of America’s loss of power. Bacevich acknowledges that after World War II,
America was responsible for more than half of the world’s manufacturing and two-thirds of the
planet 's gold reserves (Bacevich, 24). He adds that the country had a revenue from its foreign
trade balance and was accountable for one-third of world exports (Bacevich,24). These factors
are arguably proof of America’s dominance in the area just after the second world war.
However, he quickly counters with the American desire of “more” and the consequences of an
insatiable American public (Bacevich, 16).
Another crisis Bacevich wrote of was that of politics. He claims that American democracy
has decayed over the years with the president gaining too many unchecked powers
(Bacevich, 68). He charges congress with only occasionally trying to limit presidential powers,
and only doing so to gain an advantage for their party (Bacevich, 69). Bacevich also …show more content…
He accuses both Bush
and Rumsfeld of placing “yes men” around them leading them to the ill-advised conclusion that
Iraq did in-fact have weapons of mass destruction (Bacevich, 99-100). His disdain for Bush and
his administration was unmistakable throughout the book.
Contrary to Bacevich, prominent political scientist Joseph Nye, believes that America is not in
a decline. Nye asserts that America has retained its aforementioned power; but, other
countries are now becoming more powerful. In his book The Future of Power, Nye stays
superficial. He discusses types of power and which of those America needs to focus on without
ever specifically mentioning his own political beliefs. Nye chooses instead, to lay out a plan that
will guide both citizens and politicians alike to a desired power outcome. While, Nye does
layout a thorough plan, the pinnacle is what he calls, smart power. Nye describes smart power
as “finding ways to combine resources into successful strategies in the new context of power
diffusion” (Nye, 207-208). Nye offers a realistic approach to guiding the United States into