Henry Kissinger's "Diplomacy"

Paper Summary:

This short paper reviews and analyzes Henry Kissinger's massive work "Diplomacy." The paper examines some perceived flaws in Kissinger's outlook, including his lack of analysis of historical trends which have traditionally influenced foreign policy. The author also criticizes Kissinger for not acknowledging the role of American idealism in US foreign relations.

From the Paper:

"Henry Kissinger was nothing if not polarizing during his tenure in the Nixon presidential administration; he has continued to divide observers violently after his tenure in politics is over through his public commentary and political analysis of foreign policy. In Diplomacy, Kissinger takes on the task of analyzing the perceived success or failure of foreign policies spanning all of modern history, and much of the eras which preceded it. In this massive tome, Kissinger's opinions regarding leadership and successful politics are evident, and while he makes a cogent and compelling argument for his own opinions, the book also presents something of a reader as to why Kissinger's policies and tactics have remained so controversial. This essay will address two of the major flaws with Kissinger's analysis of foreign policy throughout history: first, his emphasis on the personality of leaders as the primary factor behind their policy, and second, his unrepentant realism with regard to foreign policy and his continued refusal to acknowledge the role which American idealism has played in foreign policy throughout the modern era."

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