Intervention in Lebanon

Term Paper # 99965

History
International Relations
Political Science > U.S. Federal Politics

An analysis of the correlation between the principles of liberalism, realism and international society theory and the American decision to intervene in Lebanon in 1958.

1,716 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper looks for the best explanation for the American decision to intervene in Lebanon in 1958 by analyzing three theoretical schools - realism, liberalism and the international society theory. It examines the decision-makers involved, identifies their motivations and analyzes the justifications they offered for deploying American troops. The paper then compares these factors to the principles of liberalism, realism and international society theory in order to determine whether there is a correlation.

From the Paper:

"In this bipolar world, instability in a particular region or country was often seized upon as a pretext for power projection by Moscow or Washington, and Lebanon provided Washington in 1958 with a justification to demonstrate American power and resolve in the aftermath of the Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956, which produced perceptions of Western weakness. (Korbani 21-52) In addition, it has been suggested that the intervention was also an attempt by Eisenhower to assuage French bitterness over his harsh criticism of French actions during the Suez Crisis in 1956, and was a conciliatory gesture in the form of intervening in France's former colony of Lebanon in order to protect French economic and political interests."

Sample of Sources Used:

Boucher , David. Political Theories of International Relations: From Thucydides to the Present. Cambridge: Oxford University Press, 1998.
Korbani, Agnes. U.S. Intervention in Lebanon, 1958 and 1982. New York: Praeger Publishers, 1991.
"Marines in Lebanon, 1958." MCHRP. Marine Corps Historical Reference Pamphlet. Historical Branch, G-3 Division, US Marine Corps. Washington, DC. 1966.
Saunders, Richard. 1985. "Military Force in the Foreign Policy of the Eisenhower Presidency." Political Science Quarterly, 1985. 100/1.