Navigating the Post-Cold War World: President Clinton's Foreign Policy Rhetoric

by Jason A. Edwards Bridgewater State University

Overview

Jason A. Edwards explores the various rhetorical choices and strategies employed by former President Bill Clinton to discuss foreign policy issues in a new, post-Cold War era. Edwards argues that each American president has situated himself within the same foreign policy paradigm, drawing upon the same set of ideas and utilizing the same basic vernacular to discuss foreign policy. He describes how former presidents-and President Clinton, in particular-made modifications to this paradigm, leaving a rhetorical signature that tells us as much about the nature of their presidency as it does about the international environment they faced.

With the end of the Cold War came the end of a relatively stable international order. This end sparked intense debates about the new direction of American foreign policy. As Bill Clinton took office, he developed a new lexicon of words in order to discuss America's changing role in the world and other major international issues of the time without being able to fall into Cold War-era rhetoric. By examining the nuances and unique contributions President Clinton made to American foreign policy rhetoric, Edwards shows how his distinct rhetorical signature will influence future administrations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739122266
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	12/16/2008
Series:	Lexington Studies in Political Communication
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	220
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Jason A. Edwards is assistant professor in the department of communication studies at Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts.

Table of Contents

1 Acknowledgments
Chapter 2 Introduction
Chapter 3 1. Presidential Rhetoric and America's Foreign Policy Vocabulary
Chapter 4 2. Staying the Course as World Leader by Intertwining America's Exceptionalist Missions
Chapter 5 3. Managing Chaos: Rhetorical Flexibility in Arguments for the Use of Force
Chapter 6 4. Renewing the Liberal International Order as Clintonian Grand Strategy
Chapter 7 5. Conclusions
Chapter 8 Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

Jason Edwards argues that as the 'first true post-Cold War president,' Bill Clinton faced unique challenges within the realm of foreign policy. In Navigating the Post–Cold War World, Edwards reveals how Clinton repeatedly met these rhetorical challenges. This well-written book offers readers new insights into the Clinton presidency. Edwards' analysis of Clinton's rhetoric is both persuasive and provocative.

Vanessa B. Beasley

Jason A. Edwards offers a solid reading of the shifting rhetorical landscape faced by President Clinton as he sought to wrestle with America's role in the post-Cold War world. This is a comprehensive and well-thought out work that should hold interest to those seeking to better understand presidential rhetoric in a post-Cold War world. Edwards should be congratulated for tackling such a project.

Jim A. Kuypers

This is a timely book, and a necessary read for anyone interested in understanding contemporary American presidential foreign policy rhetoric. Edwards's exploration of the Clinton presidency provides insight into how presidents understand the world around them. He gives an excellent analysis of how Clinton interpreted America and its role in the world during a period where, for the first time in fifty years, America needed direction and focus in the international arena. Edwards demonstrates how Clinton's presidency bridges the rhetorical gap between the two defining global paradigms of the past sixty years—the Cold War and the War on Terror.

Joseph M. Valenzano III

Jason A. Edwards offers a solid reading of the shifting rhetorical landscape faced by President Clinton as he sought to wrestle with America's role in the post-Cold War world. This is a comprehensive and well-thought out work that should hold interest to those seeking to better understand presidential rhetoric in a post-Cold War world. Edwards should be congratulated for tackling such a project.--Jim A. Kuypers, Virginia Tech

Jason Edwards argues that as the 'first true post-Cold War president, ' Bill Clinton faced unique challenges within the realm of foreign policy. In Navigating the Post-Cold War World, Edwards reveals how Clinton repeatedly met these rhetorical challenges. This well-written book offers readers new insights into the Clinton presidency. Edwards' analysis of Clinton's rhetoric is both persuasive and provocative.--Vanessa B. Beasley, Vanderbilt University

This is a timely book, and a necessary read for anyone interested in understanding contemporary American presidential foreign policy rhetoric. Edwards's exploration of the Clinton presidency provides insight into how presidents understand the world around them. He gives an excellent analysis of how Clinton interpreted America and its role in the world during a period where, for the first time in fifty years, America needed direction and focus in the international arena. Edwards demonstrates how Clinton's presidency bridges the rhetorical gap between the two defining global paradigms of the past sixty years--the Cold War and the War on Terror.--Joseph M. Valenzano III, University of Dayton

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