About the book
Providing new insight on the intellectual and cultural dimensions of the Cold War, Michael Latham reveals how social science theory helped shape American foreign policy during the Kennedy administration. He shows how, in the midst of America’s protracted struggle to contain communism in the developing world, the concept of global modernization moved beyond its beginnings in academia to become a motivating ideology behind policy decisions.
After tracing the rise of modernization theory in American social science, Latham analyzes the way its core assumptions influenced the Kennedy administration’s Alliance for Progress with Latin America, the creation of the Peace Corps, and the strategic hamlet program in Vietnam. But as he demonstrates, modernizers went beyond insisting on the relevance of America’s experience to the dilemmas faced by impoverished countries. Seeking to accelerate the movement of foreign societies toward a liberal, democratic, and capitalist modernity, Kennedy and his advisers also reiterated a much deeper sense of their own nation’s vital strengths and essential benevolence. At the height of the Cold War, Latham argues, modernization recast older ideologies of Manifest Destiny and imperialism.
Editions of Modernization as Ideology
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807825334
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807848449
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807860793
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890867933
Read an Excerpt
Providing new insight on the intellectual and cultural dimensions of the Cold War, Michael Latham reveals how social science theory helped shape American foreign policy during the Kennedy administration. He shows how, in the midst of America’s protracted struggle to contain communism in the developing world, the concept of global modernization moved beyond its beginnings in academia to become a motivating ideology behind policy decisions.
After tracing the rise of modernization theory in American social science, Latham analyzes the way its core assumptions influenced the Kennedy administration’s Alliance for Progress with Latin America, the creation of the Peace Corps, and the strategic hamlet program in Vietnam. But as he demonstrates, modernizers went beyond insisting on the relevance of America’s experience to the dilemmas faced by impoverished countries. Seeking to accelerate the movement of foreign societies toward a liberal, democratic, and capitalist modernity, Kennedy and his advisers also reiterated a much deeper sense of their own nation’s vital strengths and essential benevolence. At the height of the Cold War, Latham argues, modernization recast older ideologies of Manifest Destiny and imperialism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Modernization as Ideology about?
Providing new insight on the intellectual and cultural dimensions of the Cold War, Michael Latham reveals how social science theory helped shape American foreign policy during the Kennedy administration. He shows how, in the midst of America’s protracted struggle to contain communism in the developing world, the concept of global modernization moved beyond its beginnings in academia to become a motivating ideology behind policy decisions.
After tracing the rise of modernization theory in American social science, Latham analyzes the way its core assumptions influenced the Kennedy administration’s Alliance for Progress with Latin America, the creation of the Peace Corps, and the strategic hamlet program in Vietnam. But as he demonstrates, modernizers went beyond insisting on the relevance of America’s experience to the dilemmas faced by impoverished countries. Seeking to accelerate the movement of foreign societies toward a liberal, democratic, and capitalist modernity, Kennedy and his advisers also reiterated a much deeper sense of their own nation’s vital strengths and essential benevolence. At the height of the Cold War, Latham argues, modernization recast older ideologies of Manifest Destiny and imperialism.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Modernization as Ideology?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Modernization as Ideology?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807825334
How long is Modernization as Ideology and how many pages does it have?
Modernization as Ideology has 304 page(s)
Is Modernization as Ideology part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series New Cold War History
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Modernization as Ideology?
John Lewis Gaddis, Michael E. Latham
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Modernization as Ideology is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807825334) and paperback(ISBN 9780807848449) and ebook(ISBN 9780807860793) and pdf(ISBN 9798890867933)
Where can I buy Modernization as Ideology online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Modernization as Ideology from below
Where can I buy Modernization as Ideology?