Crusading realism

by Lamont Colucci

Crusading Realism and discusses the presidential dominance of American foreign policy and the religiosity and leadership style of President George W. Bush. Contrasting the post 9/11 Bush administration with its earlier incarnation and with that of its immediate predecessor, the development of a distinctive policy position founded on preemption, prevention, primacy, and the promotion of democracy is examined. The emergence of the Bush doctrine from 2001 -- 2003 is analyzed in relation to four distinct phases: its genesis, initial development, further evolution, and maturation. The Bush doctrine in this. Culminates in the decision to invade Iraq in the light of the heightened sense of threat occasioned by a "toxic nexus" of transnational terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and rogue states. The standard accounts of neo-conservative coup are reassessed and dismissed. Attempts to characterize the Bush doctrine in terms of realism, idealism, or other theories of international relations