"This book represents an original, compelling and critical rethinking of
the nature and form of United States foreign policy in the Third World
1980s and 1990s. Robinson has developed his own theoretical framework
and synthesis drawn from comparative political sociology, political
economy and political theory, one that takes its global inspiration from
both world-systems and neo-Gramscian approaches to international
relations. Robinson's theoretical strengths are combined with excellent
empirical research... In his meticulous and detailed exposition of the
nature, limits and contradictions of these cases, Robinson makes a
fundamental contribution to our possibilities of understanding the
contours of crucial aspects of North-South relations in this and the
next century." Stephen Gill, York University, Toronto
"This
book provides a sobering look at what it means to say the US is
promoting democracy throughout the world. It is a good antidote to much
academic pap." Immanuel Wallerstein, State University of New York
"While
economic and cultural globalization have attracted a good deal of
popular and scholarly attention, globalization in the political sphere
is a relatively under-researched area. In Promoting Polyarchy William
Robinson, building on a formidable array of local knowledge and
theoretical reflection, makes the bold argument that democracy promotion
in US foreign policy is best explained in terms of the pluralist idea
of polyarchy and that this restricted conception of democracy serves the
interests of an increasingly transnational elite. Polyarchy, thus, `is a
structural feature of the emergent global society.' The logic of the
analysis and the power of his case studies represent a challenge that
complacent pluaralists and those sceptical of globalization should not
ignore." Leslie Sklair, London School of Economics
"...Robinson
offers much more than a political manifesto-the core of the book is a
well-considered analysis of the role of U.S. foreign policy in
constructing and mainting the contemporary global ideological hegemony,
exemplified by four fascinating case studies. Promoting Polyarchy is a
worthy contribution to political sociology." Christopher Chase-Dunn,
Contemporary Sociology
"This is a pathbreaking study of the
changes in U.S. policy wrought by the `epochal shift' of globalization.
The ground-breaking ideas put forth in this book are a counterpoint to
the world systems school of Immanuel Wallerstein and more classical
Marxsits and neo-Marxists who argue for the continued primacy of the
nation-state." Roger Burbach, NACLA Report on the Americas
"..he believe has succeeded admirably...." Myron J. Frankman, Labour, Capital & Society
"William
Robinson has written an extraordinarily important book. His work should
be required reading for scholars and activists attempting to understand
the contemporary direction of U.S. foreign policy....a rigorous,
passionate, and historically informed critique of the barren and
disempowering political structures that pass for democracy today."
Science & Society