America's Midlife Crisis: The Future of a Troubled Superpower

by Gary R. Weaver, Adam Mendelson

Overview

"In this era of spin and hyperbole, it is refreshing to read such a calm, insightful and cogent analysis of this critical period of our history." - Harriet Fulbright, president of The J. William & Harriet Fulbright Center

America's Midlife Crisis examines the culture of America at a crucial point in its history and development. Along the way something happened to the fundimental nature of American culture: a midlife crisis. From the founding of the republic through the many conflicts over the years, from the Puritan roots to recent waves of immigration, from race to religion. America's Midlife Crisis examines the values, beliefs and behavior of an increasingly complex society that is struggling with its place in the new world order.

There has been a seismic shift, far beyond normal cyclic changes, in cultural and political trends in the United States. Following 9/11 - no longer as confident in the protection of two vast oceans, a powerful military structure and a dominant economy - the U.S. government instituted policies and practices that have produced results exactly opposite of what was intended. Rather than making America safer, they have generated great consternantion about its intentions, further enraging America's critics and confusing and alienating its longtime allies. America's Midlife Crisis shows how a superpower got to this point and what this midlife crisis means for the nation's future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781931930079
Publisher:	Mobius
Publication date:	11/06/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Dr. Gary Weaver is founder and executive director of Intercultural Management Institure (IMI) and for four decades a member of the faculty of the School of International Service at American University, the largest school of International Affairs in the country.

Adam Mendelson is managing editor of The Middle East Journal and serves on the Editorial Review Board of Intercultural Management Quarterly (IMQ). He has an M.A. in International Affairs from American University's School of International Service.

Editorial Reviews

America's Midlife Crisis is a provocative, thoughtful book ... essential reading for anyone - within or beyond America's borders - who is trying to understand the country's foreign policy and the culture behind it.—Wendy Chamerlin, former US Ambassador to Pakistan and Laos and president, Middle East Institute

In this era of spin and hyperbole, it is refreshing to read such a calm, insightful and cogent analysis of this critical period of our history.—Harriet Fulbright, president of The J. William & Harriet Fulbright Center

The prism of culture, particularly when focused on changing values, beliefs and attitudes, presents a revealing vehicle for gaining new insights into the American experience. Gary Weaver and Adam Mendelson make the most of this intriguing approach to understanding America's successes and failures - and its prospects.—Lawrence E. Harrison, Director, Cultural Change Institute, The Fletcher School

America's Midlife Crisis is an important book. It is a book that both Americans and non-Americans alike need to read as they grapple with the massive changes taking place in global geo-politics. Gary Weaver and Adam Mendelson, two leaders in the field, bring profound cultural insights to their analysis of the challenges the United States faces and the choices the country has made. The insights from America's Midlife Crisis will support each of us in making the myriad decisions that will ultimately lead to the success of our global society.—Nancy J. Adler, S. Bronfman Chair in Management, McGill University, and author of From Boston to Beijing: Managing with a Worldview

This book is a must-read and provides pragmatic insight into America's complex role here at home and abroad. Rigorously researched, this is a truly remarkable contribution, a rare and enormously useful study offering fresh and compelling views of our diverse and racial identities. Splendid scholarship prevails; Weaver and Mendelson discuss how history has helped shape our domestic and international policies, ideals, culture and values. It is a pleasure to read, and I highly recommend it for scholars, students, policy makers and general audiences alike.—Dr. Jack G. Shaheen, author of GUILTY: Hollywood's Verdict on Arabs after 9/11

From the Publisher