I remember hearing Barnett tout that book on Booknotes and not being that impressed. I don't think it's a real stretch to view 9/11 as a consequence of our "reasonable, deal-making approach." A number of the boys that might otherwise pursue my daughters harbor a healthy fear of me--something beyond that fear that all boys have of girls' fathers. Something about those black HALO (the military badge; not the video game) t-shirts of mine that I leave it to the 15-yr-old to wear instead of me send a message that I might not be the "reasonable, deal-making" type. As a result, those who are comfortable approaching them, and inevitably me, tend to be of a much less reproachable variety than might otherwise be the case. I tend to believe a McCain in office might have the same effect on a few of those Non-nation-state actors out there. Too bad it won't happen.
I've read both of Barnett's books, and while I have reservations about some of his ideas, I think he's right more often than wrong.
"Reasonable, deal-making" doesn't mean that you're a pushover who only uses nonviolent diplomacy; it means that you pick your battles and manage them a hell of a lot better than we've been doing lately.
P.S. "His view of potential allies is stuck hopelessly in the past" is code for "McCain doesn't want to increase ties to China."
Commenting by HaloScan
