Elliott School Professor Releases New Book

BY ALEX NOWAKOWSKI

On Monday, Professor Henry R. Nau held a discussion at the Elliott School regarding his recently published book Conservative Internationalism: Armed Diplomacy under Jefferson, Polk, Truman, and Reagan.

Nau, a respected professor of political science and international affairs at the Elliot School, said that the purpose of his book was to end “the cycle of overreach and withdrawal” in American foreign policy. Nau argued that the solution is for the United States to enact a policy of “conservative internationalism” to end this cycle.

“I have a dire prediction that we are making a mistake that will cost us in treasure in blood”, Nau said regarding the recent American withdrawal from international intervention.

Nau continued the discussion of his book by discussing the presidents referenced in his title and outlining what Conservative Internationalism’s strategy might be. He argued that the United States should focus its policy on nations that are near established democracies. The nations on the border of democracy, Nau said, will be more willing to have a change in government and can be more easily reinforced if democracy takes place.

He finished the discussion of his book with the warning that “despots step up when we leave the world.”