Instruments of Statecraft, Michael McClintock
Posted by P. Schultz
November 20, 2011
This is a review of a
book I just “discovered” reading another book that should be a must for anyone
interested in how our political system actually works, that is, not as it works in the dreams of
those who like movies like “Mr. Smith Goes To Washington” or TV shows like “The
West Wing.” This other book is Ideal
Illusions: How the US Government Co-Opted Human Rights, by James Peck. You
can find this review on Amazon if you type in Michael McClintock and look for
his book, Instruments of Statecraft.
"Instruments of
Statecraft" is a powerful and significant book that unveils how US
counterinsurgency doctrine was consciously modelled on the practices and
achievements of World War II fascism. In his review of US Army manuals of the
1950s, author Michael McClintock notes that there is a frightening similarity
between the Nazi's perception of world politics and America's behavior in the
Cold War.
“McClintock
reveals how the US has undertaken the worldwide task of removing anti-fascist
resistance and other criminals (labelled "Communists" or
"terrorists") from the theatre of national and international
politics.
“McClintock
points out that in the struggle against "Partisan Communism" the
killing of anyone furnishing aid or comfort, directly or indirectly, to such
partisans, or any person withholding information on partisans, was well within
the provisions of acceptable superpower behavior.
“McClintock
shows how the policies advocated by Kennedy's dovish advisors, and standard US
practice in Central America were founded on the fundamental state terrorist
policy of the utility of "evacuation of all natives from partisan-infested
areas and the destruction of all farms, villages, and buildings in the areas
following the evacuations" - standard US procedure in South Vietnam, for
example. Engaging, illuminating and riveting,"Instruments of
Statecraft" is a must-read for blind-faith patriots everywhere. “
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