A definitive analysis of the impacts of the Iraq antiwar movement
As the Bush administration prepared to wage war against Iraq, millions of people in the United States and around the world took to the streets to warn against the impending disaster. It was the largest wave of antiwar protest in history. This is the story of those dramatic events, told by distinguished peace scholar and activist David Cortright. This revealing account offers an insider view of the emergence of the movement and its political and communications strategies in attempting to prevent the attack. It reviews the arrogance of power as senior officials rejected public and expert opinion and rushed ahead with their ill-fated invasion. The book traces efforts by opponents of the war to end the worsening conflict and win Congressional approval for the withdrawal of troops. Cortright explores the role of the Iraq issue and the impact of antiwar networks in propelling Barack Obama to the White House, and the frustrations many activists felt in navigating the limitations of conventional politics. Readable, insightful and passionately argued, A Peaceful Superpower provides a definitive analysis of the impacts of the Iraq antiwar movement and a hopeful look at the power of civil society to shape the course of history.
Author(s): David Cortright
Publisher: New Village Press
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 271
City: New York
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Contents
Foreword: They Were Right, by David S. Meyer
Preface
Introduction
• A Movement Profile
• Failure or Success?
One. A War Predetermined
• Precursors
• Premonitions
• Congress Caves
• Denying Reality
Two. Building the Movement
• To the Streets
• Uniting for Peace and Justice
• Win Without War
• The World Speaks
• Digital Activism
• Resistance and Disruption
Three. Communicating for Peace
• Selling Their “Product”
• Gaining Coverage
• Frames and Messages
• Patriotism, Militarized and Peaceful
• Advertising
• Artists
Four. Faces of the Movement
• Faith
• Labor
• Business Executives
• Communities of Color
• Women
• Grassroots
Five. Dissent in the Ranks
• Reluctant Warriors
• Resisters
• Families and Veterans Organize
• Supporting the Troops
Six. Protest and Politics
• Outside and Inside
• Movement Dynamics
• To the Ballot Box
• Turning Congress
• The Antiwar Lobby
• Uniting Against Escalation
• Electing a President
Seven. Global Impacts
• Reluctant Allies
• The Costs of Isolation
• The UN Stands Firm
Eight. Evaluating the Antiwar Movement
• Why the Rush?
• Bypassing the UN
• The WMD Gambit
• Explaining Defeat
• Winners and Losers
Acknowledgments
Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
