Advisor(s)
Robert E. Gilbert
Contributor(s)
Michael S. (Michael Stanley) Dukakis (1933-), Leonard Ray Teel
Date of Award
10-2011
Date Accepted
10-2011
Degree Grantor
Northeastern University
Degree Level
Ph.D.
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department or Academic Unit
College of Social Sciences and Humanities. Department of Political Science.
Keywords
George W. Bush, institutional failures, Iraq war, news media
Subject Categories
Iraq War 2003-, Politics and war
Disciplines
American Politics | International Relations | Mass Communication | Public Policy
Abstract
The Iraq War of March 19, 2003 was an implausible war at the outset. We now understand that it could have been averted and never should have been waged. How and why did it begin? Who was responsible?
This dissertation offers a new perspective on the Iraq War and explains the dynamic relationships between the George W. Bush administration, the United States Congress and the national news media. It is based on the "multiple streams model of political change" by John Kingdon, which says that if a unique combination of political, policy and problem streams collide, under the right circumstances; they can create a window of opportunity for a shift in policy.
It was the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which set the stage for the emergence of three dynamic streams in the country. Fear, power and a contentious political climate converged to produce not only a dramatic new foreign policy, but also a war with Iraq, a country, which had not provoked or threatened the United States.
Fear, power and a tense political climate also influenced institutional behavior and exposed the failures of: 1) The executive branch in the administration of George W. Bush, 2) The United States Congress and 3) the national news media. All are designed and are differently responsible to protect the interests of the American people.
Errors in judgment have happened throughout history with other administrations, with other Congresses and with the news media. However, with regard to the Iraq War, it was a matter of degree and extent, especially for the President of the United States. Both the Congress and the news media were also experiencing colossal institutional changes, which influenced and hindered their performances. However, all were culpable in helping to create the Iraq war, which today stands as one of the longest military conflicts in United States history.
Document Type
Dissertation
Rights Holder
Mary Cardaras
Permanent URL
Recommended Citation
Cardaras, Mary, "America's missteps: how fear, power and politics led the United States into Iraq (September 1, 2001-March 19, 2003)" (2011). Political Science Dissertations. Paper 8. http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d20002048
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