580
PARTISAN REVIEW
would regard the protection of the national interest as neither
reactionary nor progressive. There is, however, a tendency among
conservatives to embrace a narrow military concept of the national
interest while liberals tend to deny the objective validity of the national
interest and to reduce it to a reflection of the economic interests of a
particularly influential group within the particular nation.
The question as to America 's failing
to
protect its national interest
and the interests of the West raises the issue of the character and
validity of American foreign policy.
It
is obviously impossible to do
justice to this issue within a few pages. Let me only say that one of the
most drastic changes in international relations since the Second World
War has been the expansion of the national interest to comprise not
only the interests of a particular nation
to
the exclusion of the interests
of all other nations , but certain interests of other nations as well. For
instance, the avoidance of nuclear war and the promotion of nuclear
arms control and disarmament are in the national interest of all
nations. The same is true of the preservation of the natural environ–
ment and the availability and distribution of food. Thus in our age the
content of the national interest in certain respects transcends the limits
of a particular nation and comprises the interests of a number of
nations similarly situated.
Into the Dark
Hannah Arendt and Totalitarianism
Stephen J. Whitfield
Hannah Arendt devised a unique theory of totalitarianism . considered by many
to be the single most convincing effort to understand its madness. Now,
Stephen Whitfield analyzes her work in an attempt to validate. not prove. her
theory in light of its internal consistency, suggestiveness, and historical
evidence.
352 pp. November ISBN 0-87722-188-X $1B.95
The Backyard Revolution
Understanding the New Citizen Movement
Harry C. Boyte
As social problems associated with modern living are being confronted by
organizations of a purely local constituency, The Backyard Revolution offers a
comprehensive guide to the origins, development, and themes of grass-roots
politics.
"Anyone concerned with social change must read this book."
-Michael Harrington
265 pp. September ISBN 0-87722-192-8 $14.95
Temple University Press
Broad
&
Oxford Streets Philadelphia 19122
