World War II mythologies and the prewar reconstruction of Iraq

摘要: This dissertation interrogates the positionality of postconflict reconstruction efforts in Iraq within broader discourse liberal peace and reconstruction. It examines how U.S. policymakers planned articulated relationship to historical examples, specifically cases West Germany Japan. questions understood utilized examples post-World War II effect those had on policymaking process. traces role memory plays formation articulation foreign policy by examining use analogies planning political, economic, civil Iraq. finds that largest factor contributing miscalculation invasion occupation was not conservative hawkishness, or ineffectiveness, but rather a common mythology shared many members community, including Bush administration, Department State, Defense, Central Intelligence Agency, most prominent Washington think tanks. asserts Allied postwar Japan were unequivocal successes led directly democracies neoliberal economies found today conventional wisdom shapes which policies appeared viable policymakers, resulted undeserved optimism during for concludes lessons remain contested. Lacklustre results have caused re-evaluate their understanding Rather, case is being absorbed into existing wisdom, with believers claiming simply poorly, met kind resources commitment could success.