Who Speaks for America?: The Author in the Autograph

Eric Alterman is a rare journalist who actually believes in a democratic foreign policy. Yes, it is depressing that this thesis is even controversial, but it unfortunately is. Alterman makes an eloquent case for more public participation in the nation's foreign policy. To prove his contention that leading intellectuals are anti-democratic, Alterman quotes one think tank policy "expert" who flat-out says, "I don't think the people should have any voice in foreign policy," (he does not unfortunately name the elitist). Alterman demonstrates that the elite consensus is wrong; popular opinion on foreign policy is neither irrational nor constantly shifting. Best of all, Alterman is intellectually honest. A supporter of high levels of immigration, he nonetheless honest enough to admit that the American people want immigration greatly reduced. (This fact has been supported by numerous opinion polls conducted by the Chicago Council of Foreign Relations).He challenges pro-immigration advocates to make a better case for their position to the American people. I highly recommend Who Speaks for America.

As a non-US citizen, this eye-opening book is a challenge. Intricate, with massive information and intense analysis, the book is a must to understand how US foreign policy evolved and revolved around similar interventionist attitudes. History tells, according to Alterman, how it can repeat itself with the help of US officials. Rewritten history as in the Orwellian 1984 is the means by which the most antidemocratic facets of US state policies are set into place. I learned about this book in a C-Span 2 panel and Alterman's words did not disappointed me a bit.