Professor Jeremi Suri, a historian and author of The Impossible Presidency, dives deep into George H. W. Bush's impactful presidency. He discusses Bush's composed response to the fall of the Berlin Wall, highlighting his diplomatic approach over emotional reactions. The conversation also explores Bush’s significant role in U.S.-China relations and the media's influence on public perception during pivotal events like the Gulf War. Suri examines the complexities of transitioning Russia towards democracy and the evolving Republican political landscape during Bush's term.
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Rock Star Gorbachev in NYC
Jeremi Suri recounts the 1988 meeting on Governor's Island where Reagan, Bush, and Gorbachev appeared as friendly partners ending the Cold War.
Suri shares his personal memory of seeing Gorbachev warmly welcomed by New Yorkers like a rock star in Manhattan.
insights INSIGHT
Bush’s Cautious Cold War Leadership
George H.W. Bush managed the end of the Cold War with caution and collaboration rather than flamboyant celebration.
He balanced relationships with key leaders to shape change without dominating it.
insights INSIGHT
Challenges in Post-Soviet Transition
Bush aimed to help post-Soviet Russia transition but overly emphasized economic change over building democratic institutions.
This underinvestment allowed oligarchs to dominate, undermining balanced societal development.
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In *The Impossible Presidency*, Jeremi Suri examines the rise and fall of the American presidency, from its origins to its current status as the most powerful job in the world. He argues that the presidency's success has created unrealistic expectations, leading to a mismatch between presidential promises and the structural limitations of the office. This book provides a masterful reassessment of presidential history, offering insights into America's political climate.
The end of history
Francis Fukuyama
In 'The End of History and the Last Man', Francis Fukuyama posits that with the ascendancy of Western liberal democracy following the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, humanity has reached the end point of its ideological evolution. Fukuyama draws on the philosophies of Hegel and Marx, arguing that history is a linear progression towards liberal democracy, driven by the mechanisms of natural science and the human desire for recognition (thymos). He contends that liberal democracy satisfies every man’s thymotic longing for dignity and recognition, making it the final form of human government. However, Fukuyama clarifies that this does not mean the end of historical events or conflicts, but rather that all future developments will be within the framework of liberal democracy[2][3][4].
Civil War by Other Means
Jeremi Suri
In *Civil War By Other Means*, Jeremi Suri presents a compelling argument that the American Civil War has not truly ended, but rather continues through political and social means. He explores how the conflict has evolved from the battlefield to ongoing struggles for racial justice and democracy in the United States. Suri's work offers a nuanced perspective on the enduring legacy of the Civil War and its impact on modern American society.
President George H. W. Bush presided over the Gulf War, the conclusion of the Cold War, the collapse of the USSR and the fall of the Berlin Wall during what proved an eventful single term of office from 1989 to 1993. But what was his answer to the burning question of the age, the legacy of which rumbles on down to this very day: 'What next?'
Don's guide to this pivotal presidency is Professor Jeremi Suri author of The Impossible Presidency and host of the podcast This Is Democracy.
Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.
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