May 24, 2004
Paul Berman Taken Down
Anyone who is interested in the debate between liberal doves and hawks on preemptive war and liberal responses to terrorism should take a look at Ian Buruma's excellent review of Paul Berman's well-meaning but profoundly misguided "Terror and Liberalism".
I admire Berman's devotion to liberal internationalism and humanist ideals, as well as his genuine passion for social justice. But Buruma explains, far better than I ever could, why "militant Wilsonianism" is bound to become more militant than Wilsonian, and how a martial zest for worldwide liberal humanist revolution could lead to a zealotry that would undermine liberal principles, in addition to turning potential allies against us.
Interesting and informative, though you really did get my hopes up in describing this as a "takedown." Dale Peck's review of Rick Moody starts with the line "Rick Moody is the worst writer of his generation." Now THAT, my friend, is a takedown.
http://www.powells.com/review/2002_07_04.html