Bait and Switch: Human Rights and U.S. Foreign Policy

Bait and Switch is an exceptional examination of American foreign policy that is not only timely and accessible, but extraordinarily well documented. The interview methodology, extensive citations and resources included are a testament to the fact that Bait and Switch is grounded in solid research. Mertus has provided an essential guide for all with an interest in understanding the treatment of human rights in American foreign policy - a must read indeed!!

Julie Mertus has written a compelling and timely book. Neo-cons might dismiss it as not in line with the American national interest (as they intepret it), and people on the left might wish for a more frontal attack on the Bush administration. Either way, no one interested in US foreign policy in the US and abroad can afford to ignore it. The book is well written, highly accessible, and extremely insightful.

This book has enough detail for a serious student of human rights but is written for everyone. Indeed it should be read by anyone with an interest in human rights OR foreign policy. Upon reading this book both communities will quickly see how their interests are inter-related. In her book Julie Mertus does an excellent of job addressing questions such as how does the War on Terror fit into the American historical experience of human rights advocacy? These questions are clearly timely and of great interest to those following current events. Perhaps the best thing about this book is that the author addresses these questions without accepting ANY group's political agenda. She examines each aspect of a policy or organization based on the merits of that approach or entity, not based on an accepted ideological position.Mertus uses the recurring theme that America approaches human rights advocacy with a policy of "American exceptionalism." That is American rhetoric demands certain behaviors from the rest of the world but neither accepts these limits on its own behaviors nor applies these principles uniformly in its dealings with others. She first explains why American exceptionalism on human rights issues is a very understandable result of the American political system and historical experience. Then she goes on to demonstrate how it is producing a series of policy decisions ill-suited for an interdependent globalized world. America is not only risking direct actions against its interests by ignoring internationally accepted norms but is seriously hampering its ability to achieve both human rights and other foreign policy goals. Expressing the catch phrases of human rights is not enough. If the US wants to have a real effect on human rights throughout the world it would be best served by changing the international perception that it is exempted from the standards it applies to others. US national and human rights interests can be best achieved by an American approach that considers itself as first among equals not as unique among subjects.I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in how the US can simultaneously achieve its foreign policy goals and be a force for progress and improvements in human rights

To the general interest person like myself, this book was extremely helpful in understanding the issues in Iraq. The timing couldn't have been more compelling!