The Reagan Imprint: Ideas in American Foreign Policy from the Collapse of Communism to the War on Terror

Contrary to widely held views of Ronald Reagan as a reflexive man of action, John Arquilla's sharply revisionist study argues that he was drawn to and driven by ideas. In Mr. Arquilla's view, Reagan during his presidency articulated important new concepts that fundamentally reshaped American foreign policy-toward Soviet totalitarian rule, arms reduction, and missile defense. But in some areas his policies played out less successfully-inattention to nuclear proliferation and the rise of terrorism-with consequences that continue to haunt us. Mr. Arquilla has set new standards of measurement for Reagan's foreign policy accomplishments and shortcomings.