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Andrew J. Bacevich

アンドリュー・J・ベイスヴィッチ

Andrew J. Bacevich

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1947-07-05 （Normal, Illinois, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Religion
Catholic

Career

Occupations
Historian, Writer, Professor, U.S. Army Colonel (ret.)
Active Years
1969-
Affiliations
Boston University, Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies (Professor Emeritus), Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft (co-founder, president)
Influenced By
Charles A. Beard, William Appleman Williams

Education

United States Military Academy (West Point)
Degree: BS
Period: 1965–1969
Year of Graduation: 1969
Country: United States
Underwent military education; graduation led into subsequent Army service including Vietnam.
Princeton University
American Diplomatic History
Degree: MA, PhD
Year of Graduation: 1982
Country: United States
Ph.D. in American Diplomatic History (1982). Doctoral thesis: "American military diplomacy, 1898–1949: the role of Frank Ross McCoy."

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Pentomic Era: The US Army between Korea and Vietnam

1986 Military history

Analysis of U.S. Army organization and tactical changes between the Korean and Vietnam wars.

military reformCold War military strategy

Diplomat in Khaki: Frank Ross McCoy and American Foreign Policy, 1898–1949

1989 Diplomatic history

Biographical study using Frank Ross McCoy's career to examine the development of American foreign policy.

foreign policyrole of military figures in diplomacy

American Empire: The Realities and Consequences of U.S. Diplomacy

2004 Foreign policy criticism / History

Historically examines the imperial character of U.S. diplomacy and military power and discusses its consequences.

critique of imperialismU.S. diplomatic history

The New American Militarism: How Americans Are Seduced by War

2005 Political critique / History

Analyzes cultural and historical factors behind American glorification of war and reliance on military power.

culture and the militaryarguments for non-interventionism

The Long War: A New History of U.S. National Security Policy Since World War II

2007 Diplomatic history / Security studies

Overview of continuities and changes in U.S. national security policy since World War II.

national securityhistorical continuity

The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism

2008 Political critique / History

Argues the limits of U.S. foreign and military policy and claims an end to American exceptionalism.

critique of exceptionalismlimits of military power

Washington Rules: America's Path to Permanent War

2010 Political critique

Critically examines how U.S. foreign policy habits and doctrines lead to permanent military engagement.

policy persistencelinkage of diplomacy and military

Breach of Trust: How Americans Failed Their Soldiers and Their Country

2013 Political critique / Military criticism

Reexamines civil-military relations and discusses responsibility of nation and war.

civil-military relationsresponsibility and consequences

America's War for the Greater Middle East: A Military History

2016 Military history / Diplomatic history

Historically examines U.S. military interventions and policies in the Middle East.

Middle East policymilitary intervention

Twilight of the American Century

2018 Political critique

Discusses the international standing of America since the late 20th century and its transformations.

changes in hegemonyinternational politics

The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered Its Cold War Victory

2020 Political critique

Examines policy missteps after the Cold War and their consequences.

post-Cold War politicspolicy failures

After the Apocalypse: America's Role in a World Transformed

2021 Political critique

Essayistic work on America's choices and responsibilities in a transformed international environment.

changes in international orderredefinition of policy

On Shedding an Obsolete Past

2022 Essays / Critique

A short collection of essays arguing for the need to abandon obsolete past ideas.

updating historical perspectivesreconsideration of policy

Ravens on a Wire

2024 Essays / Literary (short pieces)

A collection of recent essays and short pieces (published by Falling Marbles Press).

essayspolitics and culture

Bibliography

  • The Pentomic Era: The US Army between Korea and Vietnam
  • Diplomat in Khaki: Frank Ross McCoy and American Foreign Policy, 1898–1949
  • American Empire: The Realities and Consequences of U.S. Diplomacy
  • The New American Militarism: How Americans Are Seduced by War
  • The Long War: A New History of U.S. National Security Policy Since World War II
  • The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism
  • Washington Rules: America's Path to Permanent War
  • Breach of Trust: How Americans Failed Their Soldiers and Their Country
  • America's War for the Greater Middle East: A Military History
  • Twilight of the American Century
  • The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered Its Cold War Victory
  • After the Apocalypse: America's Role in a World Transformed
  • On Shedding an Obsolete Past
  • Ravens on a Wire

Style & Themes

Literary Style
clear, argumentative prosecalm critique grounded in historical context
Recurring Motifs
dangerous linkage of military power and diplomacywarnings about American imperial tendenciescivic responsibility and the ethics of war

Legacy

Known for historically grounded and critical analyses of U.S. foreign and military policy. Though coming from a conservative background, he gained attention for his strong critiques of interventionism and war policy, influencing public debate.

Archives

  • Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, Boston University

Quotes

  • If, as seems probable, the effort encounters greater resistance than its architects imagine, our way of life may find itself tested in ways that will make the Vietnam War look like a mere blip in American history.
    Source: Los Angeles Times (2003) (2003)

Trivia

  • His son, Andrew J. Bacevich (Jr.), was killed in the Iraq War in 2007.
  • Served in the U.S. Army (1969–1992) before becoming an academic and public intellectual.
  • Papers and archives are held at Boston University's archival center.