Bush sold the Iraq War through neoconservative democracy-promotion rhetoric

Evidence

In a speech to the American Enterprise Institute in February 2003, Bush argued that “the world has a clear interest in the spread of democratic values” and that Iraq in particular “is fully capable of moving toward democracy and living in freedom.” He suggested that “success in Iraq could also begin a new stage for Middle Eastern peace, and set in motion progress toward a truly democratic Palestinian state.” This speech revealed Bush’s increasing dependence on neoconservative doctrines, including the use of US military force to impose democracy abroad, in order to make the broader case for war with Iraq. Democracy in Iraq would have a domino effect and inspire the people of other countries in the region to follow suit. — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 289

Categorization

• XREF: The democracy-domino justification is a rhetorical mirror of the red scare’s domino-theory logic that frames this chapter. — connects to: Bernard Lewis mentored the neoconservatives who planned the Iraq War — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 264; The Bush Doctrine legitimized unilateral preventive war and rival suppression — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 417; Clash-of-civilizations rhetoric ideologically legitimized both foreign wars and domestic attacks — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 421 (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• The Bush Doctrine legitimized unilateral preventive war and rival suppression #expands (0.70) — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 417
• Bush’s ‘Islamo-fascism’ rhetoric framed Islam itself as democracy’s enemy #expands (0.65) — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 290
• Clash-of-civilizations rhetoric ideologically legitimized both foreign wars and domestic attacks #expands (0.60) — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 421
• Neoconservatism is defined by unipolarism and military preponderance #expands (0.50) — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 379
• Islamophobic campaign rhetoric is traded for votes and converted into policy #expands (0.50) — Khaled A. Beydoun, American Islamophobia_ Understanding…, 57