[lbo-talk] Cold War Liberalism and Vietnam

[Nick Manley]

I've been reading a collection of speeches and whatnot on the Vietnam War
as it relates to American foreign policy. I was especially struck by the
speeches of Kennedy esque Cold War liberals. They give the impression of
really believing American power was successfully remaking South Vietnam
into some liberal democratic paradise. They even cite figures which if true
show greater economic progress and whatnot in the South than the North. I
am not saying I think they are true. I've no idea due to no sources
provided.

So my question is: do people think these "best and brightest" types really
thought American power was salvaging liberty in Vietnam and elsewhere? This
book has me wonder about that.