|
" Portrait of a pragmatic conservative: Senator James A. McClure of Idaho and the politics of United States energy and Middle Eastern affairs, 1967--1990 "
Wilma Woods-Davis
K. G. Aiken
| Document Type
|
:
|
Latin Dissertation
|
| Language of Document
|
:
|
English
|
| Record Number
|
:
|
55693
|
| Doc. No
|
:
|
TL25647
|
| Call number
|
:
|
3202051
|
| Main Entry
|
:
|
Wilma Woods-Davis
|
| Title & Author
|
:
|
Portrait of a pragmatic conservative: Senator James A. McClure of Idaho and the politics of United States energy and Middle Eastern affairs, 1967--1990\ Wilma Woods-Davis
|
| College
|
:
|
University of Idaho
|
| Date
|
:
|
2005
|
| Degree
|
:
|
Ph.D.
|
| student score
|
:
|
2005
|
| Page No
|
:
|
263
|
| Abstract
|
:
|
This dissertation examines the political career of Senator James A. McClure as it relates to United States energy policy and Middle Eastern affairs, 1967-1990 and within the context of the modern (post-World War II) conservative movement. A pragmatic conservative, McClure sought a balance between the extremes of issues, especially as they related to energy and United States foreign policy toward the Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East. More often than not, this quiet senator from Idaho was the voice of reason and moderation, carefully analyzing all sides of the issue before submitting his views on the subject. His approach to energy policy represents his conservative expression of policy, while his approach to the Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East demonstrates his moderation, reason, and pragmatism. He called for a national energy plan that would promote domestic production of natural energy resources, energy conservation, and peace in the Middle East. He early warned that if the United States did not develop a comprehensive energy policy, the nation would soon face energy shortages. His cautionary statements went unnoticed until the first energy crisis in 1973 and 1974. Although McClure did not support reliance on imported oil to meet energy demand, he did advocate a change in direction in foreign policy. The United States must take a more even-handed approach to the Arab-Israeli conflict and consider the Arab position too in the historic debate. He continually urged a pro-Israeli congress to rethink its policies in this area. In addition to his senate duties, McClure acted as an unofficial goodwill ambassador to many of the Arab leaders in the Middle East. He made at least nine trips to the Middle East to discuss issues of energy, trade, peace, and war. He developed a working rapport with some Arab leaders, and did much to enhance the United States image in the region. He did this at a time in American history when Congress and the public were slow to consider the Arab position. While some individuals thought McClure pro-Arab, or even anti-Semitic, he was not. He maintained throughout his career that he was neither pro-Arab, nor pro-Israeli, but pro-United States. Senator James A. McClure offered the voice of moderation, pragmatism, and balance in contentious issues both national and international. His reasoned approach to politics provides one model that politicians today could imitate.
|
| Subject
|
:
|
Social sciences; Applied sciences; Language, literature and linguistics; Conservative; Energy policy; Idaho; McClure, James A.; Middle Eastern; Senator; American history; International law; International relations; Energy; Biographies; Political science; 0304:Biographies; 0791:Energy; 0615:Political science; 0337:American history; 0616:International relations; 0616:International law
|
| Added Entry
|
:
|
K. G. Aiken
|
| Added Entry
|
:
|
University of Idaho
|
| |