Policy makers, commentators and academics have all tried to draw parallels between the
historical juncture and policy dilemmas faced by President Johnson as he was trying to
make a decision between two “contending imperatives “- the WAR ON POVERTY and the
WAR IN VIETNAM; and the situation President Obama faced on taking office in dealing with
a severe fiscal recession (THE GREAT RECESSION) – impacting employment massively and
negatively- while executing a WAR IN AFGHANISTAN, which he himself had once described
as a necessary one , and the ongoing WAR ON TERROR.
a) What were the major issues facing LBJ, the divergent policy options; and what was his
decision and with what consequences?
b) What are/were the major issues the Obama administration faced, what were the
divergent policy options and what was his decisions and with what consequences? Has
President Trump tried in his own way to bring about an end to the long war in
Afghanistan? With what results????
c) Finally, do you see any parallels between President Johnson’s actions in Vietnam and
President Obama’s in Afghanistan? Why or why not? Explain fully!