Power and restraint [electronic resource] : the rise of the United States, 1898-1941 / Jeffrey W. Meiser.

Washington, DC : Georgetown University Press, 2015. (Baltimore, Md. : Project MUSE, 2015)

1 online resource (pages cm)

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American foreign policy between the late nineteenth century and the beginning of World War II is anomalous from the perspective of international relations (IR) theory. During this period, the US was a rising power par excellence, but it did relatively little to transform this newfound power into global influence. Despite the dramatic increase in its economic power, the US maintained its traditional distaste for European modes of diplomacy and imperialism, and it failed to capitalize on many opportunities to expand its political-military power. This behavior runs counter to most thinking in IR theory, which is that rising states tend to become revisionist powers seeking to expand their influence and challenge the existing order. Jeffrey Meiser concludes that American strategic restraint was caused by democratic domestic political institutions and norms. This work is important for understanding more about the history of America's international relations, and it is also important for understanding how regime type in today's rising powers, namely China and India, is likely to shape the character and impact of their ascent in the international system.

Books / Online

English

April 09, 2015

Includes bibliographical references and index.

United States > Foreign relations > 20th century.

Project Muse.