Power and Restraint : The Rise of the United States, 1898--1941 / Jeffrey W. Meiser

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Meiser, Jeffrey W., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States--Foreign relations--20th century.

United States.

Genre:

Electronic books.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (338 p.)

Place of Publication:

Washington, District of Columbia : Georgetown University Press, 2015.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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.

Contents:

Introduction

Theories of rising power expansion and restraint

Origins of expansionism, 1898-1900

Consolidation and backlash, 1899-1903

Adaptation and recession, 1904-1912

Expansionism transformed, 1913-1921

Republican interregnum, 1921-1933

From nonintervention to noninterference, 1933-1941

Conclusion

Index.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781626161795

1626161798

OCLC:

904648188