After victory : institutions, strategic restraint, and the rebuilding of order after major wars

The end of the Cold War was a "big bang" reminiscent of earlier moments after major wars, such as the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815 and the end of the World Wars in 1919 and 1945. Here John Ikenberry asks the question, what do states that win wars do with their newfound power and how do they use it to build order? In examining the postwar settlements in modern history, he argues that powerful countries do seek to build stable and cooperative relations, but the type of order that emerges hinges on their ability to make commitments and restrain power. The author explains that only with the spread of democracy in the twentieth century and the innovative use of international institutions--both linked to the emergence of the United States as a world power--has order been created that goes beyond balance of power politics to exhibit "constitutional" characteristics. The open character of the American polity and a web of multilateral institutions allow the United States to exercise strategic restraint and establish stable relations among the industrial democracies despite rapid shifts and extreme disparities in power. Blending comparative politics with international relations, and history with theory, __After Victory__ will be of interest to anyone concerned with the organization of world order, the role of institutions in world politics, and the lessons of past postwar settlements for today. It also speaks to today's debate over the ability of the United States to lead in an era of unipolar power.

"For the third time in this troubled century and following the end of the Cold War and the tragic events in the former Yugoslavia, the world is challenged to create a stable and enduring world order. In this pathbreaking book, Ikenberry draws upon novel theoretical insights and historical experience to determine what policies and strategies work best as the United States attempts to lead in the struggles to create a new world order. . A major contribution to IR theory and to thinking about international order."--Robert Gilpin, Princeton University

"Through careful, thorough, and subtle analysis of the diplomacy of the post-war settlements of 1815, 1919, 1945, and 1989--91, John Ikenberry addresses in After Victory three major questions for the study of world politics: how do major-state victors seek to translate their military success into a sustainable political order; why do secondary-state partners accept the order so constructed by the major victors; and why have post-war settlements become progressively based on institutional principles and practices? In its theoretical boldness, historical sweep, policy relevance, and sheer elegance of analysis and presentation, few books published in the past quarter-century in the field of international relations are the equal of After Victory."--Joseph Grieco, Duke University

"After Victory is an extremely important inquiry into the origins of postwar order in international relations--the key analytic and policy issue of our time. Ikenberry's book is unique in its theoretical and empirical sweep. In contrast to realists, for whom international orders are epiphenomenal and transient, and constructivists, who see order emerging from shared worldviews and norms, Ikenberry adopts a historical sociological framework. He argues that states self-consciously create institutions to bind themselves and others in international orders that reduce the 'returns to power'."--David A. Lake, University of California, San Diego

"After Victory argues that political primacy is achieved best through a strategy of limiting the unilateral exercise of power. This book engages contemporary political debates, and it illuminates these debates with an informative set of historical case studies. All serious students of international relations and all practitioners of foreign policy will want to come to terms with John Ikenberry's elegant and learned analysis."--Peter Katzenstein, Cornell University

Robert Wright - The New York Times

After Victory show[s] how international governance can serve the interests of hegemonic powers.

The End Of The Cold War Was A Big Bang Reminiscent Of Earlier Moments After Major Wars, Such As The End Of The Napoleonic Wars In 1815 And The End Of The World Wars In 1919 And 1945. Here John Ikenberry Asks The Question, What Do States That Win Wars Do With Their Newfound Power And How Do They Use It To Build Order? In Examining The Postwar Settlements In Modern History, He Argues That Powerful Countries Do Seek To Build Stable And Cooperative Relations, But The Type Of Order That Emerges Hinges On Their Ability To Make Commitments And Restrain Power. The Author Explains That Only With The Spread Of Democracy In The Twentieth Century And The Innovative Use Of International Institutions--both Linked To The Emergence Of The United States As A World Power--has Order Been Created That Goes Beyond Balance Of Power Politics To Exhibit Constitutional Characteristics. The Open Character Of The American Polity And A Web Of Multilateral Institutions Allow The United States To Exercise Strategic Restraint And Establish Stable Relations Among The Industrial Democracies Despite Rapid Shifts And Extreme Disparities In Power. Blending Comparative Politics With International Relations, And History With Theory, After Victory Will Be Of Interest To Anyone Concerned With The Organization Of World Order, The Role Of Institutions In World Politics, And The Lessons Of Past Postwar Settlements For Today. It Also Speaks To Today's Debate Over The Ability Of The United States To Lead In An Era Of Unipolar Power.--publisher Description. Ch. 1. The Problem Of Order -- Ch. 2. Varieties Of Order: Balance Of Power, Hegemonic, And Constitutional -- Ch. 3. An Institutional Theory Of Order Formation -- Ch. 4. The Settlement Of 1815 -- Ch. 5. The Settlement Of 1919 -- Ch. 6. The Settlement Of 1945 -- Ch. 7. After The Cold War -- Ch. 8. Conclusion. G. John Ikenberry. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The end of the Cold War was a "big bang" in world politics not unlike earlier historical moments after major wars, such as the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815 and the end of the World Wars in 1919 and 1945. Here John Ikenberry asks the question, what do states that win these great conflicts do with their new found power and how do they use it to build order? In examining the major postwar settlements in modern history, he argues that powerful countries usually seek to build stable and cooperative relations, and often the best way to do this is to restrain the exercise of brute power by operating within multilateral institutions.The author explains that military winners have a long-term interest in the stability of a new world order, since they are the dominant powers within it. Consequently, they limit their own power and coopt other states to create stable and lasting relations. The more institutionalized and self-limiting, the more durable the postwar order. Ikenberry maintains that a country's ability to restrain its power has shifted historically with the rise of democratic states. Blending comparative politics with international relations, and history with theory, After Victory will interest anyone concerned about the organization of world order, the role of institutions in facilitating cooperation, and the lessons of past postwar settlements for today. It also speaks to current debates in the policy community about the ability of the United States today to organize the post-Cold War order. AT RARE historical junctures, states grapple with the fundamental problem of international relations: how to create and maintain order in a world of sovereign states.