American power and the prospects for international order

The turn of the century has seen the US greatly enhance its military supremacy across the world. It has also played a key role in shaping the international economic order. More recently, however, its world-wide economic domination has started to diminish as other regions and countries have become globally important players. Simon Bromley brings a fresh perspective to these issues, arguing that it is as yet unclear whether the US will be capable of rising to the challenges posed by the new world order. He carefully examines the intricacies of these debates including the American ideology of a liberal international order and the relation of this to the Bush doctrine; US power in the transatlantic arena and US-European integration in relation to the EU and NATO; and the geo-politics of oil. He looks at a range of challenges to US dominance, including the weakening of the dollar; the rapid growth and industrialization of Asia; and the strengths and weaknesses of Bush's foreign policy. This book is set to spark debate amongst students and scholars of international politics, as well as appealing to anyone interested in the changing shape of the international order. List of Tables and Figures vii Preface viii Introduction: The American Project for a Liberal International Order 1 1 The American Ideology: Modernization Theory and the Neo-Conservatives 8 Introduction 8 What Was Modernization Theory? 10 Containment and 'Development' 14 Modernization Theory and World Order 20 Modernity Is Not the 'End of History' 31 Modernization Theory, the Neo-Conservatives and the Bush Doctrine 37 Conclusions 50 2 America's Transatlantic Empire: Where in the World Is America? 52 Introduction 52 The American Empire 54 Imperialism 61 Anarchy, Rivalry and Interdependence 66 US Power and the Liberal Capitalist International Order 82 Conclusions 97 3 American Oil, World Oil: Resources, Confl icts, Control and Scarcity 101 Introduction 101 Reasons for War? 103 America's Oil, World Oil 106 OPEC and World Oil 115 The United States and Middle East Oil 118 Reshaping the Greater Middle East 122 The Role of Oil in the New Middle East Strategy 135 Carry on Driving? 143 Conclusions 148 4 American Power, the Future of the Dollar and the Challenge of China 149 Introduction 149 International Money 151 From Fixed to Floating Exchange Rates 160 Resurgent Asia 173 Containing China? 185 Conclusions 199 Conclusion: The Prospects for a Liberal International Order 202 Notes 211 Bibliography 226 Name Index 237 Subject Index 240 CONTENTS 7 TABLES AND FIGURES 9 PREFACE 10 INTRODUCTION: The American Project for a Liberal International Order 13 1: THE AMERICAN IDEOLOGY: Modernization Theory and the Neo-Conservatives 20 Introduction 20 What was Modernization Theory? 22 Containment and ‘Development’ 26 Modernization Theory and World Order 32 Modernity Is Not the ‘End of History’ 43 Modernization Theory, the Neo-Conservatives and the Bush Doctrine 49 Conclusions 62 2: AMERICA’S TRANSATLANTIC EMPIRE: Where in the World Is America? 64 Introduction 64 The American Empire 66 Imperialism 73 Anarchy, Rivalry and Interdependence 78 US Power and the Liberal Capitalist International Order 94 Conclusions 109 3: AMERICAN OIL, WORLD OIL: Resources, Conflicts, Control and Scarcity 113 Introduction 113 Reasons for War? 115 America’s Oil, World Oil 118 OPEC and World Oil 127 The United States and Middle East Oil 130 Reshaping the Greater Middle East 134 The Role of Oil in the New Middle East Strategy 147 Carry on Driving? 155 Conclusions 160 4: AMERICAN POWER, THE FUTURE OF THE DOLLAR AND THE CHALLENGE OF CHINA 161 Introduction 161 International Money 163 From Fixed to Floating Exchange Rates 172 Resurgent Asia 185 Containing China? 197 Conclusions 211 CONCLUSION: The Prospects for a Liberal International Order 214 NOTES 223 BIBLIOGRAPHY 238 Name Index 249 Subject Index 252 "The turn of the century has seen the United States greatly enhance its military supremacy across the world. The US has also played a key role in shaping the international economic order. More recently, however, its world-wide economic domination has started to diminish as other regions and countries - including Europe and China - have become globally important players. Simon Bromley brings a fresh perspective to these issues, arguing that it is as yet unclear whether the US will be capable of rising to the challenges posed by the new world order"--BOOK JACKET By Simon Bromley. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes.