U.S. Leadership in a World of Uncertainties

Description

This book analyzes the transformations and consistencies of American leadership during the past few years and situates recent American foreign policy in a longer time frame, following the 2020 presidential election and after a full year of the Biden Administration. This longer and broader view by European and American academics and experts considers both shifting American policies, notably during Trump's presidency, and underlying trends that have often gone ignored compared to the more dramatic antics of the 45th president. It helps decode recent American policy and permits us to consider possible new directions and likely continuities under Democratic leadership. Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures 1 Introduction References 2 Liberal Internationalism and U.S. Leadership Notes References 3 “We Will Remain a Pacific Power”: America’s Self-Proclaimed Destiny in the Asia–Pacific Region The Failure of Non-Military Stabilization, 1900–1941 From World War to Cold War, 1941–1989 The Post-Cold War Era References 4 The United States and the Middle East: Playing Alice in Wonderland’s Croquet Game The Fall of the Ottoman Empire Oil and U.S. Re-Engagement Growing Complexities: Decolonization, the Cold War and the New Assertiveness of Oil Producers Islamism and the Iranian Revolution The Delusion of Unipolarism The Arrogance of Power2 Learning a New Game Notes References 5 What is Left of U.S. Leadership in the Americas? From “Beneath the United States” to “Partnership” Security Concerns Challenges to Democracy From the Mantra of Economic Liberalism to Competition for Economic Leadership Still a Force of Attraction and Influence Conclusion Notes References 6 Fiscal and Monetary Policy and U.S. Leadership: A Historical Perspective Introduction The Post-World War II Era: Assumed Hegemony American Exceptionalism After the Second World War The Fordist Production Paradigm, a Vector for Unprecedented Prosperity “Fine-Tuning” Fiscal and Monetary Policies Stabilized This New Regime A Benevolent Hegemon The Economic Sources of Hegemony Progressively Transform The End of Fordism‚ Competition and Internationalization: A Major Break in the Economic System Renewed Confidence in the Dollar Leads to Wall Street Becoming the Center of Global Financial Intermediation The Budget Socialized the Losses of the 2008 Financial Crisis and Those Linked to Covid-19 Strengths and Weaknesses of American Leadership in the 2020s How to Get Out of Quantitative Easing? Difficulty Curbing Inflation by Monetary Policy Alone An Unexpected Asset: Energy Autonomy In an Uncertain and Conflict-Ridden World, the Dollar Remains a Safe Haven Fragilized Leadership Conclusion References 7 Competing for Leadership: Europe’s Choices in the Sino-American Geo-Economic Rivalry America’s New Sputnik Moment China’s Mercantilism America’s “Managed Trade” Energy “Dominance”: Control of Energy Flows Knowledge is Power: Controlling Information Flows Europe’s Sovereignty at Stake Conclusion References 8 Technological Leader, Regulatory Laggard? Washington and the Shifting Governance of Digital Trade From Statistics to Geopolitics “This is not Industrial Policy”: the Emergence of America’s Digital Trade Strategy Regulatory (Dis)inclinations: Embattled Leadership Digital Services Taxes Antitrust Policies Conclusion Notes References 9 The Limitations of U.S. Climate Leadership: A Realist Perspective Fundamental Realist Principles and Climate Diplomacy The Primacy of Economic Growth and National Prosperity Defending U.S. National Sovereignty Nationalism and Mutual Trust Conclusion References 10 Who Recognizes? U.S. Nuclear Diplomacy and the Conferral of Legitimacy Hierarchical Recognition in the Postwar Era Case Studies India and the “123 Agreement” Iran and the JCPOA Recognition and the Rise of China Conclusion Notes References 11 Defining Strategy and Maintaining Allies for Great Power Competition: Independent Leadership in the Department of Defense Introduction: The Military and U.S. Leadership Consistent Defense Policy from Obama to Trump to Biden Independent DoD Diplomacy in Europe Limitations of Militarized Foreign Policy Conclusion: The Militarization of American Leadership Notes References 12 Prepping for Long-Term Competition? U.S. Leadership in Cyberspace from Trump to Biden The Quest for Operational Dominance and Political Leadership in Cyberspace Rebuilding the Foundations of Power and Leadership Rivalry in Digital Technology Leadership as a Central Element of the Competition with China The Rise of the Chinese Digital Threat The Digital Containment of China Disentangling Digital Technologies: A Fragmentation of Cyberspace? Conclusion Notes References Index