The Unilateralist Temptation in American Foreign Policy
About this ebook
Skidmore traces U.S. unilateralism to the structural effects of the end of the Cold War, both domestically and abroad, to argue that the United States was more hegemonic than multilateralist—a rule-maker, not a rule-taker. An "institutional bargain" existed under the Cold War threat from the Soviets, but absent those imperatives the United States has been less willing to provide collective goods through strong international institutions and other states are less willing to defer to U.S. exemptions. On the home front, the post-Cold War political environment has made it more difficult for presidents to resist the appeals of powerful interests who are threatened by multilateral commitments.
This book demonstrates that American unilateralism has deeper roots and more resilience than many expect. The unilateral temptation can only be overcome through new political bargains domestically and internationally that permit multilateral engagement, even the absence of great power rivalry.
About the author
David Skidmore is professor of politics and international relations at Drake University. He is Director of the Drake University Center for Global Citizenship and past Director of the Drake Curriculum and First Year Seminar programs. His research and teaching interests lie in the areas of American foreign policy, international political economy and international relations theory.
