Exit from Hegemony: The Unraveling of the American Global Order

by Alexander Cooley, Daniel Nexon

We live in a period of great uncertainty about the fate of America's global leadership. Many believe that Donald Trump's presidency marks the end of liberal international order-the very system of global institutions, rules, and values that shaped the American international system since the end of World War II. Trump's repeated rejection of liberal order, criticisms of long-term allies of the US, and affinity for authoritarian leaders certainly undermines the American international system, but the truth is that liberal international order has been quietly eroding for at least 15 years.

In Exit from Hegemony , Alexander Cooley and Daniel Nexon develop a new, integrated approach to understanding the rise and decline of hegemonic orders. Their approach identifies three distinct ways in which the liberal international order is undergoing fundamental transformation. First, Russia and China have targeted the order, positioning themselves as revisionist powers by establishing alternative regional institutions and pushing counter-norms. Second, weaker states are hollowing out the order by seeking patronage and security partnership from nations outside of the order, such as Saudi Arabia and China. Even though they do not always seek to disrupt American hegemony, these new patron-client relationships lack the same liberal political and economic conditions as those involving the United States and its democratic allies. Third, a new series of transnational networks emphasizing illiberalism, nationalism, and right-wing values increasing challenges the anti-authoritarian,
progressive transnational networks of the 1990s. These three pathways erode the primacy of the liberal international order from above, laterally, and from below. The Trump administration, with its "America First" doctrine, accelerates all three processes, critically lessening America's position as a world power.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Political Science, International Relations, American

304 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2020

Reviews

[Francis Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bleak and convincing assessment and forecast of the decline of liberal democracy, open trade and multilateralism taken together, as well as the loss of America’s hegemony since 1989, due to a combination of challengers (China, Russia), defectors (weaker illiberal regimes) and transnational movements and organisations. In this process the presidency of Donald Trump was both a symptom and a catalyst.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a sweeping but accessible and rigorous treatment, Cooley and Nexon describe what makes an international order and why America’s liberal order is being challenged by actors like China, Russia, and networks of activists and lesser powers. Measured but pessimistic, this book supplies a framework for thinking about Trump and beyond.

[Norm · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is not an easy read, but if you stick with it it provides a cogent and compelling explanation of America's place in the world order, and how it has declined and is diminishing even faster under Trump; in fact, a pretty grim picture.

(note: the co-author is my nephew)

[Luigi Berinde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy to report that I read this book in two sessions over the span of two days. One was on a train, the other on a flight. I was very delighted to be able to accomplish this, as I’ve been greatly procrastinating reading this book (it’s for a foreign policy class).

I think this is an informative read. It does a good job at capturing American foreign policy both after and during Cold War. Interesting arguments and viewpoints on American hegemony from the authors. I wish the authors waited a couple of years to publish it cus they published it mid-trump admin and they speculated a LOT about what would happen after his term and w the next president. Like why not just wait and see and then publish?

Okay and also I lowkey caught a lot of typos in the book which had me like ..?

[Noah Candelario · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that this book does a good job of explaining what makes a hegemony, using contemporary events and figures to explain it. I would have given it five stars if it did not mention Trump most of the time. Although he is a key figure in the Exit from Hegemony, later in reading I get a bit tired of hearing about Trump, and would rather hear about other actors instead. Overall, I do think it is a good book, but I would like to see more mention of sources instead of just unnamed sources to explain the story.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely an engaging, thought provoking and informative read that’s well worth checking out if you have interest in American foreign policy or hegemonic systems. That said, it’s pretty dense and a text bookie, so it was a slow read for me.

[Joel Blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Will be writing up an official review for a certain blog site.

[Turgut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty much, America is withdrawing from the Middle East. And the void will be filled either by Britain or Turkey.

[Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

had to read this book for a class. if i had to sit and suffer through it i WILL get my goodreads credit for it. if you care about american foreign policy, you might enjoy this. i, however, did not.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

a little less about china and russia and more of a focus on america’s failures domestically and internationally would have gone a long way for me