How firm is America's grasp on global supremacy?
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Theoretically eclectic in his approach to the topic, Walt (international affairs, Harvard U.) explains the possible strategic reactions of the world to American "primacy." Himself rather sanguine about the fact of American power, Walt suggests that the way other countries react to that power affects the ability of the United States to achieve its foreign policy goals and that US foreign policy should therefore be formulated with on eye on the strategies that may be used to oppose or accommodate American power. In the case of opposition, these strategies include the formation of balancing coalitions, balking from US requests while seeking to avoid an overt clash, binding US action through the use of norms and institutions, blackmail, and delegitimation of US global leadership. In terms of accommodating US power, countries may seek to bandwagon with the US, bonding with US leaders in order to gain influence, or directly penetrating the American political process. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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