Introduction Idealism Realism Pluralism Stakes Chapter One Power and
restraint in American history The conservative anxiety Cycles of ambition
Moments of restraint Chapter Two Barack Obama and the limits of superpower
Afghanistan America: offshore balancer? Humanitarian war
Counter-proliferation Chapter Three Politics, polarisation and American
exceptionalism Tea and liberty Contested exceptionalism Fiscal paralysis
Money and morals Chapter Four The causes and consequences of austerity The
road to ruin Austerity politics Balance and imbalance Power shift? Chapter
Five Power, influence and leadership A world without followers When
coordination breaks down Frustration and hubris Conclusion Realist Dilemmas
The plurality of power The primacy of politics Appendix American power in
decline?
