Globalization and the American Century [Paperback]

A bold new approach to American history and diplomacy in the twentieth century.Revolutionary improvements in technology combined with the leadership elite's enthusiasm for de-regulation of markets and free trade to fuel American-style globalization. The nation rose to economic power after the Spanish-American War, and won both world wars and the Cold war, after which America's power and cultural influence soared as business and financial interests pursued the long-term quest for global markets. But, the tragic events of September 2001 and the growing volatility of global finance, raised questions about whether the era of American-led globalization was sustainable, or vulnerable to catastrophic collapse.Revolutionary improvements in technology combined with the leadership elite's enthusiasm for de-regulation of markets and free trade to fuel American-style globalization. The nation rose to economic power after the Spanish-American War, and won both world wars and the Cold war, after which America's power and cultural influence soared as business and financial interests pursued the long-term quest for global markets. But, the tragic events of September 2001 and the growing volatility of global finance, raised questions about whether the era of American-led globalization was sustainable, or vulnerable to catastrophic collapse.Alfred Eckes and Thomas Zeiler argue that the American Century of global leadership resulted from revolutionary improvements in technology combined with the leadership elite's enthusiasm for free trade. The authors reveal how this formula helped the nation rise to economic power after the Spanish-American War, and win both world wars and the Cold War. America's power and cultural influence soared as business and financial interests pursued global market dominance in the following decade. But the tragic events of September 2001 and the growing volatility of global finance raise questions as to whether the era of American-led globalization islCÇ