Theory of Unipolar Politics [Paperback]

Theory of Unipolar Politics studies the durability and peacefulness of the post-Cold War international system.Theory of Unipolar Politics provides the first theory of international politics applicable to the postCold War world, in which the United States is the sole military great power. According to Dr. Nuno P. Monteiro, contrary to existing views, this type of international system, in which there is no overall balance of power, is both potentially durable and prone to frequent conflict. In fact, Washington must opt between a grand strategy that prolongs its power preponderance but drags it into frequent conflict and one that allows it to avoid war but undermines its military dominance. It can't have both.Theory of Unipolar Politics provides the first theory of international politics applicable to the postCold War world, in which the United States is the sole military great power. According to Dr. Nuno P. Monteiro, contrary to existing views, this type of international system, in which there is no overall balance of power, is both potentially durable and prone to frequent conflict. In fact, Washington must opt between a grand strategy that prolongs its power preponderance but drags it into frequent conflict and one that allows it to avoid war but undermines its military dominance. It can't have both.Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States enjoys unparalleled military power. The international system is therefore unipolar. A quarter century later, however, we still possess no theory of unipolarity. Theory of Unipolar Politics provides one. Dr. Nuno P. Monteiro answers three of the most important questions about the workings of a unipolar world. Is it durable? Is it peaceful? What is the best grand strategy a unipolar power such as the contemporary United States can implement? In our nuclear world, the power preponderance of the United States is potentially durable but likely to produce frequent conflict. Furthermore, in order to maintain its powerl³