Episode 96: The Four Ages of American Foreign Policy by Michael Mandelbaum - Deep Dive Book Review

Rambling Dan Rose Deep Dive Book Reviews

Our review today is of Michael Mandelbaum's The Four Ages of American Foreign Policy, which examines the evolution of US foreign policy, dividing it into four distinct eras: weak power (1765-1815), great power (1865-1945), superpower (1945-1991), and hyperpower (1991-2015). The book analyzes key events within each period, such as the American Revolution, the Mexican-American War, the Cold War, and the War on Terror, highlighting the shifting geopolitical dynamics and the interplay of ideology and national interests that shaped US foreign policy decisions. The book explores how domestic factors, like public opinion and economic systems, influenced foreign policy choices and outcomes. Finally, it reflects on the successes and failures of American foreign policy across these different phases.

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