This book examines traditional balance of power theory from a political-economic perspective, using historical examples, to draw out distinctions between the liberal and realist approach and how this affects grand strategy. The realist view of the balance of power theory includes implicit assumptions that economic assets can be turned quickly into power, and that states always respond to threats quickly and only with a view to the 'short-run'. These assumptions drive many of the expectations generated from traditional balance-of-power theory, discouraging realists from looking at domestic sources of power, which in turn undermined their ability to frame strategic decisions properly. By thinking about how power must be managed over time, however, we can model the choices policy-makers confront when determining expenditures on defense, while keeping an eye on the impact of those costs on the economy. By emphasizing the role of the state, identifying different causal patterns in domestic politics, and demonstrating the importance of systemic competition, this book aims to establish why a neo-classical realist approach is not only different from a liberal approach, but also superior when addressing questions on grand strategy. This book will be of much interest to students of security studies, international political economy, grand strategy and IR theory in general. Mark R. Brawley is Professor of Political Science at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. He is author of several books on International Relations, specialising in the connections between political economic issues and security.

Product Description: Since the end of the cold war, understandings of the development of relationships within and between states have taken on new meanings, generally bundled under the word "globalization." This word is used everywhere, but what does it mean? This book explores the political dimensions of globalization, considering different definitions of the term as well as several specific globalizing processes...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Product Description: As NATO’s first hostile offensive military action, Operation Allied Force placed new demands and pressures on the Alliance. Those pressures and demands offer an opportunity to answer critical questions regarding Alliance politics: How much autonomy do the Alliance members have? Does the U...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

With the end of the Cold War, politicians and pundits spoke of a peace dividend as well as a glorious new world order. But now, the United States seems entangled in more international obligations than ever before. Does the U.S. have the resources to maintain its numerous and growing commitments? Or is it bound to suffer from "overstretch"? What choices does a nation burdened with international responsibilities have to avoid becoming over-extended?Mark R. Brawley argues―against the orthodox view―that the problem is not that policymakers fail to recognize overstretch, but that they fail to adjust to it. He details how hegemonic powers respond to overcommitment with "afterglows," maintaining leadership obligations long after such policies have ceased to be rational from a national, or domestic, perspective. Afterglow or Adjustment examines differing responses to overstretch in modern history, focusing mostly on military and economic policies in the U.S. and Britain over the past century. (view table of contents)

Product Description: 'Turning Points' presents the theories and paradigms of international relations in the context of the issues of the international political economy (IPE); trade, investment, and monetary relations. Largely it does so by developing historical cases of pivotal events in the evolution of the IPE to illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of these theories...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Product Description: Book by Brawley, Mark R.