Paul Kennedy's 'The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers' Continues to Spark Debate on U.S. Global Standing
Paul Kennedy's seminal work, 'The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers,' published in 1987, remains a central point of discussion regarding the United States' global position. A recent roundtable discussion, featuring reviews by Michael Brenes, Rosella Cappella Zielinski, Michael Cox, John D. Maurer, and Varsha Venkatasubramanian, reflects on the book's enduring relevance 35 years after its publication. Kennedy's core argument posits that the rise and fall of great powers are intrinsically linked to the interaction between economic strength and military power, with 'imperial overstretch' often leading to decline. While the book initially sparked controversy, particularly its suggestion of potential U.S. decline, subsequent global events like the collapse of the Soviet Union and Japan's economic struggles led some to dismiss its predictions. However, with the economic ascent of China and India, and ongoing debates about U.S. foreign policy and domestic polarization, the book's themes have re-emerged as highly ...
