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2 - The United States as a Shrewd Sheriff

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 July 2023

Giacomo Chiozza
Affiliation:
American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Summary

This chapter introduces the theoretical framework of the book. It shows that the conundrum of a consensual world order can be disentangled by analyzing the mechanisms through which incumbents and potential challengers can gain and maintain power. For the United States, the fundamental challenge is to channel the political ambitions of potential successor leaders toward good governance and respect of human rights while avoiding becoming entangled with any specific incumbent in partner nations. Domestic political institutions that foster political successors and allow for regular and flexible channels of leadership turnover make it easier for the United States to attain friendly relations by easing more accommodating leaders into power. In a special twist, institutions that allow for regular and flexible channels of leadership turnover also create domestic political incentives that foster the attainment of better governance and more respect of human rights. In contrast, domestic political institutions that concentrate power in the hands of the incumbents, and curtail political competition, make it more difficult for the United States to exercise influence.

Type
Chapter
Information
Leverage and Cooperation in the US World Order
The Shrewd Sheriff
, pp. 22 - 55
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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