1 - Introduction The Puzzle of US Hegemonic Leadership

Summary

This chapter states the purpose of the book and its main argument. How can a world order that aspires to be consensual be managed and enforced? The book offers a systematic exploration of the mechanisms through which the United States was able to sustain a consensual world order. As the hegemon and enforcer of its world order, the United States acted like a “sheriff.” But whenever and wherever the United States relied upon the political ambitions of potential successors to favor leadership turnover, it was able to fulfill its preferences and to achieve better governance and greater respect of human rights. That made the United States a shrewd sheriff. In contrast, whenever and wherever the United States relied upon established dictators poised to rule for life or democratic presidents with no viable competitors, it turned into a bad cop that would either countenance bad governance and human rights abuses or would resort to coercion and coups to achieve its political goals.