Twilight of the Titans: Great Power Decline and Retrenchment

Twilight of the Titans examines great power transitions since 1870 to determine how declining powers choose to behave, challenging the conventional wisdom that such transitions push them to extreme measures. It uses case studies to show how declining states tend to behave, the policy options they have, how rising states respond, and what conditions reward particular strategic choices.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 276 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2021
Publisher: Cornell University Press

In Twilight of the Titans, Paul K. MacDonald and Joseph M. Parent delve into a comprehensive examination of the dynamics of great power transitions spanning from 1870 to the present. Their objective is to unravel the decision-making processes of declining powers as they navigate the shifting hierarchy of global influence. By challenging the prevailing notion that these transitions inevitably lead to extreme actions, the book presents a compelling argument that there are alternative strategies for declining great powers to maintain their relative power and prestige. Through a rich array of case studies, MacDonald and Parent vividly illustrate how declining states tend to behave, the policy options available to them, the responses of rising states to those in decline, and the factors that shape strategic choices. This insightful analysis provides valuable insights into the complex interplay of power, politics, and international relations, offering a fresh perspective on the dynamics of global power dynamics.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501755309