Undermining American Hegemony: Goods Substitution in World Politics

This book highlights the stakes disguised by traditional theoretical languages of power transitions and hegemonic wars, emphasizing the most consequential undermining of hegemony is routine, bottom-up processes of international goods substitution. It examines how actors gain access to alternative suppliers of public goods and how states move away from the liberal international order, offering a new perspective on one of the key issues of our time.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 251 pages
Publication date: 21 March 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This book offers a fresh approach to the study of international order, highlighting the stakes disguised by traditional theoretical languages of power transitions and hegemonic wars. Instead of direct challenges to US military power, the most consequential undermining of hegemony is the routine, bottom-up processes of international goods substitution. This slow hollowing out of the existing order occurs through competition to seek or offer alternative sources for economic, military, or social goods. By examining how actors gain access to alternative suppliers of these public goods, this volume demonstrates how states gradually move away from the liberal international order.

The book takes the reader on a journey from local Faroese politics to Russian election observers in Central Asia and South American drug lords. By broadening the debate about the role of public goods in international politics, this book offers a new perspective on one of the key issues of our time.

The traditional theoretical frameworks of power transitions and hegemonic wars often obscure the significant implications of the processes that undermine hegemony. While direct challenges to US military power may capture the attention of policymakers and scholars, the most consequential undermining of hegemony occurs through routine, bottom-up processes of international goods substitution. These processes involve the competition to seek or offer alternative sources for economic, military, or social goods.

Over time, this competition leads to a gradual hollowing out of the existing international order. As actors gain access to alternative suppliers of these public goods, they begin to diversify their sources of supply, reducing their dependence on traditional hegemonic powers. This shift in dependencies can have far-reaching consequences for the balance of power in the global system.

One of the key insights of this book is that the most consequential undermining of hegemony is not necessarily driven by grand strategic calculations or military interventions. Instead, it is the result of ordinary, day-to-day interactions between individuals, businesses, and governments. The book explores a range of case studies, from local Faroese politics to Russian election observers in Central Asia and South American drug lords, to illustrate how these processes of international goods substitution play out in different contexts.

Through these case studies, the book demonstrates how states gradually move away from the liberal international order. The liberal international order, which has been dominant since the end of World War II, is characterized by the promotion of free trade, democracy, and human rights. However, as states seek to diversify their sources of supply and reduce their dependence on traditional hegemonic powers, they are increasingly willing to prioritize their own national interests over the interests of the international community.

One of the consequences of this shift is the emergence of new power centers and alliances. As states seek to protect their interests and secure their supply chains, they form new partnerships and alliances with other countries. These partnerships can be based on a range of factors, including economic interests, military capabilities, and cultural values.

However, these new power centers and alliances can also create tensions and conflicts. As states compete for resources and influence, they may engage in military interventions, economic sanctions, or other forms of coercion to secure their interests. This can lead to instability and conflict in the global system, as well as the erosion of the liberal international order.

Another important aspect of this book is its focus on the role of public goods in international politics. Public goods are goods that are consumed by multiple actors and have significant impacts on the well-being of individuals and societies. Examples of public goods include clean water, healthcare, education, and security.

As states seek to diversify their sources of supply and reduce their dependence on traditional hegemonic powers, they are increasingly reliant on the production and distribution of public goods. This can have significant implications for the global distribution of power and wealth. For example, if a country has access to alternative sources of clean water, it may be able to export water to other countries, generating revenue and increasing its influence in the global economy.

However, the production and distribution of public goods can also be a source of conflict and tension. If a country has control over a critical resource, such as water or oil, it may use its power to extract resources at the expense of other countries. This can lead to economic instability, political instability, and social unrest.

To address these challenges, the book offers a range of policy recommendations. One of the key recommendations is the promotion of international cooperation and collaboration. By working together to address the challenges of global goods substitution, states can reduce the risks of conflict and instability. This can involve the establishment of international institutions, such as the World Trade Organization, to promote free trade and reduce trade barriers.

Another recommendation is the promotion of transparency and accountability in the production and distribution of public goods. By ensuring that public goods are produced and distributed in a fair and equitable manner, states can reduce the risks of corruption and abuse of power. This can involve the establishment of independent oversight mechanisms, such as audit committees or regulatory bodies, to monitor the production and distribution of public goods.

In conclusion, this book offers a fresh approach to the study of international order, highlighting the stakes disguised by traditional theoretical languages of power transitions and hegemonic wars. By examining the processes of international goods substitution, the book demonstrates how states gradually move away from the liberal international order and towards new power centers and alliances. The book also emphasizes the role of public goods in international politics and offers a range of policy recommendations to address the challenges of global goods substitution. By promoting international cooperation and collaboration, transparency and accountability, and the fair and equitable distribution of public goods, states can reduce the risks of conflict and instability and work towards a more stable and prosperous global system.

ISBN-13: 9781108949323