Power, Profit and Prestige: A History of American Imperial Expansion

This insightful book is an abundant resource for serious thinking on the trajectory of world politics today. Robert W. Cox, Emeritus Professor of Political Science, York University, Toronto

Philip Golub brilliantly depicts the long American journey to global ascendancy that is now being eroded by decline, and challenged by emergent rivals, especially China. This sophisticated and beautifully-constructed book is essential reading for all wishing an understanding of world politics in the early 21st century. Richard Falk, Professor, Global and International Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara

A concise, well-judged and deeply informed analysis of the American empire. Every aspect ofGolub's approach is theoretically informed, making this also a model of analysis and argument, most useful in the classroom. Bruce Cumings, Gustavus F. and Ann M. Swift Distinguished Service Professor in History, University of Chicago

Power Profit and Prestige applies incisive historical and sociological analysis to make sense of the United States' post-Cold War imperial behaviour.

Philip S. Golub studies imperial identity formation and shows how an embedded culture of force and expansion has shaped American foreign policy. He argues that the US logic of world power and deeply rooted assumptions about American primacy inhibit democratic transformation at domestic and international levels. This resistance to change may lead the US empire into a crisis of its own making.

This enlightening book will be particularly useful to students of history and international relations as they explore a world where the US is no longer able to set the global agenda.

Philip S. Golub teaches International Relations and International Political Economy at the Institut d'etudes europeennes (IEE), Universite Paris 8 and at the American University of Paris (AUP). He is a Contributing Editor of the monthly Le Monde Diplomatique.