In the Shadows of the American Century

For a decade America’s share of the global economy has been in decline. Its diplomatic alliances are under immense strain, and any claim of moral leadership has been abandoned. America is still a colossus, possessing half the world’s manufacturing capacity, nearly half its military forces, and a formidable system of global surveillance and covert operations. But even at its peak it may have been sowing the seeds of its own destruction.Is it realistic to rely on the global order established after World War II, or are we witnessing the changing of the guard, with China emerging as the world’s economic and military powerhouse? America clings to its superpower status, but for how much longer?

‘A brilliant and deeply informed must-read for anyone seriously interested in geopolitics, the history of Empire, and the shape of the future.’, ‘A profound meditation on the nature of American state power.’, ‘McCoy’s detailed, panoramic analysis…joins the essential short list of scrupulous historical and comparative studies of the United States as an…imperial power.’, ‘Persuasively argues for the inevitable decline of the American empire and the rise of China… Powerful.’, ‘One of our best and most underappreciated historians takes a hard look at the truth of our empire, both its covert activities and the reasons for its impending decline.’

Alfred W. McCoy is Harrington Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2012, Yale University awarded him the Wilbur Cross Medal for work as ‘one of the world’s leading historians of Southeast Asia and an expert on…international political surveillance.’