Some error occured while loading the Quick View. Please close the Quick View and try reloading the page.
Why didn’t the United States act sooner to counter China’s rise? This compelling book unpacks a key puzzle in post-Cold War foreign policy, arguing that a permissive international environment—not just domestic politics—shaped US inaction.
At the turn of the 21st century, a relatively peaceful order and the prioritization of economic concerns gave space for strategic hesitation, while a foreign-policy consensus was undermined by divided perceptions of China’s intentions. In explaining these dynamics, Michiel Foulon introduces a powerful new theory of grand strategy change which offers fresh insight into how global conditions influence decision-making. Essential reading for scholars of international relations, security studies and anyone seeking to understand the shifting balance of power in the today’s world.
Introduction
1. A Theory of Grand Strategy Change
2. Permissiveness in the Asia-Pacific, 1991-2010
3. Perception and Power in Permissiveness
4. The US’ China Strategy of Luxury
5. Restrictiveness in the Asia-Pacific, 2011-2022
6. Perception and Power in Restrictiveness
7. The US’ China Strategy of Constrained Balancing
Conclusion