Grand Strategy in Theory and Practice
The Need for an Effective American Foreign Policy

This book explores fundamental questions about grand strategy, as it has evolved across generations and countries.

William C. Martel (Author)

9781107082069, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 January 2015

548 pages, 2 tables
25.7 x 17.5 x 3.3 cm, 1.18 kg

'Today, America's grand strategy isn't very grand and not much of a strategy. Bill Martel offers one clear and powerful prescription for keeping the nation safe, free and prosperous for the long-term - ideas that deserve a hearing.' Jay Carafano, Vice President, Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy, Heritage Foundation

This book explores fundamental questions about grand strategy, as it has evolved across generations and countries. It provides an overview of the ancient era of grand strategy and a detailed discussion of its philosophical, military, and economic foundations in the modern era. The author investigates these aspects through the lenses of four approaches - those of historians, social scientists, practitioners, and military strategists. The main goal is to provide contemporary policy makers and scholars with a historic and analytic framework in which to evaluate and conduct grand strategy. By providing greater analytical clarity about grand strategy and describing its nature and its utility for the state, this book presents a comprehensive theory on the practice of grand strategy in order to articulate the United States' past, present, and future purpose and position on the world stage.

1. Introduction
2. Contemporary classics in American grand strategy
Part I. Makers of Grand Strategy: 3. Foundations of grand strategy
4. Ancient and modern eras of grand strategy
5. Grand strategies of empire in the modern era
6. Revolutionary and nuclear eras of grand strategy
Part II. Makers of American Grand Strategy: 7. Building domestic foundations of American power: Washington to Lincoln
8. Restraining sources of disorder: Theodore Roosevelt to Franklin Delano Roosevelt
9. Reinforcing alliances and partnerships: Truman to Reagan
10. Drifting between principles: Bush to Obama
Part III. Conclusion: 11. The making of a future American grand strategy.

Subject Areas: International relations [JPS], Politics & government [JP]