Superpowers in the Post-Cold War Era

This book explores the question of where, and with whom, power lies in the post-Cold War world. The authors identify and discuss the factors which make the United States the world leader in the 1990s, and consider the strengths and weaknesses of countries which may be on the way to becoming leaders in Europe (Russia and the European Union) and Asia (Japan and China). The authors' main argument is that the world is becoming "unitripolar" with the United States as its pivotal, though not fully hegemonic, power. What has become of the two Cold War superpowers and of the region which was the main focus of their pre-1989 armed stand-off? The core argument in this book is that the post-Cold War world is shaping up to be `unitripolar'. The United States - the winner of the Cold War - is the world's most complete power. It is the only one with a real global vision, global interests and power-projection capability. Yet, the authors argue, the United States does not and can not dominate international life. Other leading powers in Europe and Asia have their own agendas which the US has usually, sensibly, decided to take into account and compromise with. The other Cold War superpower has disappeared and in its place has emerged a new Russian state which, the authors show, has been confined to the status of a largely regional and reactive power. The authors argue finally that Western Europe - through the European Union - has tried but so far failed to develop a more coherent and influential role and status as a global power. Front Matter....Pages i-x Power....Pages 1-17 The Two Cold War Superpowers....Pages 18-49 The United States: Cajoler or Controller?....Pages 50-96 Succeeding the Soviet Union....Pages 97-132 What Next for Europe?....Pages 133-164 Has the Winner Taken All?....Pages 165-180 Back Matter....Pages 181-205 Ken Aldred And Martin A. Smith. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.