Shields of the Republic: The Triumph and Perils of America’s Alliances

A principle capability of great powers is to compete for political alignments of other power. As one of the greatest coalition builders in history, the United States has excelled in this dimension. This book by Mira Rapp Hooper examines the history, logic, results, and prospects of the U.S. alliance system. The author rightly argues that this alliance system has enabled the 75-year-period of great power peace since World War II, a singular geopolitical achievement. She also identifies the threats to this system, including an erosion of support among groups on the American political left and right and an uneven or weak performance on defense spending of U.S. allies. With heightened great power challenges in Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East, this book helps you reflect on the importance of these formal political alignments and what it will take to sustain them going forward.