William R. Thompson is Distinguished Professor and Rogers Chair in Political Science Emeritus at Indiana University, Bloomington. He is also Editor-in-Chief of the Oxford Research Encyclopedia in Politics, a past President of the International Studies Association, and twice Editor-in-Chief of the International Studies Quarterly. Recent books include Racing to the Top, Shocks and Rivalries in the Middle East and North Africa, and Power Concentration in World Politics.

This volume deals with complex arguments using clear language, fairly crafted propositions, well-designed indicators, and the very insightful long leadership cycle perspective. It brings sharp focus and real life into the increasingly foggy question of US decline." -Robert A. Denemark, Professor of Political Science and International Relations, University of Delaware

• 1. American Systemic Leadership: Its Unparalleled Rise and Slow Retreat2. System Leadership, Rise and Relative Decline in the Global Political Economy3. The Rise of the U.S. Economy4. The 1920-45 Shift in U.S. Foreign Policy Orientation: Theory, Grand Strategies and System Leader Ascents5. The Relative Decline of the United States6. The Dysfunctionality of Domestic Politics: A Form of Absolute Decline7. The Unipolarity Mirage8. Inching Toward the Primus inter Pares Model and the End of Systemic Leadership as We Have Come to Know It?9. The Second Sino-American Rivalry10. The Future of World OrderReferencesIndex

William R. Thompson is Distinguished Professor and Rogers Chair in Political Science Emeritus at Indiana University, Bloomington. He is also Editor-in-Chief of the Oxford Research Encyclopedia in Politics, a past President of the International Studies Association, and twice Editor-in-Chief of the International Studies Quarterly. Recent books include Racing to the Top, Shocks and Rivalries in the Middle East and North Africa, and Power Concentration in World Politics.

This volume deals with complex arguments using clear language, fairly crafted propositions, well-designed indicators, and the very insightful long leadership cycle perspective. It brings sharp focus and real life into the increasingly foggy question of US decline." -Robert A. Denemark, Professor of Political Science and International Relations, University of Delaware

• 1. American Systemic Leadership: Its Unparalleled Rise and Slow Retreat2. System Leadership, Rise and Relative Decline in the Global Political Economy3. The Rise of the U.S. Economy4. The 1920-45 Shift in U.S. Foreign Policy Orientation: Theory, Grand Strategies and System Leader Ascents5. The Relative Decline of the United States6. The Dysfunctionality of Domestic Politics: A Form of Absolute Decline7. The Unipolarity Mirage8. Inching Toward the Primus inter Pares Model and the End of Systemic Leadership as We Have Come to Know It?9. The Second Sino-American Rivalry10. The Future of World OrderReferencesIndex

William R. Thompson is Distinguished Professor and Rogers Chair in Political Science Emeritus at Indiana University, Bloomington. He is also Editor-in-Chief of the Oxford Research Encyclopedia in Politics, a past President of the International Studies Association, and twice Editor-in-Chief of the International Studies Quarterly. Recent books include Racing to the Top, Shocks and Rivalries in the Middle East and North Africa, and Power Concentration in World Politics.

This volume deals with complex arguments using clear language, fairly crafted propositions, well-designed indicators, and the very insightful long leadership cycle perspective. It brings sharp focus and real life into the increasingly foggy question of US decline." -Robert A. Denemark, Professor of Political Science and International Relations, University of Delaware

• 1. American Systemic Leadership: Its Unparalleled Rise and Slow Retreat2. System Leadership, Rise and Relative Decline in the Global Political Economy3. The Rise of the U.S. Economy4. The 1920-45 Shift in U.S. Foreign Policy Orientation: Theory, Grand Strategies and System Leader Ascents5. The Relative Decline of the United States6. The Dysfunctionality of Domestic Politics: A Form of Absolute Decline7. The Unipolarity Mirage8. Inching Toward the Primus inter Pares Model and the End of Systemic Leadership as We Have Come to Know It?9. The Second Sino-American Rivalry10. The Future of World OrderReferencesIndex