In Defense of Primacy
Mini Teaser: Contrary to what Christopher Layne said in the last issue, the world is a long way away from seeing the end of U.S. primacy.
While primacy's advantages and costs must be weighed objectively and solemnly, the scholars who are proclaiming that the sky is falling, primacy is doomed and America must retrench have to confront the reality of U.S. power. The world is a long way from seeing the end of American primacy, and it is in America's interest-and the world's-to have it last as long as possible.
Bradley A. Thayer is an associate professor in the Department of Defense and Strategic Studies, Missouri State University (located in Fairfax, VA), and author, with Christopher Layne, of American Empire: A Debate (New York: Routledge, 2006), upon which this article is partly based.
1 Christopher Layne, "Impotent Power?", The National Interest, No. 85 (Sept./Oct. 2006).
2 Barry R. Posen, "Command of the Commons: The Military Foundation of U.S. Hegemony", International Security (Summer 2003).
3 John M. Owen IV, "Democracy, Realistically", The National Interest, No. 83 (Spring 2006).
4 Deepak Lal, In Praise of Empires: Globalization and Order (New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2004).