One Grand Disillusion

Abstract

In the broadest terms, the situation in the international relations theory can be described as a clash between two main schools—realist and liberal. The realists’ leading voices are John Mearsheimer and Kenneth Waltz, while the liberals’ mastermind is John Ikenberry. Richard Hanania’s new book challenges both camps by offering a new vision of how U.S. foreign policy is shaped. Hanania’s main postulate is that, contrary to a widespread popular belief, modern democracy in general and the United States in particular cannot be described in principle as a unitary actor, capable of developing and effecting longterm strategic plans. The gist of Hanania’s book is devoted first and foremost to polemics with what he calls the “illusion of grand strategy.” Hanania argues that in most situations, both the United States and the majority of other democracies are fundamentally incapable of developing and implementing long-term foreign policies. However, Hanania makes a reservation that this observation does not apply to situations where One Grand Disillusion