The Great Delusion: America and the Liberal International Order

Since the end of the Cold War the United States has sought to remake the world in its own image. To this end successive administrations have promoted the concept of liberal hegemony, based around the principles of democracy, human rights, free trade, and multilateralism. But preserving this global order has been costly, leading the US into war or to act in ways that run counter to its values. And as the election of President Trump has shown, sections of the American public have begun to grow weary of this approach. Is liberal hegemony doomed to fail and, if so, what objectives should drive US foreign policymaking?

Speakers:

John J. Mearsheimer, R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science, University of Chicago

Moderated by Jerome McDonnell, Host, Worldview, WBEZ