An American academic and professor of foreign affairs and humanities, his work delves into international relations, politics, culture, and religion, often exploring their connections to American foreign policy. Mead is recognized for his broad scope and deep analysis, informed by extensive travel and experience. His essays and reviews appear in leading American and international publications, establishing him as an influential commentator on contemporary global issues.
"A groundbreaking work that overturns the conventional understanding of the Israeli-American relationship and, in doing so, explores how fundamental debates about American identity drive our country's foreign policy"-- Provided by publisher
"An illuminating account of the birth, the rise, and the continuing rise, of a global political and economic system that rested first on the power of Britain and rests today on that of the United States--and now faces a new set of formidable challenges"--Provided by publisher.
"God has a special providence for fools, drunks and the United States of America."--Otto von Bismarck. America's response to the September 11 attacks highlighted its longstanding goals: protecting liberty, securing economic interests, spreading democracy, and vanquishing enemies. Walter Russell Mead, a leading foreign policy thinker, argues that these conflicting impulses are key to the U.S.'s global success. He identifies four historical patterns in American foreign policy, each represented by a significant figure. Wilsonians act as moral missionaries, promoting democracy through international institutions like the U.N. Hamiltonians support international engagement to expand markets and the economy. Populist Jacksonians advocate for a strong military, used sparingly but decisively against adversaries. Jeffersonians prioritize domestic liberty and are wary of large military and international initiatives. Mead's work offers a fresh perspective on America's role in the world, moving beyond outdated debates of realists versus idealists and hawks versus doves, to present a nuanced, historically-informed view of American foreign policy.