Still Ours to Lead: America, Rising Powers, and the Tension between Rivalry and Restraint

by Bruce Jones

America is debating its role in the world. Critics contend that we are leading from behind in places such as Libya, and not at all in places such as Syria. There are pervasive fears about our lost influence in the international economy and of the threat posed by a rising China. The debate has been shaped by concepts of American decline and Western disunity and the rise of a powerful bloc of emerging powers. The result, it is argued, is that we live in a "post-Western" world, a leaderless world, where conflict and disorder will outpace cooperation and problem solving. In this provocative Brookings FOCUS book, Bruce Jones explains why these are myths or, at the very least, exaggerations.

The United States is still by far the most influential actor in international politics and security, and it does not face a changing world alone --America has myriad allies, including many of the world's top economic and security powers. Together, the United States and its partners still hold the preponderance of power in international politics and economics and will for some time to come. What's more, the rising powers are deeply divided among themselves --in actuality, there is very little mortar among the emergent BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). And some of the emerging powers are actively seeking to strengthen, not weaken, the international order --though of course, they want a greater seat at the table as they do so. Nor is it just these five that are rising: among the ranks of nations whose influence in international politics is increasing are countries such as South Korea and Germany, close U.S. allies both. And while China is clearly going to challenge some aspects of American leadership, there are other places where the United States and China share interests.

This account --which draws on years of insider access to top decisionmakers both in Washington and in the capitals of the rising powers --shows there is more appetite for cooperation than meets the eye. There are risks ahead, to be sure; but in the race between the American-led order and the "coming disorder," it's still ours to lose.

Genres: Politics

263 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 2013

About the author

Jones served as the senior external advisor for the World Bank’s 2011 World Development Report, Conflict, Security and Development, and in March 2010 was appointed by the United Nations secretary-general as a member of the senior advisory group to guide the Review of International Civilian Capacities. He is also consulting professor at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University and professor (by courtesy) at New York University’s department of politics.

Jones holds a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics, and was Hamburg fellow in conflict prevention at Stanford University.

He is co-author with Carlos Pascual and Stephen Stedman of Power and Responsibility: Building International Order in an Era of Transnational Threats (Brookings Press, 2009); co-editor with Shepard Forman and Richard Gowan of Cooperating for Peace and Security (Cambridge University Press, 2009); and author of Peacemaking in Rwanda: The Dynamics of Failures (Lynne Reinner, 2001). Other publications include: Beyond Bloc: The West, Rising Powers and Interest-Based International Cooperation (The Stanley Foundation, October 2011); Libya and the Responsibilities of Power (Survival, June 2011); The G8 and the Threat of Bloc Politics in the International System (May 2011); The Changing Balance of Influence and U.S. Strategy (March 2011); How Do Rising Powers Rise? (Survival, December 2010); and Making Multilateralism Work: How the G-20 Can Help the United Nations (The Stanley Foundation, April 2010). His most recent book, Still Ours to Lead: America, Rising Powers, and the Tension between Rivalry and Restraint, will be released in March 2014.

Jones served as senior advisor in the office of the secretary-general during the U.N. reform effort leading up to the World Summit 2005, and in the same period was acting secretary of the Secretary-General’s Policy Committee. In 2004-2005, he was deputy research director of the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. From 2000-2002 he was special assistant to and acting chief of staff at the office of the U.N. special coordinator for the Middle East peace process.

Reviews

[Scott Haraburda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreads First Reads Giveaway Book.

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Will the United States fall, like other Global Powers, such as Greece, Rome, and England? When, if it will? Still Ours to Lead: America, Rising Powers, and the Tension between Rivalry and Restraint provides us with some interesting thoughts about the future of the United States, countering the talk about its eminent decline and withdrawal from the world.

The book argues that America is currently the most powerful country in the world, having the world's largest economy, which is difficult to depose. Further, many of the emerging powers, such as Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC) can be overcome with a balance between rivalry and restraint. For example, American currently maintains its power through its allies, making it even harder for others to overthrow the alliances.

The author, Bruce Jones, previously served as an advisor for the World Bank and was appointed by the United Nations secretary-general as a member of a senior advisory group. He also consulted to Stanford University the New York University's department of politics. Jones holds a doctorate degree from the London School of Economics. Furthermore, adding to his credentials, Jones is the author of the 2011 book, Restoring the Balance: A Middle East Strategy for the Next President, and 2001 book, Peacemaking In Rwanda: The Dynamics Of Failure.

A very good read. Still Ours to Lead suggests that the United States will continue to be an enduring global power for the near future, as it’s the most influential country in the world. Should be required reading for key government strategy makers.

[Andrew Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best book I've read in the last 12 months on the changing geopolitics of Asia. Of course take that judgement with care, as the judgements of this book are perhaps also the closest to my own. Namely, that while there is a 'rise of the rest, relative decline of the US', the most important factors for understanding the liklihood of war and peace are far more structural.

Most importantly, i've been awaiting a text which engages with the vast imbalance of power towards the US thanks to its alliances and partnerships with more than 90% of the most powerful and significant countries. This one fact seems to me the most ignored yet vital issue. Yet since it has not yet even entered mainstream analysis(except at the most superficial level), it seems even more remote policy discussions.

Taking the Asia-Pacific as a focus, Bruce Jones brings a nice mix of personal insight (from his role as a negotiator on behalf of the us) and enough distance to be critical of recent administrations. He also has a reasonable turn of phrase and ability to weave good metaphors into his text. For example, on the role and importance of allies and partners, Jones compares the West/China debate to a US style electoral college map. Considering solid, leaning and swing states, Jones shows clearly that this is still the West's race to lose. Only western error, not Chinese ingenuity will fundamentally change the current position.

Let's hope more people read this (despite the title being rather misleading, this is not another 'boosterism' book) and begin to think seriously about US policy in Asia. Strongly recommended.

[Phylwil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free advanced reading copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway. As I read this knowledgeable, informative book, I kept wondering "Who is Bruce Jones, the author of the book, that he has been present at these private meetings and heard foreign representatives speak so frankly?" I don't think my question was answered by the details given. Although the author description mentions his experience in peace negotiations, I wanted to know more.

I found this book immensely comforting in a thoughtful, evidence-based way. A multitude of objective facts are supplied as support for the argument that the U.S. is enduring, rather than declining in power and influence. No other country of collection of allied countries challenges the U.S. and its allies militarily or economically and will not present a threat for many years to come.

With the volume of information presented, it was very helpful to have the material frequently organized in the form of lists. Although that sort of organization sounds dry, it provided clarity.

For anyone who wants an intelligent and nonpartisan discussion of international relationships, I whole-heartedly recommend this book.

[Rusty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received this book as a first read and I found that it is quite interesting and contains food for thought. Much has been said about our country losing its stature in the global environment. If one doesn't realize that we live in a small world take a look at this book. The author describes how there is no longer one world leader nor is there likely to be just one. Countries lead in one strength (economic growth) or another (technological development or wealth) and form alliances to rely on others for the strengths they lack (military). Thus, countries band together to help keep peace or solve problems such as economic failures.

There are re-emerging and emerging countries. The former are those countries that were former world leaders but have fallen behind others for various reasons. Emerging countries are those that are dealing with their own problems such as too much poverty, little military strength, or limited diplomatic impact.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very informative book. It is well planned out and contains a lot of information. Unfortunately, it was too dry for me and I just had a hard time reading it. I dreaded picking it up again, attempting to trudge through, and that's when I decided it just wasn't worth it. I didn't finish it.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Haylie Hellman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book as a Goodreads Giveaway and it was great! It was very informative as to the predicament America is in. Bruce Jones did an excellent job of explaining a balanced system of control which America should strive to achieve.