xi, 290 pages ; 24 cm

"The Peace of Illusions intervenes in the ongoing debate about American grand strategy and the costs and benefits of "American empire." Christopher Layne urges the desirability of a strategy he calls "offshore balancing": rather than wield power to dominate other states, the U.S. government should engage in diplomacy to balance large states against one another. The United States should intervene, Layne asserts, only when another state threatens, regionally or locally, to destroy the established balance." "Drawing on extensive archival research, Layne traces the form and aims of U.S. foreign policy since 1940, examining alternatives foregone and identifying the strategic aims of different administrations. His offshore-balancing notion, if put into practice with the goal of extending the "American Century," would be a sea change in current strategy. Layne has much to say about present-day governmental decision making, which he examines from the perspectives of both international relations theory and American diplomatic history."--Jacket

Includes bibliographical references (pages 207-282) and index

Theory, history, and U.S. grand strategy -- World War II and the foundations of American global hegemony -- U.S. grand strategy and the Soviet Union, 1945-1953 -- The open door and American hegemony in Western Europe -- The containment of Europe : American hegemony and European responses -- Liberal ideology and U.S. grand strategy -- The end of the unipolar era -- The strategy of offshore balancing

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