Reasons of State: Oil Politics and the Capacities of American Government

by G. John Ikenberry

In this lucid and theoretically sophisticated book, G. John Ikenberry focuses on the oil price shocks of 1973–74 and 1979, which placed extraordinary new burdens on governments worldwide and particularly on that of the United States. Reasons of State examines the response of the United States to these and other challenges and identifies both the capacities of the American state to deal with rapid international political and economic change and the limitations that constrain national policy.

323 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1988

About the author

Gilford John Ikenberry (October 5, 1954) is a theorist of international relations and United States foreign policy, and a professor of Politics and International Affairs in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.

Reviews

[Elan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid synthesis of energy politics, IPE, and general liberal/institutional IR theory as they bear on questions of state capacity. Also great summary of government strategies in response to the 70s oil crisis.