Awards

• Winner of BookAuthority's Best US Cold War History Books of All Time.

Overview

A bold argument that tackles current trends, such as rising nationalism, arguing that they strengthen rather than undermine transatlantic ties. Is the West finished as a political idea? In recent years, observers have begun pointing to signs that this transatlantic community is eroding. When the European Union expanded, the classic European nation state was in decline. Now, nationalism is on the rise. Furthermore, nations within the EU are less willing to cooperate with the US on policies that require sacrifice and risks, such as using military force alongside the US. Today, following the twin shocks of Brexit and Trump's election, the concept of a unified Western transatlantic community seems to be a relic. But, in Pax Transatlantica, the international historian Jussi Hanhimäki explains why the West is far from over. Hanhimäki argues that-despite Trump's inflammatory, dismissive rhetoric-NATO continues to provide robust security for its member states. NATO has survived by expanding its remit and scope, and it is viewed favorably by member states overall. Moreover, the transatlantic relationship boasts the richest and most closely connected transcontinental economy in the world. Despite the potential fallout from current trade wars-especially between the US and China-and the rise of economic nationalism, the West still benefits from significant transatlantic trade and massive investment flows. Lastly, Hanhimäki traces the parallel evolution of domestic politics on both sides of the Atlantic, focusing on the rise of populism. He contends that populism is not causing a rift between the US and Europe. Rather, the spread of populism evinces that their politics are in fact closely integrated. Shifts and even crises abound in the history of the transatlantic relationship. Still, the West endures. Conflicts, rather than undermining the relationship, illustrate its resilience. Hanhimäki shows that the transatlantic relationship is playing out this cycle today. Not only will the ""Pax Transatlantica"" continue to exist, Hanhimäki concludes, it is likely to thrive in the future.

Full Product Details

9780190922160

Table of Contents

Reviews

""If you are looking for one book that explains the post-World War II history of transatlantic military, economic, and political relations up to the present day, you need look no further. In this masterful work, Hanhimäki explains the close tiesDLand inevitable conflictsDLthat have and will continue to mark America's relations with its European partners."" -- James Goldgeier, Professor of International Relations, American University ""No one knows more about the transatlantic relationship than Jussi Hanhimäki. This book, published on the heels of a destructive Trump presidency, is a welcome reminder that the community has suffered frequent travails but retains sources of enduring strength."" -- Hal Brands, Professor of Global Affairs, Johns Hopkins-SAIS, and Scholar, American Enterprise Institute ""Pax Transatlantica offers compelling evidence that transatlantic economic, political, and military ties will endure. Hanhimäki shows how recent crises reflect continued interdependence, and he explains why NATO will remain strong in coming years. Everyone interested in American relations with Europe should read this smart, powerful book."" -- Jeremi Suri, Professor of History, University of Texas at Austin and author of The Impossible Presidency ""This spirited, immensely enjoyable book is the smartest commentary on US-European relations in a long time. With wit and insight, Hanhimäki shows how the Pax Transatlantica has created our world and that it's more robust and resilient than we often assume. This book is a tonic for our troubled times."" -- Andrew Preston, Professor of American History, Cambridge University ""In this shrewd volume by one of the most original writers on the transatlantic relationship Hanhimäki explains in crystal clear language why in spite of the various crises it has experienced what he calls Pax Transatlantica continues to form the bedrock upon which the international order rests. A wise, necessary and uplifting book that everybody needs to read in the wake of the wrecking ball called Trump."" -- Michael Cox, Emeritus Professor of International Relations and Founding Director of LSE IDEAS, London School of Economics ""Hanhimäki, one of the leading historians of international relations, has written a refreshingly optimistic book in the midst of the pervasive pessimism and gloom created by the coronavirus pandemic. In extraordinarily concise fashion, he provides rich historical context and perspective to the intricate waysDLpolitically, economically, and in terms of securityDLthe United States and Europe are bound together in what he calls, Pax Transatlantica, a community that embraces both conflict and cooperation, always seeming to be on the verge of crisis and decline, but still persevering and enduring. A brilliant and incisive treatment of one of the most fundamental features of international life in the 21st century."" -- Thomas Schwartz, Professor of History and Political Science, Vanderbilt University, and author of Henry Kissinger and American Power ""Hanhimäki enjoys a unique advantage as an author.ÂHe knows the American and European sides of the transatlantic relationship supremely well, but as a Finnish-Swiss double citizenDLin his words, a 'super-neutral'DLhe also maintains critical distance from both sides. This unique vantage point enables the author to examine today's economic, political, and security issues with a fresh eyeDLshowing how, as he wisely puts it, the transatlantic relationship is 'a great success story that is always on the brink of catastrophe.' Highly recommended for scholars and general readers alike."" -- Mary Elise Sarotte, author of The Collapse ""Hanhimäki has produced a concise, well-argued study of recent transatlantic relations, which exposes the fact that its recent troubles are neither unique nor new. For those seeking a sound overview of the field, they would be hard-put to find something better."" -- Alan Dobson, Professor of Politics, University of Dundee

If you are looking for one book that explains the post-World War II history of transatlantic military, economic, and political relations up to the present day, you need look no further. In this masterful work, Hanhimaki explains the close tiesDLand inevitable conflictsDLthat have and will continue to mark America's relations with its European partners. -- James Goldgeier, Professor of International Relations, American University No one knows more about the transatlantic relationship than Jussi Hanhimaki. This book, published on the heels of a destructive Trump presidency, is a welcome reminder that the community has suffered frequent travails but retains sources of enduring strength. -- Hal Brands, Professor of Global Affairs, Johns Hopkins-SAIS, and Scholar, American Enterprise Institute Pax Transatlantica offers compelling evidence that transatlantic economic, political, and military ties will endure. Hanhimaki shows how recent crises reflect continued interdependence, and he explains why NATO will remain strong in coming years. Everyone interested in American relations with Europe should read this smart, powerful book. -- Jeremi Suri, Professor of History, University of Texas at Austin and author of The Impossible Presidency This spirited, immensely enjoyable book is the smartest commentary on US-European relations in a long time. With wit and insight, Hanhimaki shows how the Pax Transatlantica has created our world and that it's more robust and resilient than we often assume. This book is a tonic for our troubled times. -- Andrew Preston, Professor of American History, Cambridge University In this shrewd volume by one of the most original writers on the transatlantic relationship Hanhimaki explains in crystal clear language why in spite of the various crises it has experienced what he calls Pax Transatlantica continues to form the bedrock upon which the international order rests. A wise, necessary and uplifting book that everybody needs to read in the wake of the wrecking ball called Trump. -- Michael Cox, Emeritus Professor of International Relations and Founding Director of LSE IDEAS, London School of Economics Hanhimaki, one of the leading historians of international relations, has written a refreshingly optimistic book in the midst of the pervasive pessimism and gloom created by the coronavirus pandemic. In extraordinarily concise fashion, he provides rich historical context and perspective to the intricate waysDLpolitically, economically, and in terms of securityDLthe United States and Europe are bound together in what he calls, Pax Transatlantica, a community that embraces both conflict and cooperation, always seeming to be on the verge of crisis and decline, but still persevering and enduring. A brilliant and incisive treatment of one of the most fundamental features of international life in the 21st century. -- Thomas Schwartz, Professor of History and Political Science, Vanderbilt University, and author of Henry Kissinger and American Power Hanhimaki enjoys a unique advantage as an author.AHe knows the American and European sides of the transatlantic relationship supremely well, but as a Finnish-Swiss double citizenDLin his words, a 'super-neutral'DLhe also maintains critical distance from both sides. This unique vantage point enables the author to examine today's economic, political, and security issues with a fresh eyeDLshowing how, as he wisely puts it, the transatlantic relationship is 'a great success story that is always on the brink of catastrophe.' Highly recommended for scholars and general readers alike. -- Mary Elise Sarotte, author of The Collapse Hanhimaki has produced a concise, well-argued study of recent transatlantic relations, which exposes the fact that its recent troubles are neither unique nor new. For those seeking a sound overview of the field, they would be hard-put to find something better. -- Alan Dobson, Professor of Politics, University of Dundee

If you are looking for one book that explains the post-World War II history of transatlantic military, economic, and political relations up to the present day, you need look no further. In this masterful work, Hanhimaki explains the close ties-and inevitable conflicts-that have and will continue to mark America's relations with its European partners. * James Goldgeier, Professor of International Relations, American University * No one knows more about the transatlantic relationship than Jussi Hanhimaki. This book, published on the heels of a destructive Trump presidency, is a welcome reminder that the community has suffered frequent travails but retains sources of enduring strength. * Hal Brands, Professor of Global Affairs, Johns Hopkins-SAIS, and Scholar, American Enterprise Institute * Pax Transatlantica offers compelling evidence that transatlantic economic, political, and military ties will endure. Hanhimaki shows how recent crises reflect continued interdependence, and he explains why NATO will remain strong in coming years. Everyone interested in American relations with Europe should read this smart, powerful book. * Jeremi Suri, Professor of History, University of Texas at Austin and author of The Impossible Presidency * This spirited, immensely enjoyable book is the smartest commentary on US-European relations in a long time. With wit and insight, Hanhimaki shows how the Pax Transatlantica has created our world and that it's more robust and resilient than we often assume. This book is a tonic for our troubled times. * Andrew Preston, Professor of American History, Cambridge University * In this shrewd volume by one of the most original writers on the transatlantic relationship Hanhimaki explains in crystal clear language why in spite of the various crises it has experienced what he calls Pax Transatlantica continues to form the bedrock upon which the international order rests. A wise, necessary and uplifting book that everybody needs to read in the wake of the wrecking ball called Trump. * Michael Cox, Emeritus Professor of International Relations and Founding Director of LSE IDEAS, London School of Economics * Hanhimaki, one of the leading historians of international relations, has written a refreshingly optimistic book in the midst of the pervasive pessimism and gloom created by the coronavirus pandemic. In extraordinarily concise fashion, he provides rich historical context and perspective to the intricate ways-politically, economically, and in terms of security-the United States and Europe are bound together in what he calls, Pax Transatlantica, a community that embraces both conflict and cooperation, always seeming to be on the verge of crisis and decline, but still persevering and enduring. A brilliant and incisive treatment of one of the most fundamental features of international life in the 21st century. * Thomas Schwartz, Professor of History and Political Science, Vanderbilt University, and author of Henry Kissinger and American Power * Hanhimaki enjoys a unique advantage as an author.He knows the American and European sides of the transatlantic relationship supremely well, but as a Finnish-Swiss double citizen-in his words, a 'super-neutral'-he also maintains critical distance from both sides. This unique vantage point enables the author to examine today's economic, political, and security issues with a fresh eye-showing how, as he wisely puts it, the transatlantic relationship is 'a great success story that is always on the brink of catastrophe.' Highly recommended for scholars and general readers alike. * Mary Elise Sarotte, author of The Collapse * Hanhimaki has produced a concise, well-argued study of recent transatlantic relations, which exposes the fact that its recent troubles are neither unique nor new. For those seeking a sound overview of the field, they would be hard-put to find something better. * Alan Dobson, Professor of Politics, University of Dundee *

Author Information

Jussi M. Hanhimäki, Professor of International History and Politics , Graduate Institute, Geneva. Jussi M. Hanhimäki is Professor of International History and Politics at the Graduate Institute, Geneva. His books include The Flawed Architect: Henry Kissinger and American Foreign Policy; United Nations: A Very Short Introduction; and (with Arne Westad) The Cold War: A History in Documents and Eyewitness Accounts. He is the winner of the Bernath Prize by the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations and was selected Finland Distinguished Professor by the Academy of Finland.

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