EBOOK
Polarization and International Politics
How Extreme Partisanship Threatens Global Stability
Rachel MyrickSeries: Princeton Studies in International History and Politics(0)
About
How extreme polarization undermines the advantages that democracies have when formulating foreign policy
Polarization is a defining feature of politics in the United States and many other democracies. Yet although there is much research focusing on the effects of polarization on domestic politics, little is known about how polarization influences international cooperation and conflict. Democracies are thought to have advantages over nondemocratic nations in international relations, including the ability to keep foreign policy stable across time, credibly signal information to adversaries, and maintain commitments to allies. Does domestic polarization affect these "democratic advantages"? In this timely book, Rachel Myrick argues that polarization reshapes the nature of constraints on democratic leaders, which in turn erodes the advantages democracies have in foreign affairs.
Drawing on a range of evidence, including cross-national analyses, observational and experimental public opinion research, descriptive data on the behavior of politicians, and interviews with policymakers, Myrick develops metrics that explain the effect of extreme polarization on international politics and traces the pathways by which polarization undermines each of the democratic advantages. Turning to the case of contemporary US foreign policy, Myrick shows that as its political leaders become less responsive to the public and less accountable to political opposition, the United States loses both reliability as an ally and credibility as an adversary. Myrick's account links the effects of polarization on democratic governance to theories of international relations, integrating work across the fields of international relations, comparative politics, and American politics to explore how patterns of domestic polarization shape the international system. Rachel Myrick is the Douglas and Ellen Lowey Assistant Professor of Political Science at Duke University. "In a masterful book blending clarity with scholarly rigor, Myrick marshals a dizzying array of evidence to reveal the critical ways partisan polarization undercuts longstanding advantages in American foreign policy. An enormously impressive scholarly achievement, and indispensable reading for scholars and policymakers alike."-Joshua D. Kertzer, Harvard University
"Through a variety of evidence and careful consideration of causal mechanisms, Myrick demonstrates that the effects of partisan polarization do not stop at the water's edge; polarization at home affects the ability of a country to deter enemies and work effectively with partners. It is an agenda-setting book."-Brett Ashley Leeds, author of Domestic Interests, Democracy, and Foreign Policy Change
"This book makes a major contribution to international relations scholarship. It addresses a vitally important and pressing question, it is well-argued, well-supported, and well-written, and it upends what we know about democracies and IR."-Elizabeth N. Saunders, Columbia University "Winner of the Best Book Award, Conflict Processes Section of the American Political Science Association" "Myrick marshals an impressive array of empirical data to document patterns of extreme polarization within democracies and its impact on international relations. She makes clear that as long as deep divisions persist in the United States, the country's foreign policy will suffer."---G. John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs
Polarization is a defining feature of politics in the United States and many other democracies. Yet although there is much research focusing on the effects of polarization on domestic politics, little is known about how polarization influences international cooperation and conflict. Democracies are thought to have advantages over nondemocratic nations in international relations, including the ability to keep foreign policy stable across time, credibly signal information to adversaries, and maintain commitments to allies. Does domestic polarization affect these "democratic advantages"? In this timely book, Rachel Myrick argues that polarization reshapes the nature of constraints on democratic leaders, which in turn erodes the advantages democracies have in foreign affairs.
Drawing on a range of evidence, including cross-national analyses, observational and experimental public opinion research, descriptive data on the behavior of politicians, and interviews with policymakers, Myrick develops metrics that explain the effect of extreme polarization on international politics and traces the pathways by which polarization undermines each of the democratic advantages. Turning to the case of contemporary US foreign policy, Myrick shows that as its political leaders become less responsive to the public and less accountable to political opposition, the United States loses both reliability as an ally and credibility as an adversary. Myrick's account links the effects of polarization on democratic governance to theories of international relations, integrating work across the fields of international relations, comparative politics, and American politics to explore how patterns of domestic polarization shape the international system. Rachel Myrick is the Douglas and Ellen Lowey Assistant Professor of Political Science at Duke University. "In a masterful book blending clarity with scholarly rigor, Myrick marshals a dizzying array of evidence to reveal the critical ways partisan polarization undercuts longstanding advantages in American foreign policy. An enormously impressive scholarly achievement, and indispensable reading for scholars and policymakers alike."-Joshua D. Kertzer, Harvard University
"Through a variety of evidence and careful consideration of causal mechanisms, Myrick demonstrates that the effects of partisan polarization do not stop at the water's edge; polarization at home affects the ability of a country to deter enemies and work effectively with partners. It is an agenda-setting book."-Brett Ashley Leeds, author of Domestic Interests, Democracy, and Foreign Policy Change
"This book makes a major contribution to international relations scholarship. It addresses a vitally important and pressing question, it is well-argued, well-supported, and well-written, and it upends what we know about democracies and IR."-Elizabeth N. Saunders, Columbia University "Winner of the Best Book Award, Conflict Processes Section of the American Political Science Association" "Myrick marshals an impressive array of empirical data to document patterns of extreme polarization within democracies and its impact on international relations. She makes clear that as long as deep divisions persist in the United States, the country's foreign policy will suffer."---G. John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs