Hegemonic War and Grand Strategy: Ludwig Dehio, World History, and the American Future

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Ludwig Dehio advances a theory of the historical dynamic of the modern European state system (14941945) and its hegemonic wars. After explaining Dehio's thoughts about why none of the European Powers were successful in their attempts to conquer the Continent, the text analyzes bids for hegemony in the historical Hellenic, Hellenistic, Roman, Renaissance Italian, modern European, and western hemispheric state systems. The purpose of these analyses is to demonstrate how Dehio's thought illuminates the dynamics of hegemonic conflicts. Additionally, in these chapters we note how prior hegemonic struggles illuminate some of the dilemmas of contemporary American grand strategy. The manuscript then considers how Dehio's thoughts on hegemony enrich our understanding of contemporary challenges, such as the struggles for power in the Middle East and East Asia, the rise of China and its Western Hemispheric ambitions, and American grand strategic options. The text concludes by arguing that Dehio's thought suggests that particular grand strategies will partially determine the global systems movement towards destructive bids for hegemony, or a viable plural order.

Reviews

Without the Soviet Union, the Cold Wars bipolar formula no longer can reliably serve to define and structure a global state system. Aaron M. Zack is to be congratulated for the instinct that has led him to turn for inspiration to the German historian, Ludwig Dehio. Zack shows himself fully conscious of the richness and complexity of Dehios writing. The broad sweep of Dehios historical knowledge and the boldness of his speculation summon the imagination of todays theorists to rise to the challenges of a world without stable hegemonies. We can hope that Zacks insights are understood and appreciated. -- David P. Calleo, Johns Hopkins University
Aaron M. Zacks impressive study takes us through a very long historical journey of international politics via the lens of an underappreciated yet provocative German thinker, Ludwig Dehio. Through Dehios fascinating theories of balance of power and hegemonic conflict, Zack brings to light important patterns in the evolution of state systems. From his historical laboratory, Zack moves on to tracing insights from these lessons of the past to glean important insights into present day American foreign policy and grand strategy. Like Dehio himself, Zacks work occupies a very impressive intersection between theory and history which deserves both attention and great acclaim. -- Giulio Gallarotti, Wesleyan University

Author Bio

Aaron M. Zack teaches political science at Baruch College, CUNY.