William R. Thompson is Distinguished Professor and Rogers Chair in Political Science Emeritus at Indiana University, Bloomington. He is also Editor-in-Chief of the Oxford Research Encyclopedia in Politics, a past President of the International Studies Association, and twice Editor-in-Chief of the International Studies Quarterly. Recent books include Racing to the Top, Shocks and Rivalries in the Middle East and North Africa, and Power Concentration in World Politics.

• 1. American Systemic Leadership: Its Unparalleled Rise and Slow Retreat2. System Leadership, Rise and Relative Decline in the Global Political Economy3. The Rise of the U.S. Economy4. The 1920-45 Shift in U.S. Foreign Policy Orientation: Theory, Grand Strategies and System Leader Ascents5. The Relative Decline of the United States6. The Dysfunctionality of Domestic Politics: A Form of Absolute Decline7. The Unipolarity Mirage8. Inching Toward the Primus inter Pares Model and the End of Systemic Leadership as We Have Come to Know It?9. The Second Sino-American Rivalry10. The Future of World OrderReferencesIndex

This volume deals with complex arguments using clear language, fairly crafted propositions, well-designed indicators, and the very insightful long leadership cycle perspective. It brings sharp focus and real life into the increasingly foggy question of US decline." -Robert A. Denemark, Professor of Political Science and International Relations, University of Delaware