International Economic Structures and American Foreign Policy, 1887-1934

Abstract:     
American foreign economic policy between 1887 and 1934 was shaped in important ways by the international economic structure and the position of the United States as a "supporter" within it. As Britain's hegemony declined, and particularly after it joined the United States as a supporter just prior to World War I, American foreign economic policy became more liberal and active. Once Britain was transformed from a supporter into a spoiler in the late 1920s, leaving the United States as the sole supporter within the IES, both the international economy and American policy became more unstable and protectionist. During the 1970s, the United States, West Germany, and France all emerged as supporters within the IES, indicating that a moderately stable and liberal international economy may continue to exist in the future.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 27

Keywords: international trade, hegemony, international cooperation, foreign economic policy

JEL Classification: F11, F14, F15, F43

Accepted Paper Series