This book investigates how the institutional architecture of the liberal international order constrains and directs the foreign policy decisions of the United States. Michael Poznansky, an expert in international security and political science, utilizes historical case studies and institutional analysis to argue that these international frameworks are not merely passive backdrops but active forces that shape American strategic behavior. By examining the tension between national interest and global commitments, the author provides a framework for understanding why the United States often adheres to international norms even when they appear to conflict with immediate geopolitical goals.

Experts in the field of international relations identify this work as a rigorous examination of the structural limitations placed on global superpowers. Scholars frequently note the academic density of the prose, making it a valuable resource for students and practitioners of political science.