The ghost at the feast: America and the collapse of world order, 1900-1941

At the dawn of the 20th century, the United States was one of the world’s richest, most populous, and most technologically advanced nations. It was also a nation divided along numerous fault lines, with conflicting aspirations and concerns pulling it in different directions. America’s resulting intervention in World War II marked the beginning of a new era for the United States and for the world. In Robert Kagan’s new book, “The Ghost at the Feast: America and the Collapse of World Order, 1900-1941,” Kagan provides “a comprehensive, sweeping history of America’s rise to global superpower — from the Spanish-American War to World War II.” 

On January 13, the Foreign Policy program at Brookings hosted a discussion with Kagan to analyze both the perils of American withdrawal from the world and the price of international responsibility.

Viewers can submit questions via e-mail to events@brookings.edu or tweet to @BrookingsFP using the hashtag #GhostattheFeast.