Chronicles the history of American foreign policy and argues that the United States has had a more successful foreign policy than any of the other great powers the nation has faced.

"A Century Foundation book"--Title page verso.

Foreword / Richard C. Leone -- The American foreign policy tradition -- The kaleidoscope of American foreign policy -- Changing the paradigms -- The serpent and the dove : the Hamiltonian way -- The Connecticut Yankee in the court of King Arthur : Wilsonianism and its mission -- "Vindicator only of her own": the Jeffersonian tradition -- Tiger, tiger, burning bright : the school of Andrew Jackson -- The rise and retreat of the new world order -- The future of American foreign policy.