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The Frugal Superpower: America's Global Leadership in a Cash-Strapped Era Paperback – August 9, 2011

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Michael Mandelbaum (Author)
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3.7 out of 5 stars 17 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: PublicAffairs (August 9, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1610390547
  • ISBN-13: 978-1610390545
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #408,135 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Top Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsAmerica's decline is beyond entitlement overstretch
By Hussain Abdul-Hussain on December 22, 2010
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
The Frugal Superpower argues that because of an "entitlement overstretch," America will not be able to conduct a foreign policy with unlimited funds, like in the past. Instead, the United States will have to become more selective in its overseas operations.

In this easy-to-read entertaining book of political economy, Mandelbaum skillfully sketches the most probable scenario, post-American superpower. Before doing so, he traces the modern history of the American power.
Mandelbaum argues that the Cold War forced America to construct a network with world reach to counter Soviet power. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, the US did not scale back its power and rather maintained its expensive and powerful reach.

The author also argues that the globally unmatched American excess power might have lured America's presidents, Clinton and Bush, and made them commit foreign policy errors. He writes that after the Cold War, America fought more wars than it had during the Cold War. While the last of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq showed America's unmatched military superiority, these two wars - coupled with incompetent post war planning and occupation - are still taking their toll on the nation's finances and world standing.

Mandelbaum writes about an inevitable American spending overstretch that will force Washington to make hard choices. To meet the expenses of the entitlements of its aging and retiring population, the United States will most probably cut expenditures in other areas, mainly overseas.

While America's inevitable economic hardships are a valid point, Mandelbaum's reasons might not be enough to explain them. True the "entitlement overstretch" will burden the US economy.Read more ›
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2.0 out of 5 starsSimplistic
By Robert S Rosemurgy on November 17, 2010
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
The economic and military power of the United States will diminish due to less consumption of market products and less available spending, primarily because of other demands, like Medicare, Social Security and other priorities. To the author, this is not a good result. He argues that the US properly acted as the world's policeman since the end of WWII, but that it can no longer afford to do so. He states, in general terms, that the US did so out of the best and most altruistic of motives, and generally ignores the covert activities of the CIA and US in Central and South America and elsewhere, as well as Vietnam and other major involvements that involved one consideration, the perceived interest of the US. There is no reference to the possibility that being unable to undertake the long wars of Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan will be beneficial to both the US and the world. There is no explanation of why Japan, South Korea, Germany, Spain and other countries can not maintain their own defense and protect their own interests. He suggests that the world will miss our dominance and provision of "governance to the rest of the world." The "blunder" of Iraq was the execution of our occupation, not the "preventative" invasion itself. He is critical of the growing intolerance for state building, such as in Afghanistan. His analogy to the Peltzman Effect is bizarre. He notes a lesser US may require more cooperation among allies, presumably missing the unilateralism W used for Iraq. His strongest point is that the US could stabilize the Middle East by non-military action, simply by raising its fuel tax to reduce consumption. This, he argues, would reduce the power of Iran and help stabilize the area. Imagine, the US can still lead and influence matters by diplomacy and other non-military actions.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsTimely & Insightful - A Critically Importent Analysis
By Geopolitico on December 23, 2010
Format: Audible Audio Edition
This is an outstanding work of the first order that is both vitally insightful and very timely. Michael Mandelbaum's unique abilities include tying together multiple relevant factors and providing the reader with a wonderfully clear explanation of how our situation developed and, more importantly, what it means for all of us now and in the future.

The unpredictable volatility that permeates the world economy and the related geopolitical situation are less frightening once you have followed Michael Mandelbaum through his history of our current predicament and our choices going forward.

This fascinating book is a both a joy to read and to contemplate. The author has range and depth that permeates the variety of levels evident in this fine work. While certain observations might strike some as self-evident, they are analogous to the Newton's observations on gravity which where clear only once a great mind had provided the basis for understanding. By providing us with that understanding, Professor Mandelbaum gives the reader the basis to study and consider critical questions for our time.

The intellectual rigor that Dr. Mandelbaum displays in his timely and insightful work is without parallel. Surprisingly for a work of such force, it should be highly readable and easily approachable for a range of individuals. Having read the book, I am now acquiring the audio version so I can hear Dr. Mandelbaum's cogent analysis again.
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5.0 out of 5 starsA Wise Book
By Allis Radosh on August 11, 2010
Format: Hardcover
Once I started reading The Frugal Superpower, I couldn't put it down. Written simply and elegantly, Michael Mandelbaum takes on the crucial question-what will America's role in the world be in an era of diminishing resources? It portends to be a more dangerous world and all of our "friends" may be less than happy when they don't have America to complain about. They may even have to pay for their own defense! The author has some interesting solutions. Anyone interested in the future of the world as we know it should definitely read this book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 starsYeah, not bad

This is a farily short book, which I can summarise in a few sentences. The main premise is that America will remain number one because it has people and wealth. Read more

Published on January 29, 2013 by Nicholas Peter Evans
4.0 out of 5 starsTwo years and how much has changed

Dr. Mandelbaum examines the U.S. role in foreign affairs after the financial crisis of 2008. He clearly outlines that the effect of the aging U.S. Read more

Published on September 16, 2012 by fitzalling
2.0 out of 5 starsI was disappointed

This is a long essay to convince us we need to have high gas prices in order to solve our economic woes. Read more

Published on October 12, 2011 by D. HILL
5.0 out of 5 starsMy Favorite Historian

The "Frugal Superpower" (published in 2010) complements Mr. Mandelbaum's other books in excellent ways. Read more

Published on August 15, 2011 by David Shores
5.0 out of 5 starsBest ever

this is the best non-fiction book I have ever read. Everyone who cares about the future of geo-economics and/or geopolitics needs to read this!

Published on February 21, 2011 by BFL
2.0 out of 5 starsimperialistic blather

The author, in spite of reaalizing that the US cannot continue to waste billions, if not trillions, on its imperial ventures, still is foolish enough to think a super powerful USA... Read more

Published on January 16, 2011 by Diatonic
2.0 out of 5 starsI Can't Wait!

The author is concerned that U.S. foreign policy will be increasingly defined by debt and deficits. I read that more hopefully as 'increasingly defined by common sense,' and no... Read more

Published on January 9, 2011 by Loyd Eskildson
5.0 out of 5 starsEssential reading for 21st Century geopoliticians!

THE FRUGAL SUPERPOWER is essential reading for 21st Century geopolioticians. With each passing month, America's fiscal situation becomes more perilous. Read more

Published on December 4, 2010 by Lynda Gardner
2.0 out of 5 starsNot an academic work

Let's be clear. This is not an academic work backed by research. There are no footnotes. No tables. No graphs of any kind. Numbers seem to be quoted out of thin air. Read more

Published on November 18, 2010 by Stan L
5.0 out of 5 starsEasy to read and then stays with your thoughts long after

Michael Mandelbaum has really done it this time! He has taken complex and puzzling ideas and set forth a mere 194-page essay that makes these things simple to understand and... Read more

Published on November 1, 2010 by Afia

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