The Effect of the History of International Relations on the International Order Case Study: History of the US (1929-2023)

Abstract

Studying the history of international relations is of major importance, not only for knowledge but also for lessons. Although the concept of history's cyclical nature is not new, people continue to make the same errors, adopt the same beliefs, and interact with their environments in the same way as they did in the past. The primary question this study seeks to address is why it is crucial to learn from history, as well as how to learn from it. This research uses the theory of the generation to provide analysis for decision-makers to look at history more closely, yet with a cyclical scope, in order to foresee future crises and offers remedies for those that are already occurring. The generations theory by Strauss and Howe suggests that history can be divided into cycles of one hundred years, and each cycle can be divided into four turnings each with specific characteristics. The four turnings are High, Awakening, Unraveling, and Crisis. The case study for this paper is the US (1929-2023). By the end of this research, the readers should have passed through this whole cycle and concluded that history has a repetitive nature and can be used to explain historical events. The US is one of the world’s most powerful countries in all fields, but it was the only superpower, this paper will present also the cycle of rising and decline of the US influence.