Kryachkov 2!indd

158
Д. А. Крячков
UNIT V
Wohlforth’s argument: if they perceive that the United States is in decline, rising powers such as 
China need to wait only a decade or two to reshape the international system themselves. More-
over, because of the perception that its hard power is declining, and the hit its soft power has 
taken as a result of the financial and economic meltdown, there is a real question about whether 
the United States retains the credibility and legitimacy to take the lead in institutional reform. 
World Out of Balance is a major contribution to both the scholarly and policy debates. But its 
main argument about the durability of American hegemony has a dated feel, and Brooks and 
Wohlforth are outliers on the question of US relative decline. During the next 20 years, we will 
find out if they are right or, as others (Layne 2006c; Pape 2009) have argued, the United States has 
passed the apogee of its power. From a grand strategic standpoint, a lot rides on whether — as 
Brooks and Wohlforth claim — the United States can successfully prolong its hegemony or inter-
national politics is reverting to multipolarity.
A. General
1. 
Analyze the organization of this review. Identify the intro, the body and the conclusion. Note 
how (and where) the reviewer introduces the subject matter, the book under review and the 
authors’ arguments. Pay attention to how the reviewer weaves into his writing various re-
searchers’ ideas.
2. What is the main function of para. 1? How is it different from the review in the previous unit? 
Which do you consider to be a more effective hook for the reader? Why? 
3. Comment on the overall tone of the review. Is it rather positive and balanced/ calming/ unre-
lentingly grim and depressing/ pretentious /critical /one of cautious criticism?
B. Language
1. 
Note how the reviewer characterizes the book under review in para. 2 (line 14). Choose one