Press Release

July 30, 2014 | By Cole Hatcher

Ohio Wesleyan Professor’s New Book Explores ‘America’s Search for Security’

DELAWARE, Ohio – In reviewing Ohio Wesleyan University professor Sean Kay’s latest book, international relations scholar John J. Mearsheimer states: “If you want to know why the conduct of U.S. foreign policy has been so consistently flawed in the post-Cold War period, read Sean Kay’s important new book. … One can only hope U.S. policymakers read ‘America’s Search for Security’ and recognize the error of their ways.”

Kay’s book, “America’s Search for Security: The Triumph of Idealism and the Return of Realism,” is available now from Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. In the book, Kay surveys major historical trends in American foreign policy and provides a new context for thinking about America’s rise to power from its founding through the Cold War era.

The book, Kay explains, shows how the United States reached its current position in the world with extensive analysis of major turning points in America’s search for security. It then details the post-Cold War rise of idealist foreign policy goals and the costs of abandoning realist roots, analyzing in-depth the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as examples of what disappointing, if not disastrous, outcomes can befall America abroad when foreign policy objectives are muddied, unclear, and fail to remain grounded in what historically has made America an unquestionable world power.

The book also focuses on America’s recent “pivot” to Asia and on efforts to restore a realist balance abroad and at home in the second Obama administration, concluding with a look at the future of American power in a rapidly evolving world in need of newer, more modernized, and adaptable forms of leadership. These concepts also are applied to ongoing challenges in Russia, Iran, and Syria.

Of the book, prominent historian and foreign policy expert Douglas Brinkley proclaims: “Sean Kay’s ‘America’s Search for Security’ is a deeply insightful, often brilliant, analysis of recent U.S. foreign policymaking. With keen historical insight, Kay tackles everything from the relevancy of NATO, Middle East wars, and the realist vs. human rights debate. His range of intellect is beyond impressive. Highly recommended!”

At Ohio Wesleyan, Kay, Ph.D., has been a member of the Department of Politics and Government since 1999. He currently is chair of the university’s International Studies Program and director of its Arneson Institute for Practical Politics and Public Affairs, which oversees the Wesleyan in Washington internship program.

Kay also is an associate of the Mershon Center for International Security Studies at The Ohio State University and a fellow at the Eisenhower Institute in Washington, D.C. He previously has worked at the Institute for National Strategic Studies in the U.S. Department of Defense. Kay earned his doctorate in international relations from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

He has published widely on American foreign and defense policy and international security issues, and is quoted frequently in major national and international news sources. His previous books include “NATO and the Future of European Security” (Rowman & Littlefield, 1998); “Celtic Revival: The Rise, Fall, and Renewal of Global Ireland” (Rowman & Littlefield, 2011); and “Global Security in the Twenty-first Century: The Quest for Power and the Search for Peace” (Rowman & Littlefield, 2nd edition, 2012).

Kay already has embarked on his next book, which will examine how rock ’n’ roll has advanced major change across America and throughout the world. He has been conducting interviews with multiple members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and a wide range of artists and industry representatives in addition to related foundations advancing humanitarian causes at home and abroad.

Learn more about Sean Kay at https://www.owu.edu/academics/departments-programs/department-of-politics-government/faculty-staff/sean-i-kay/. Read more about his new book, “America’s Search for Security: The Triumph of Idealism and the Return of Realism,” at rowman.com/ISBN/9781442225626.

Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private, coed university offers more than 90 undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations, and competes in 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Ohio Wesleyan combines a challenging, internationally focused curriculum with off-campus learning and leadership opportunities to connect classroom theory with real-world practice. OWU’s 1,850 students represent 42 states and 37 countries. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives,” listed on the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction, and included in the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review “best colleges” lists. Learn more at www.owu.edu.