In the incisive and thought-provoking "Public Choice Theory and the Illusion of Grand Strategy," Richard Hanania challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding American foreign policy with a piercing analysis rooted in public choice theory. Hanania meticulously dismantles the notion that US foreign policy is the product of carefully crafted grand strategy, positing instead that it is the outcome of political pressures and the influence of concentrated interests. Through a compelling examination, Hanania identifies government contractors, the national security bureaucracy, and foreign governments as the primary architects behind the incentive structures that guide the president and top officials. His argument illuminates the complex interplay between these groups and American leadership, offering a fresh perspective on pivotal aspects of foreign policy, from the war on terror to relations with China and the deployment of US forces globally. Hanania's work is a critical discourse on the mechanisms of power and influence in American foreign policy, arguing that leaders are more often selected for their responsiveness to public opinion rather than their capacity for strategic foresight. He delves into the malleability of mass attitudes towards foreign affairs, emphasizing the role of ignorance, secrecy, and complexity in shaping public perception and, by extension, policy. "Public Choice Theory and the Illusion of Grand Strategy" is an essential read for those seeking to understand the real forces at play in the formulation of American foreign policy. It challenges readers to reconsider the foundations of global governance and the dynamics of American power on the world stage, making it a significant contribution to the fields of American Studies, Foreign Policy Analysis, and Global Governance.