# How Superpowers See the World (with Christopher Fettweis) **URL:** **By** Trevor Burrus, Aaron Ross Powell **Published:** September 14, 2018 --- Is the United States the most fearful country in the world? Chris Fettweis joins us this week to discuss his book _Psychology of a Superpower: Security and Dominance in U.S. Foreign Policy._ Fettweis argues that as a country, Americans, tend to be so fearful of our perceived enemies that we are willing to spend much more on national security measures than is neccessary. Ultimately, we may end up doing more harm than good. What is unipolarity? Is the United States the most fearful country in the world? Do we spend more money on national security because of that fear? Is the world safer than it was during the Cold War? If so, why do people have nostalgia for the Cold War? What is the "enemy image" problem and do we need an enemy in order to continue interactions abroad? Does everyone value human life in the same way? ## Further Reading: [_Psychology of a Superpower: Security and Dominance in U.S. Foreign Policy_](https://cup.columbia.edu/book/psychology-of-a-superpower/9780231187718) , written by Chris Fettweis Christopher J. Fettweis on his book _Psychology of a Superpower_, Cato [Audio](https://www.cato.org/multimedia/cato-audio/christopher-j-fettweis-book-psychology-superpower) [_Losing Hurts Twice as Bad: The Four Stages to Moving Beyond Iraq_](https://www.amazon.com/Losing-Hurts-Twice-Bad-Stages/dp/0393067610) , written by Christopher Fettweis ## Related Content: [When is it appropriate to go to war?](https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/free-thoughts/when-is-it-appropriate-to-go-to-war), Free Thoughts Episode [How much should we worry about ISIS?](https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/free-thoughts/how-much-should-we-worry-about-isis), Free Thoughts Episode [Three Arguments against War](https://www.libertarianism.org/columns/three-arguments-against-war), written by Jason Kuznicki