Democracy in Exile

Democracy in Exile explores how the collapse of the Weimar Republic and the rise of Nazism influenced Hans Speier’s work as an American policymaker and intellectual, highlighting his role within a transatlantic network of émigré experts. The book traces Speier’s shift from university scholar to influential figure at institutions like the RAND Corporation, illustrating his impact on the development of an expert-centered approach to U.S. foreign policy. Through detailed research, the author reveals the European roots of Cold War liberalism and examines the complex relationship between expertise and democracy in mid-twentieth-century America.