Hilde E. Restad is an Associate Professor of International Studies at Oslo Nye University College. Hilde’s research interests cover American politics, U.S. foreign policy, American history and international relations. Her dissertation was on the concept of American exceptionalism understood as an identity, and its effect on history U.S. foreign policy traditions. This was further developed in her first book, American Exceptionalism: An Idea that Made a Nation and Remade the World. Her new book, "The American Paradox" explains the U.S political system through history.