Very little data used to substantiate the declarative statements promulgated here.

(Alistair) And now the next book in my non-fiction reading, Fareed Zakaria's The Post-American World - actually a Christmas present from my brother-in-law.

Well, it's a very well-written (albeit short, and in places somewhat overtaken by the events of the economic crisis) and interesting book. I can hardly say that I agree with it entirely, but then, outside the hard sciences, I would deem it very unlikely that any book could be written with which I'd agree entirely. More importantly, he provides you with many interesting things to think about, and I would recommend reading it on that basis.

(For those interested in what I think of the actual politics of the book, I would stipulate that his central thesis, the "rise of the rest", and thus our decline in relative terms as other countries rise, despite maintaining and/or improving our absolute position, is essentially undeniable. Likewise, one can hardly disagree that we need to adapt in many ways - often involving quick and probably painful reform - to function effectively in a world defined by a polyarchy of Great Powers rather than as a singular hegemonic power.

The devil, as ever, is in the details...

...and, for my money, we're heading in the wrong direction.)

( http://weblog.siliconcerebrate.com/ce... ) ( )

I'll refrain from going into a point by point analysis of this book. I think anyone interested in Fareed Zakaria or his writings will know what they're getting into.

Nonetheless, Zakaria does a very commendable job of laying out how this globalized world we now inhabit has and will shape foreign policy, economics, social, and other diplomatic relationships across the globe.
The U.S. will be the most affected by this landscape because countries like China, Russia, Brazil, and Ind...more I'll refrain from going into a point by point analysis of this book. I think anyone interested in Fareed Zakaria or his writings will know what they're getting into.

Nonetheless, Zakaria does a very commendable job of laying out how this globalized world we now inhabit has and will shape foreign policy, economics, social, and other diplomatic relationships across the globe.
The U.S. will be the most affected by this landscape because countries like China, Russia, Brazil, and India (among many others) are taking advantage of globalization, modernity, industrialization, and political failings to become strong players on a global/ international stage.

The real insight in this book comes from Zakaria's intimate knowledge of how the rest of the world perceives the U.S- and what options and strategies are most likely to keep the U.S. a legitimate power in a world where the "rest" are strengthening and becoming more and more relevant.
He writes about India and China in a way that unveils a great appeal for their culture, governments (sometimes), religions, and political philosophies. Some of his anecdotes, stats, and insights actually make the U.S. seem more stagnant, shortsighted, weak, quarrelsome, and at times backwards that I already perceived us to be.

I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in U.S foreign policy, globalized politics, and general foreign relations. It's a great telling of how the next decade will play out, and the pitfalls that await if caution, pragmatism, and multilateralism donn't become the pillars of U.S. foreign policy. ( )

Wonderful book providing insights into global economic giants and ourselves ( )

Amazing book. A must read for anyone who cares about the world ( )