The Future of Freedom: In Defense of a Liberal Education. Related Video Shorts 0 Upload your video. Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a customer review. There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. One of the rare books I read twice Yes it's that enlightening. What a fantastic reed, one gain good knowledge, insight and understanding of the emerging markets and where America finds itself at the moment.
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At the time of publication author Fareed Zakaria was a year-old married man living in New York City and working as an editor for Newsweek International. Zakaria had immigrated to the United States from India during his university career. He graduated from Harvard University with a Ph. He worked as the managing editor of Foreign Affairs magazine before accepting the editor position at Newsweek. Labeled a liberal hawk , [1] Zakaria's political views have shifted from supporting Reagan's pro-democracy agenda to Clinton's pro-market stances and to the point where Zakaria felt that the US was "unstoppable".
Meanwhile, he watched the US get bogged down in war in Iraq. In , his book The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad , in which he examines the necessary conditions for liberal democracy to survive, was published. While he initially supported US intervention in Iraq, Zakaria criticized the Bush Administration's methods of nation-building and for trying to force Iraq into a liberal democracy without the preconditions of economic liberalisation and rule-of-law.
The content is divided into seven chapters. The first chapter introduces the thesis of the book: He believes that there have been three power shifts in the last years: Zakaria believes that international organizations are not adapting well to emerging challenges and that there is too much focus on problems arising from potential market failures or general crises e. The second and third chapters examine factors that led to the current power balance.
Power shifted to the West because it fostered trade with foreign peoples and developed superior labor productivity per capita. Power shifted to the US because of its strong democracy and capitalist market.
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Zakaria argues that the success of the US in promoting free market capitalism and globalization has led to power being dispersed to several other countries. Economies have been surging for decades, in part due to large new players entering the global market place. He compares this era's economic growth to the economic surges of the s and the s which also saw new players become global powers. At the same time, Zakaria sees attitudes in the US becoming insular and distrustful of foreigners.
The fourth chapter focuses on China. Its strategy of small, gradual reforms have allowed it to quietly modernize. It has become the second most powerful nation, but still unlikely to match the US for decades to come. China's strengths include a philosophy that reflects Confucian ideals of practicality, ethics and rationalism. Its non-combative foreign policy is more appealing, most notably in Africa , over interventionist Western-style policy that demands reforms in other countries. China's weakness, though, is a fear of social unrest. The fifth chapter focuses on India.
He delivers a broad look at what is happening outside of the western sphere of influance that makes me want to learn more, specifically about China and India and the political climate of today. I don't think this is an anti-American work. I think it's done with an attitude of enlightenment for the I am always a little hesitant to read books about current political events because they are so easily partisan.
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I think it's done with an attitude of enlightenment for the reader. It does raise a lot of key points about the rise of the rest of the world to more western living standards and incomes. And really, at the end of the day, that will be what determines the wars and confrontations of the future. Apr 25, Channon rated it did not like it. Thought I'd like this more than I did. Have to admit that it is not my favorite book. I'm no cheerleader for globalization or US market capitalism but I am even less a fan of attempting to manipulate the world into a homogeneous global market with "western" values which I felt a strong undercurrent of throughout the book -- particularly the first half.
Zakaria asserts that Western economics, religion and culture have been dominant forces for over half a millennium. He argues that while the West Thought I'd like this more than I did. He argues that while the West grew and expanded, the rest of the world lay dormant. Through open market capitalism and globalization, the rest has awaken. With more capital, more human labor and more social and political comfort the sleeping giants of the East have awaken to challenge Western supremacy. This does not mean, however, that the US will be relegated to the sidelines of the international world.
Zakaria argues that because the US is such a great and exceptional power, it can use its current status to negotiate a new position of power for itself in this new world order. He creates a position of status and privilege for the West as an exceptional power that he returns to throughout the book. It has become commonplace to say that actually China and India were as rich as the West right up until the s. The dominance of the West, according to this perspective, has been a year blip, and we are now returning to a more normal balance.
This view, which embraces a multicultural sensibility that denies any special status to the West, has its political advantages. But while it may be politically correct, it is historically incorrect Zakaria, Zakaria continues to explain away why the West was richer during the 18th and 19th century by clarifying the differences between GDP and GDP per capita but he fails to address the reality and atrocities of colonialism. His entire discussion of Westernization and modernization glosses over the brutality and coercion that are inherently intertwined with these processes.
He continues to dance around issues of colonialism and oppressing when he cites a letter from an Indian citizen in Calcutta imploring the British to teach English rather than Sanskrit to the people. The rationale behind mentioning this letter is to argue that while people of the East and South may have been subjected to colonial and imperial subjugation — some of them embraced Westernization.
This argument is a bit of a logical fallacy, similar to the argument that black Africans sold each other into the Atlantic slave trade. It is meant to divert attention from the centuries of systematic oppression and brutality.
Through his silence on the practices and implementation of modernization and Westernization Zakaria seems to be suggesting that the ends of this process justify the means. Nov 27, Honor rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: First, as a good faith disclaimer, let me say that I tend to love this kind of book. Any book that provides a cup running over with information and data is sure to win my heart early on, and as editor of international editions of Newsweek, Mr.
Fareed Zakaria certainly has access to the kind of fact-feed and data sources that make me go all warm and mushy inside And he shares nicely. But, as other nations follow our lead and rise to their own model of capability and prosperity, our position relative to them will level somewhat. In this book, Mr. Zakaria touches on the relevant history of our current socio-political situation and then addresses some of the finer points of the history, culture, influences, and policies that will shape the actions of other nations such as China and India.
In truth, one wouldn't be far off base to say this book is at least in large part -about- China and India, but anyone who can look at the current world situation and not see why that's appropriate and relevant probably isn't paying attention. This book isn't about the doom and gloom of no longer being the sole world super-power, it's about how others are advancing, the directions they are likely to take, those areas where we still have a substantial lead, and how we can best maintain and develop them. If you're the kind of person who enjoys knowing a bit more about what's going on, and what's going on behind that, than you are likely to get out of the daily news papers or broadcasts, you should read this book.
You'll learn from it and enjoy it. If you're the kind of person who is frequently looked to by friends for a little more depth and insight on national and international policy events, it's probably already on your reading list If not, it should be. Jun 12, Tripp rated it really liked it.
Fareed Zakaria's new book, the Post-American World is a book I hope both presidential candidates read. It is a brief book that tells Americans we need to re-think our view of the world. We need to jettison the idea of the world's policeman and hyperpower and replace it with the world's trusted third party. In this his says we need to be less Britain than Bismarck, which I rather like. We need to de-emphasize military power and re-consider economic competitiveness. We need to spend less time worr Fareed Zakaria's new book, the Post-American World is a book I hope both presidential candidates read.
We need to spend less time worrying about Iranian nuclear weapons and more about how to work with India and China. It is the briefness that will irritate the foreign policy specialist readership and attract the casual but interested reader. Unlike other international relations big think books, this one does not provide a vigorous examination of the global system.
It also does not provide much in the way of policy guidelines, aside from a shift in resources away from primacy and towards a focus on domestic policy. For those who are looking for help in trying to understand how the world works today and the US can best deal with it, the book will be of great value. Zakaria provides a high level overview saying the superpower era is over, and is being replaced by a multipolar world and one for the first time with non-European powers as the majority of leaders.
He surveys China and India and then describes the US's fit in the new world. Like a number of useful books, this one will have you wanting to read more, about how the US can change its ways and more about modern China and India. This would be a good starting point for the dispirited American wondering where how we should start over after eight less than ideal years. May 07, Matt rated it it was ok Shelves: I have a lot to say about this book but I don't have the time at the moment Here's The New Republic, pretty much saying what I have to say about the book, if not the other works I've read columns, interviews, etc: He is a barometer in a good suit, a creature of establishment consensus, an exemplary spokesman for the Hmmm.
The Post-American World
He is a barometer in a good suit, a creature of establishment consensus, an exemplary spokesman for the always-evolving middle. On his CNN show, he ingratiates himself to his high-powered guests. This mix of elitism and banality is unattractive. And so is this: View all 5 comments.
Aug 14, Kathryn Bashaar rated it it was amazing. I loved this book. The title makes it sound like it's going to be depressing, but it is actually very hopeful about America's future role in the world. Zakaria is one of the most sensible voices around in my opinion and, could he BE any handsomer!? He talks about how we are going to have to get past the ugly partisanship of the past 30 years or so, get our economic house in order and take a more multilateral approach in foreign relations.
Admittedly, those are hard things, but not impossi I loved this book. Admittedly, those are hard things, but not impossible and Zakaria emphasizes that, number one, our basic economy is still very strong, number two, we basically won and the whole world with the exception of the middle east is trying to adopt our way of life and, number three, we have the most powerful ideals, still attractive to people all over the world. He writes beautifully about America drawing smart, ambitious people from all over the world and how much of our strength and dynamism is attributable to that.
If we aren't terrified, terrorism doesn't work. I just loved, loved, loved this book and I think every single American should read it and take it to heart. May 15, Ahmed Abdelhamid rated it really liked it. Reading about the "Post American World" I could have expected more about what is "next" but the book mostly plots the projections of the past China and India mainly As if the "post american world" is a question to be answered afterwards The book gives a very good analysis for the Chinese and Indian cases with projections of the transformations hitting the american society during the last decade At the end he concludes to 6 recommendations to get through Again no deep analysis in these, just more like a "personal" feeling or so.
Dec 01, Satyaki Mitra rated it really liked it Shelves: Zakaria provides convincing reasons as to how America can still change it's outlook take the role of a moderator in international politics and, instead of projecting it's imperial designs which only gives rise to negative perceptions and feeling of Anti-Americanism in other nations, play a much more constructive and mediating role in being a part of this globally integrated world. I would definitely recommend this book especially for readers interested in foreign policy.
Jun 10, Alex Telander rated it really liked it Shelves: Fareed Zakaria, author of The Future of Freedom , and editor for Newsweek International, offers up a sobering yet fascinating look at the possible future of the United States and its stake as the global superpower in the first half of the twenty-first century.
The Post-American World - Wikipedia
The Post-American World is part business, part political, part historical, and part sociological; as Zakaria analyses how the United States has arrived at the state it is in internationally, and what the future holds for the two global giants of India and China on the horizon. Zakaria begins by discussing how the United States — as well as its citizens — has continued to perceive itself, from the end of the Cold War to the present, as the sole global superpower and utopian democratic and capitalist nation by which the rest of the world should admire it and follow suit.
This is all too clear with the globalization of numerous American companies such as the McDonalds and Starbucks franchises, which can now be found almost anywhere in the world, on every continent except Antarctica. But in that time, the United States has lost uncountable jobs, manufacturing industries, and development institutions to other countries, which is now causing serious problems with unemployment and the cost of goods and services to the nation and its citizens. But along the way, they might write, it forgot to globalize itself.
And it is not until the United States fully comprehends this, that things will begin turning around and improving. With the United States left in the wake of globalization, Zakaria turns the reader to the next two giants that will become the next so-called superpowers due to the variety and number of industries already situated within their borders, as well as the exploding workforce that is available at a much cheaper rate than the Western World.
Zakaria spends most of the book, with specific chapters each on India and China, giving their history and development over the centuries and how it is that they now stand at this brink to become the next superpowers. He also offers sobering statistics in a world that is becoming more environmentally inclined: In the last chapter, Zakaria addresses what the United States needs to do to become the once great shining nation it was.
It is fear that has created a climate of paranoia and panic in the United States and fear that has enabled our strategic missteps. It should be a place that is as inviting and exciting to the young student who enters the country today as it was for this awkward eighteen-year-old a generation ago. Sep 30, Book rated it really liked it Shelves: The author makes compelling arguments that it is the "rise of the rest" and not America's decline at the heart of this global era.
This page book is composed of the following seven chapters: The Rise of the Rest, 2. The Cup Runneth Over, 3. American Power and 7. Well-written and well-researched book. Accessible book for the masses. A fascinating topic in the hands of a master. Engaging prose that offers countless anecdotes and interesting facts.
Elegant and engaging prose, full of interesting anecdotes.
A lot of misconceptions put to rest: Economics in an enlightening manner, "It was not the Great Depression that brought the Nazis to power in Germany but rather hyperinflation, which destroyed the middle class by making its savings worthless". The three forces that impact the global international environment: The impact of global growth on natural resources and the environment. Fascinating facts throughout the book,"from to , the number of vehicles in China will rise from 26 million to million". Does a great job of explaining the various challenges facing the planet.
What the global economy has turned into National debt at the heart of our problem. How our world is shrinking. Did you know that women's clothing is a powerful indicator of a society's comfort with modernity? Brief but interesting look at religions that form the rising powers. A fascinating look at China, worth the price of the book.