The Post-American World | 
 enlarge | Author: Fareed Zakaria
Publisher: W. W. Norton
Category: Book
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Rating:  86 reviews
Sales Rank: 33
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.2
ISBN: 039306235X
Dewey Decimal Number: 303.49
EAN: 9780393062359
ASIN: 039306235X
Publication Date: May 5, 2008
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Product Description
One of our most distinguished thinkers argues that the "rise of the rest" is the great story of our time.
"This is not a book about the decline of America, but rather about the rise of everyone else." So begins Fareed Zakaria's important new work on the era we are now entering. Following on the success of his best-selling The Future of Freedom, Zakaria describes with equal prescience a world in which the United States will no longer dominate the global economy, orchestrate geopolitics, or overwhelm cultures. He sees the "rise of the rest"—the growth of countries like China, India, Brazil, Russia, and many others—as the great story of our time, and one that will reshape the world. The tallest buildings, biggest dams, largest-selling movies, and most advanced cell phones are all being built outside the United States. This economic growth is producing political confidence, national pride, and potentially international problems. How should the United States understand and thrive in this rapidly changing international climate? What does it mean to live in a truly global era? Zakaria answers these questions with his customary lucidity, insight, and imagination.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 81 more reviews...
Cool, Calm and Objective July 18, 2008
The best nonfiction book I've read this year. Zakaria brings a cool, objective analysis to a complex topic. No political tirades and only moderate finger pointing. Very much worth your time and money.
This World Has Already Arrived July 18, 2008
First and foremost, there is an elephant in the room.
Fareed Zakaria is a member of the PNAC: Project for the New American Century. The PNAC advocates using the US military to overthrow foreign governments to enforce American economic interests around the globe, no matter how negative the consequences. The PNAC advocates this foreign policy because there is no check on the United States after the collapse of the USSR. After the PNAC-Iraq campaign didn't turn out to be as cheap and easy as the PNAC and Zakaria thought it would be, Zakaria "changed" his opinion. How interesting; how convenient. A journalistic version of the Peter Principle. This author's PNAC membership is relevant to his latest book.
In "the Post-American World" Zakaria reinforces his points by noting globalization and changes 500 years ago, historically and adequately linking the past with our truly globalized civilization of today. In the latter 18th Century America rose steadily. The Spanish-American war brought territory far off the the shore of the US. After WWII, the US emerged as one of two superpowers, and after the fall of the Soviet Union, became what the author calls, a "hyperpower." This hyperpower status is when many nation-states do what nation-states historically do: get greedy, become selfish, and over-reach diplomatically, economically, and militarily.
To echo other readers, yes this book is optimistic. Why wouldn't it be? The focus is on the global economy and emerging markets, basically. Zakaria claims American influence isn't declining, but that the rest of the world is rising. Where is the evidence that the US is not declining? The evidence of US decline is everywhere, domestically and internationally.
The Post-American world noticeably started emerging in the early 1990s and it's obvious across the globe now. Zakaria accurately focuses on the past 25 years, citing many facts. In my opinion, not only is the rest of the world ascending *economically* (China, India, Brazil, Vietnam, and others) but the US is in a state of slow and steady decline. This is historically normal, and natural. Over the the course of history, all superpowers grow, peak, and then decline. This is not negative. It's the evolution of the nation-state. Just like people. We're born, we grow, we age, and we die. The Roman empire declined over the course of 300 years. The USA is diminishing much faster.
It's not surprising that Americans in the Global Pew survey recorded the lowest of all countries in their opinions about globalization and "free trade" according to Zakaria. Yet, this has been the official policy of the US government for several decades.
With the current economic ascension of several nations, do international organizations accurately represent the current world population and economic strength of the world? Look at the G8: why is Canada in the G8 and Brazil, not? Why are France and Italy members? As for outsourcing, is outsourcing jobs all positive, having no negative ramifications at all? Is chasing the cheapest labor the success of "globalization?" Is opening the door for immigration not only for menial low-paying jobs, but highly skilled ones via the H1-B visa, success of our international global economy in the USA?
Only a couple of complaints about this book: author Zakaria is stating things anyone who follows current events already knows. Many of the global economic facts, especially pertaining to China and India, are already common knowledge. The author could have dug deeper. This book was also very short. Perhaps this book was aimed at readers who don't pay attention to international affairs. "The Post-American World" is for neophytes, and that's OK. Any information, with accurate research, is worthy information. Whatever the author's objectives, the book did reach some of a American public that casually watches the conglomerate American mainstream media, as there were discussions about this book when it was released.
The more Americans become aware, the more frugal, more humble, and less nationalistic they may become.
 A simply amazing book. July 18, 2008
This is an excellent, accessable book that in my opinion should be required reading for every American citizen. Zakaria cuts through the polemics of both right and left and soberly assesses the state of American society, politics, and economics today. The last section of his last chapter sums up the situation perfectly. Not to be missed.
The World We Live In July 17, 2008
I heard Mr. Zakaria speak last fall at a college here in Michigan. I found him to be a compelling speaker with an important message. He has fleshed out the thoughts and ideas he shared with us that day in a clear, concise book. Mr. Zakaria immigrated to the US from India in the early 1980's to attend college. He poses a true world view. He builds a strong, well thought out case for what he feels will be the political and economic structure of the next century. His writing is not tinged with Red or Blue partisan agendas. It is clear, well researched attempt to illustrate the obstacles and opportunities facing us in the decades ahead. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT BOOK!!
We Will Live in a Post-American World July 16, 2008
Zakaria's book hits the nail on the head with his research and analysis of the current global power struggle and the future in which we are all rapidly entering. Unlike many people, however, Zakaria is still fairly bullish on the United States and its place in the world, although he rightfully acknowledges the many challenges the country faces presently. The first third of the book focuses on the Western World and how Britain and the U.S. have dominated and shaped the global order in the past two centuries. He follows with a chapter on China, which he dubs the Challenger. Other countries are mentioned, but China takes up most of the author's ideas when thinking of the impending post-American world. Of course the author's native land of India receives its appropriate analysis as well and is referred to as the ally of the U.S. Zakaria also thoughtfully discusses similarities between the rise, peak and decline of Britain and the U.S., which makes for interesting reading.
One point the author emphasizes is that unlike much of Europe and Japan, immigration appears to be a key factor for the U.S. in saving it from declining populations and shortage of labor. Immigrants have always provided the United States with economic growth and innovation, and the future will be no different. In fact, immigration must continue for the U.S. to remain where it is today in the years to come. In a world where almost anyone can now obtain the know how and access to goods and services in an effort to become more competitive, more innovative and harder working, staying on top of the world will become exceedingly more difficult, even for the United States. If we are to do it as an American people, changes are needed. Understanding this book is an excellent starting place.
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