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Title: Of Paradise and Power: America and Europe in the New World Order by Robert Kagan ISBN: 1-4000-4093-0 Publisher: Knopf Pub. Date: 28 January, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.75 (73 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Informative, Insightful, Fair, yet General
Comment: This new essay by Robert Kagan offers important insights into the ideological differences between the current course of American and European foreign policies. The vital asset of this book is that it makes no value judgement of competing systems of thought, but rather evaluates, within historical situations, the meaning of diverse perspectives on international relations. What is also of major importance here is the examination, albeit cursory, of how the current ideals of the European experiment are a culmination of a history of Western political thought, and have grown out of the fundamental desires behind American efforts on the international stage, American ideals which in turn emerged from European roots.
The final argument of the book may pose a controversy of sorts, but the focus on knowing, understanding, and celebrating the mutual success that has led to peace in Europe, and to a new and vigorous passion for real humanitarian advances around the world, is the real contribution of this work. The positioning of power politics within the sphere of power itself, and apart from doctrine or cultural necessity, helps to underscore the mutual benefits of an increasingly complex but civilized Europe, as well as the root meaning, and the better hopes, of any American exercise of hegemony, which should remain wary of empire at all times.
In short, Kagan artfully demonstrates that the postmodern Europe is in many ways the world America has aspired to, and that current frictions are a difference in action, a difference in priority, but not a difference in ideals or in political goals.
Rating: 5
Summary: Great summary of the reasons for the Atlantic difference
Comment: In this relatively small book, Kagan lucidly explains the reasons why America and Europe seem so at odds today. This was evidently clear during the run-up to the war in Iraq. He explains how Europe has built for itself (with immense help from America) a post-historical paradise where laws, diplomacy, and institutions become the primary means of settling disputes and facilitating cooperation among nations. As Europe has moved into this state, its military prowess has declined significantly at the same time that America's military capabilities have soared. America doesn't flinch to use force to subdue rogue nations and confront despots around the world while Europe favors bargaining with the same, in the hope that they will adopt reasonable, sensible policies.
These two perspectives are worlds apart, and Kagan explains how this came about. Ironically, Europe's post-historical paradise was large built with American money, support, and direct contribution. It was America that created the United Nations, delivered the Marshall plan, and encouraged EU integration. Nations with economic and political ties are less likely to war with one another, dragging American resources in with them. These things are largely the result of the exporting of the American ideal. That ideal which values freedom, democracy, the rule of law, peaceful relations, pluralism, and the pursuit of economic growth are decidedly American in nature. America was borne of Europeans and the Enlightenment, and the spread of these goals around the world and to Europe represent a re-export of enlightenment ideas.
But, in order to preserve stability and order in the world, someone needs to carry a big stick. Despots like Kim Jong Il (sp?), Saddam Hussein, Ayatollah Kameini, Robert Mugabe, et al. do not value these ideals and occasionally need to be confronted with force. Europe flinches at the notion, America exercises when necessary. Europe lacks even the capability to do so, and is apprehensive about such things. This, according to the author, is the root of the misunderstanding. America's lack of appreciation for the history and recent modernization of Europe, and Europe's lack of appreciation for the necessary might of America to protect the free world. Indeed, without the protection of America's nuclear umbrella, Western Europe would not have remained free during the Cold War. Beyond these differences, however, Europe and America have a tremendous amount in common. Both value liberty, freedom, democracy, and seek peace and prosperity. They differ on how to protect these values and ensure the attainment of these common goals.
This book doesn't go into much depth, which is its primary weakness but also one of its strengths: it can be read in one sitting. For those looking for a brief and sensible explanation why the Atlantic divide seems so wide these days, this book is excellent. For what it sets out to do, it deserves five stars.
Rating: 4
Summary: Americans are from Mars, Europeans are from Venus
Comment: This is a polemic, and not actually a very good one. There are 101 pages without a break for a chapter - is this an essay or a speech? Then we get a 54 page afterword - phew!
There are some good soundbites though, such as - the USA remains mired in history exercising power in a world where international rules and laws are unreliable, and where true security still depends upon the possession and use of military might.
I couldn't agree with the viewpoint that when the USA acts in its own interests, it necessarily serves the interests of everyone.
It accuses Europeans (read the French) that the risks from the "axis of evil" will never be as great as the risk from an American Leviathan unbound.
But I think it asks too much of the rest of the world, to trust in America, when America won't subject itself to any moderating influences, whether it be the UN or the International Courts.
A book aimed at educating the Europeans, but I'd rather have a seen a more balanced view to also re-educate the Americans.
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Title: The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad by Fareed Zakaria ISBN: 0393047644 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: April, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: The Paradox of American Power: Why the World's Only Superpower Can't Go It Alone by Joseph S. Nye Jr. ISBN: 0195150880 Publisher: Oxford University Press Pub. Date: January, 2002 List Price(USD): $28.00 |
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Title: The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror by Bernard Lewis ISBN: 0679642811 Publisher: Modern Library Pub. Date: 25 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: The End of the American Era: U.S. Foreign Policy and the Geopolitics of the Twenty-first Century by Charles Kupchan ISBN: 0375412158 Publisher: Knopf Pub. Date: 29 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $27.95 |
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Title: The CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS AND THE REMAKING OF WORLD ORDER by Samuel P. Huntington ISBN: 0684844419 Publisher: Touchstone Books Pub. Date: 28 January, 1998 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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