The Next American Century: How the U.S. Can Thrive as Other Powers Rise

By Nina Hachigian and Mona Sutphen

Book Overview

"Finally, a thoughtful (and thought-provoking) book that tells us the positive strategic news about the rise of China, India, and other emerging global powers, without glossing over the challenges."

--Dan Burstein, venture capitalist and author of Secrets of 24

"The Next American Century provides a strong, practical, optimistic lesson that Americans should take to heart."

--Brent Scowcroft, former National Security Adviser ?to Presidents Gerald R. Ford and George H.W. Bush

"The Next American Century describes brilliantly why the world's rising powers are not only necessary competitors but essential partners. The main challenge is to accept challenge. This positive, down-to-earth reminder should be essential reading."

--Matt Miller, Fortune magazine columnist ?and author of The 2 Percent Solution

"The authors of The Next American Century offer a refreshing alternative to the customary prophesies of doom and the obsessive search for a new arch-enemy."

--Brian Urquhart, former Under Secretary-General of the UN

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 074329100X
• ISBN13: 9780743291002
• Release Date: February 2010
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

i liked it!

i really liked this book. simple in a good way. clear, interesting, thought provoking, i keep thinking about it, and i finished last week! i hope lots of americans read it, because if more americans could understand foriegn policy from this point of view, i think they would be way more constructive world citizens.

The Next American Century

Hachigian and Sutphen are among the brightest minds in America's relationship to its foreign policy. For those who want to understand what role America will play in global politics and issues, this book is a "must read." The authors have clearly explained how we will need to get along with all emerging powers in addition to China and India, and still maintain our status as a leader. They offer strong optimism for the future by ridding the discussion of agendized politics and commonplace fear. This book should be read by every thinking American who believes in a positive future.

Excellent!

Finally, a book that makes sense out of American foreign policy and what the next generation could do to improve it. A big thumbs from a Brazilian reader. Obrigada!

reframing the foreign policy debate

"The Next American Century"is a rare occurrence : a carefully researched, eminently erudite, pleasantly readable and convincing argument for the redefinition of American hegemony in the XXIst century. Creating a surprisingly accessible framework for a complex subject, the authors contextualize American influence in the global arena by characterizing the "pivotal powers" as potential partners rather than threats. A welcome addition to the current world affairs canon, both an excellent foreign policy primer and thought-provoking hypothesis. Let us hope it is on every presidential campaign's reading list.

future, plural

In 'The Next American Century,' Nina Hachigian and Mona Sutphen build a compelling case for embracing, rather than fearing, the rise of what they term 'Pivotal' powers: China, Russia, the EU, Japan and India. As they point out, the major threats to US lives - terrorism, pandemics, loose nukes, global warming - cannot be contained without the coordination, rather than subordination, of these major powers. Though broadly, and at the moment, unusually, optimistic about these states and our potential in future dealings with them, the Next American Century devotes early chapters to the distinct trajectories, roles and weaknesses of each pivotal power, including the US - a thorough, compelling survey for anyone trying to handicap the prospects of major world players today. Hachigian and Sutphen conclude with recommendations for US politicians and citizens - for the former, much more global engagement and a diplomacy that capitalizes more on the distinct and diverse characteristics, as well as the rapid ascent, of these ancient and Leviathan cultures; for the rest of us, travel more and don't let another generation of American school children enter the world speaking only English.