There's a reason I didn't include it this time. Tragedy is a classic, but it needs a bit of background reading from other sources. Then read from front to back. Diplomacy is a good start, since you can skip around a bit after you've read it once.
Maturing enough to realize that states don't generally act out of morality but out of self interest is not as easy and obvious as it sounds. A lot of people don't get it because they don't want to believe that the world is that blunt and cold. It clouds them seeing what is right in front of them. Mearsheimer has given me the language to convey it. I knew but wasn't able to articulate it so clearly before. I don't agree with everything he argues but I do enough to find him valuable.
Its hard, because you realize that over time. Another maturity step is realizing that the self interest of states can be paradoxical. Sometimes when states move in line with their interest? It can give that state and multiple ones in a system prosperity and stability.
Self-interest, when tempered by strategic foresight, can become a force that sustains rather than destroys. Especially if the parties involved understand their interests, limitations, and other sides enough to look for balance. Balance here is important, they're not giving up their interests entirely - and that's very different from win-win that gets trotted around.
Another is the world event's isn't a fatalistic march toward an inevitable end or to utopia, but as an endless cycle of rise and downfall. And success, I think, is being able to know how to ride those waves in the cycle. Stasis is a myth.
Its exceptional at describing the underlying system of geopolitics from a Western lens. Its very good at explaining why legitimacy is, the means to gain it, and how much narrative plays into it. Also the idea that it exists not because it’s ethically pure. He's very good at synthesizing history into it, and showing it repeats.
And I think with a compliment of reading a bit of Mearsheimer too its a great resource
That said, Kissinger treats the Westphalian system as the default or natural foundation of world order. Then thinks its an organic evolution rather than a geopolitical imposition, which makes sense given his background.
Thanks for bringing here this excellent list of books, all look very interesting. For those who will read and like Mearsheimer's How States Think probably should also give a try to The Tragedy of Great Power Politics.
Haven’t read Svechin yet. Thanks for the recommendation! Kissinger’s Diplomacy is already in my collection
Very interesting, thank you.
All certified bangers. Personally I'd swap out How States Think for Mearsheimer's Tragedy, but that book is a bit of a beast
There's a reason I didn't include it this time. Tragedy is a classic, but it needs a bit of background reading from other sources. Then read from front to back. Diplomacy is a good start, since you can skip around a bit after you've read it once.
Maturing enough to realize that states don't generally act out of morality but out of self interest is not as easy and obvious as it sounds. A lot of people don't get it because they don't want to believe that the world is that blunt and cold. It clouds them seeing what is right in front of them. Mearsheimer has given me the language to convey it. I knew but wasn't able to articulate it so clearly before. I don't agree with everything he argues but I do enough to find him valuable.
Its hard, because you realize that over time. Another maturity step is realizing that the self interest of states can be paradoxical. Sometimes when states move in line with their interest? It can give that state and multiple ones in a system prosperity and stability.
Self-interest, when tempered by strategic foresight, can become a force that sustains rather than destroys. Especially if the parties involved understand their interests, limitations, and other sides enough to look for balance. Balance here is important, they're not giving up their interests entirely - and that's very different from win-win that gets trotted around.
Another is the world event's isn't a fatalistic march toward an inevitable end or to utopia, but as an endless cycle of rise and downfall. And success, I think, is being able to know how to ride those waves in the cycle. Stasis is a myth.
What’s your take on Kissinger world order?
Its a very good one.
Its exceptional at describing the underlying system of geopolitics from a Western lens. Its very good at explaining why legitimacy is, the means to gain it, and how much narrative plays into it. Also the idea that it exists not because it’s ethically pure. He's very good at synthesizing history into it, and showing it repeats.
And I think with a compliment of reading a bit of Mearsheimer too its a great resource
That said, Kissinger treats the Westphalian system as the default or natural foundation of world order. Then thinks its an organic evolution rather than a geopolitical imposition, which makes sense given his background.
Thanks for bringing here this excellent list of books, all look very interesting. For those who will read and like Mearsheimer's How States Think probably should also give a try to The Tragedy of Great Power Politics.
Nice list. Looking forward to more.
Ouff. Bless you for this.
Nice recommendations
Will you open your X again?