A World Recast: An American Moment in a Post-Western Order
Against the backdrop of Europe's travails, at a time when the prevailing narrative of international relations is engrossed in the achievements of the emerging powers, this sobering and vivid work, which makes a strong case for the role of the Transatlantic Community in the building of tomorrow's world, should be compulsory reading for policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic.(Ana Palacio, former foreign minister of Spain)Simon Serfaty writes about international politics with a unique combination of insight, clarity, and wit.A World Recastis a dazzling performance from an author at the peak of his powers.(Tod Lindberg, Editor of Policy Review, Hoover Institution)Serfaty (Old Dominion Univ.) argues that while the US and the West are losing their dominant positions in the world, they are not in decline. They are facing a world where rising countries wish to share in control of the international system. Serfaty argues that the next decade will be key for the US and the West, much like the second decade of the 1900s was crucial 100 years ago. The actions the US and the West take today may prevent disorder and war in the future. For this to happen, the US should not turn away from Europe and its transatlantic alliance. The US will also need to be willing to share power, but not just acquiesce to the demands of rising powers. In particular, the US should be willing to confront China but share power with China when called for as well. The strength of the book is Serfaty's analysis of power and who has it. Summing Up: Recommended.(CHOICE)