JM Book Blog
9/21/2006
Garton Ash: Free World
Timothy Garton Ash: Free World - America, Europe and the Surprising Future of the West
Paperback: 279 pages
Publisher: Random House 2005
ISBN: 1400062195
In spirit a manifesto for Euroatlantic unity, in form a concised history of an idea, Garton Ash's brilliant book Free World is a strong statement for American and European brotherhood.
After the Cold War, West lost its focus in believing that the 'end of history' had happened also in the realm of real life, not just on the level of political philosophy. It has become clear, through 9/11 and larger geopolitical developments, that democracy has not (yet) won.
To make the matters worse for freedom, US unilateralism in pushing for war in Iraq destroyed the Atlantic unity felt after the attacks on New York. Garton Ash feels that all can still be mended. Common sense says that advancement of freedom can not be done with military power, unilaterally. The community of democracies must therefore work better together - Gulliver has to stop to think and listen and Lilliputians must understand their responsibilities in fighting for freedom...
Free world can and must work together if it is to succeed.
Garton Ash writes with style, combining quotes from historical classics to his personal eye-witness accounts creating political travelogue that is as entertaining as informing.
Link: Free World Web ¶ 9/21/2006 12:53:00 ap.
Timothy Garton Ash: Free World - America, Europe and the Surprising Future of the WestPaperback: 279 pages
Publisher: Random House 2005
ISBN: 1400062195
In spirit a manifesto for Euroatlantic unity, in form a concised history of an idea, Garton Ash's brilliant book Free World is a strong statement for American and European brotherhood.
After the Cold War, West lost its focus in believing that the 'end of history' had happened also in the realm of real life, not just on the level of political philosophy. It has become clear, through 9/11 and larger geopolitical developments, that democracy has not (yet) won.
To make the matters worse for freedom, US unilateralism in pushing for war in Iraq destroyed the Atlantic unity felt after the attacks on New York. Garton Ash feels that all can still be mended. Common sense says that advancement of freedom can not be done with military power, unilaterally. The community of democracies must therefore work better together - Gulliver has to stop to think and listen and Lilliputians must understand their responsibilities in fighting for freedom...
Free world can and must work together if it is to succeed.
Garton Ash writes with style, combining quotes from historical classics to his personal eye-witness accounts creating political travelogue that is as entertaining as informing.
Link: Free World Web ¶ 9/21/2006 12:53:00 ap.
9/08/2006
Emmott: Lessons
Bill Emmott: 20:21 Vision - Twentieth-Century Lessons for the Twenty-first Century
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Pan Books 2003
ISBN: 0374279659
Emmott encourages us to be 'paranoidly optimistic' about our future - global capitalism, democracy and technological development will offer us ways to master our future. Most important threats to our end of history are war and global warming.
Former chief editor of The Economist offers his realist account of the 20th century and skethces up a vision of the 21st. Emmott's straight-forward business oriented writing is by nature in the language of constructive realism. Don't expect political jargon.
Second Opinion: Will Hutton ¶ 9/08/2006 04:17:00 ap.
Bill Emmott: 20:21 Vision - Twentieth-Century Lessons for the Twenty-first CenturyHardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Pan Books 2003
ISBN: 0374279659
Emmott encourages us to be 'paranoidly optimistic' about our future - global capitalism, democracy and technological development will offer us ways to master our future. Most important threats to our end of history are war and global warming.
Former chief editor of The Economist offers his realist account of the 20th century and skethces up a vision of the 21st. Emmott's straight-forward business oriented writing is by nature in the language of constructive realism. Don't expect political jargon.
Second Opinion: Will Hutton ¶ 9/08/2006 04:17:00 ap.
