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

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But this is a rare moment in history: none of the world's big powers is our adversaries. In The Next American Century, Nina Hachigian and Mona Sutphen show that the "pivotal powers" -- China, Europe, India, Japan, and Russia -- seek greater influence, but each has an enormous stake in the world economy and a keen desire to thwart common threats. India is a key ally in the struggle against terrorism. China's help is essential to containing pandemic disease. Russia is leading an effort to keep nuclear devices out of terrorists' hands. Japan and Europe are critical partners in tackling climate change. None of these countries is a direct military or ideological challenger. In fact, their gains largely help, rather than hurt, America's continuing prosperity, growth, and, to some extent, even its values. Will we have conflicts with these powers? Definitely. Some will be serious. But, by and large, they want what we want: a stable world and better lives for their citizens. We live in an era of opportunity, not of loss.

To take advantage of this moment, the United States must get its own house in order, making sure that American children can compete, American workers can adjust, America's military remains cutting-edge, and American diplomacy entices rather than alienates. While America must be prepared for the possibility that a hostile superpower may one day emerge, it has to be careful not to turn a distant, uncertain threat into an immediate one. Washington should welcome the pivotal powers into a vigorous international order to share the burden of solving pressing global problems of peace, climate, health, and growth.

The avenue to a truly safer and more prosperous world runs through the pivotal powers. With them, we can build a world where Americans will thrive, today and tomorrow.

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

It is intellectually simplistic to assume that 'pivotal powers,' as the authors call China, Europe, India, Japan and Russia, are in a zero-sum competition with the US. The authors of this book see clearly, adroitly recognizing dangers and difficulties, while identifying common purpose in concrete and productive goals. I found myself nodding as I read this book, sometimes emphatically, as I took it all in. I lived and worked in China for many years, and it perpetually surprised me how many Americans I met on visits back home thought that China was a threat and an enemy to American prosperity. It does not dictate, nor bully. And yet a lot of debate in this country does indeed assume that the rise of others must mean the demise of us. China can look scary to outsiders, who are unaware of the depth of its own internal challenges, or of the sincerity of its desire for safe growth and self-respect.

Jointly fighting terrorism with India ought to be a priority over taking sides in Kashmir.This book offers some hope, in a perplexing and terrifying world, that the US can play a sharply more constructive role as a leader in the coming years. It makes so much sense, I thought, that the United States can best thrive if it makes strategic allies, instead of enemies, out of the world's other powers. Cooperating with China to contain pandemic disease, for instance, makes more sense that arguing over whether Taiwan should be independent or not. Instead, the authors write persuasively, the US will be better off if it can recognize the obvious benefits of cooperating and coordinating mutual advantages with these powers, and acting with intelligence and generosity. I gradually came to see that such belief was more fear and less perception of reality. A true leader inspires, cajoles and blazes a safer path. May cooler heads, like the two who wrote this book, prevail.

The first line in the book is."On December 13, 2001, two months and two days after the attack on September 11." This should read three months and two days after the attack, not two months. Too picky. Maybe but it creates a credibility problem from the outset.

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.

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.

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.