Looking the World in the Eye

The Atlantic Monthly On-Line ^ | December 2001 | Robert D. Kaplan

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Bttt for later reading!

Looks very interesting!

[independentmind]

bump for later

[dirtboy]

ping - long but very interesting

[KJMorgan]

Wonderful article, thank you.

[Askel5]

Thanks for the ping, guy. I'll be back (I can tell already).

[okie01]

What will the next creedal-passion period be about? "Power is now seen as corporate. So the next outburst of creedal passion may be against hegemonic corporate capitalism."

A notion that I happen to agree with. "Hegemonic corporate capitalism", as Huntington describes it, is doomed for reasons that have nothing to do with the isolationist tendencies of the Brigadiers and the anti-capitalist demonstrations of the anarchists.

Instead, it will be their very size and corresponding cumbersomeness which results in their eventual collapse and dispersal. For example, the consumer is increasingly empowered with choices by devices such as the internet. A circumstance which also equally empowers the smaller quicker, more responsive competitors of these corporate hegemons.

At some point, size becomes an enemy. And it will be dealt with via that most capitalist of equalizers -- competition. Yet another good idea for the spread of capitalism...

Absolutely outstanding post, dirt. Huntington is an American treasure. Thanks for calling my attention to the piece.

[okie01]

Bumpety-doo-dah.

[Neophyte]

A longish one but absolutely deserves attention. The Huntington's title "The Clash of Civilizations" was the first thing I've thought about on 9/11 - a magnificent book!

[beckett]

Great article. This guy Huntington sure sounds like he has his head screwed on right. It's humbling to realize that I never heard of him until all this broke a few months ago and his 1993 Foreign Policy piece started to be heavily discussed in various places. Makes me realize that I don't know as much as I sometimes think I do.

All the new ground rules for future debate about America's role in the world can be found in this piece, I think. And the upshot seems to be that conservative pessimism about irrationality in human affairs will enjoy renewed respect, a salutory development.

[Southack]

Nice post. Huntington rocks! He is spot on about the clash of cultures being our next (current) warfare arena.

He also skewers liberals and international-hotel-style elites for not understanding what the masses of people outside such high-rolling (comparitively) lifestyles think.

I don't agree with his claim that our military could one day threaten our society (with a coup), but this seems like a minor disagreement considering the focus of his work.

If you haven't read The Third Wave, then do so. If you like that book, then The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers is another tome well worth reading (to understand how to avoid the collapse of a successful society).

[Travis McGee]

Kaplan is also a brilliant thinker and writer, several of his Atlantic Monthly articles are widely quoted classics on foreign affairs.

[dennisw]

Yes...... He wrote the "Coming Anarchy" in 1994 and others.

They say Robert Kaplan is a liberal...... BUT I know the multi-cultis cannot be pleased w/ him!

[dennisw]

Thanks for PING!

[Travis McGee]

Anytime!

[onyx]

BTTT --- I saw him interviewed prior to publication. I have already printed a copy!

[dennisw]

"Asia, despite its ups and downs, is expanding militarily and economically. Islam is exploding demographically. The West may be declining in relative influence."

Demographics is destiny. Sorry to keep using this line.

[harpseal]

Thanks for the heads up.

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

[patent]

Travis, Thanks for the bump, interesting article.

Dirtboy, Nice short post, concise, too the point. Very good. ;-) Honestly, good article, thanks.

patent

[beowolf]

A fascinating read. Thanks for finding and posting it. It's a relief to find substance rather than a 3 sentance vanity post!!!!