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America’s New Map
Three tectonic and inevitable shifts have left the world at a crossroads. North America is poised to either re-emerge as a global leader, or turn back in time, ceding power and influence to competitors.
The 21st century unleashed unprecedented changes across the globe—to its climate, to the demographic makeup of its nations, and to the very nature of allegiance in the digital age. With its global influence waning, America must reevaluate its approach to globalization if it wishes to remain a leader.
In America’s New Map: Restoring Global Leadership in an Era of Climate Change and Demographic Collapse, Thomas P.M. Barnett, bestselling author of The Pentagon’s New Map: War and Peace in the Twenty-First Century and acclaimed geo-strategist, offers seven throughlines to frame and redefine the ambitions and posture of these United States, setting our Union on a bold-but-entirely-familiar national trajectory.
In these pages, Barnett offers a deep, yet accessible dive into the three shifts that have lead us to this point:
• As climate change ravages countries closest to the equator, global dynamics are shifting from an East-West emphasis to North-South in the greatest geopolitical transformation our world has yet experienced—and the Western Hemisphere is far better positioned to exploit this radical reorientation than the East.
• Aging demographics worldwide favor more slowly aging nations, including the US, while challenging rapidly aging nations like China, incentivizing countries best to delay that transition by integrating younger, faster-growing populations into their ranks.
• In combination, these two tectonic forces collide with a third: the exploding consumption of an expanding—and now majority—global middle class, the bulk of whom reside along the increasingly unstable North-South frontier.
Taking every variable of these unique circumstances into account, America’s New Map charts a path toward a bigger and better United States. We will all be living in somebody’s world come mid-century—this book tells Americans how to make sure it is one we can recognize as our own.
The 21st century unleashed unprecedented changes across the globe—to its climate, to the demographic makeup of its nations, and to the very nature of allegiance in the digital age. With its global influence waning, America must reevaluate its approach to globalization if it wishes to remain a leader.
In America’s New Map: Restoring Global Leadership in an Era of Climate Change and Demographic Collapse, Thomas P.M. Barnett, bestselling author of The Pentagon’s New Map: War and Peace in the Twenty-First Century and acclaimed geo-strategist, offers seven throughlines to frame and redefine the ambitions and posture of these United States, setting our Union on a bold-but-entirely-familiar national trajectory.
In these pages, Barnett offers a deep, yet accessible dive into the three shifts that have lead us to this point:
• As climate change ravages countries closest to the equator, global dynamics are shifting from an East-West emphasis to North-South in the greatest geopolitical transformation our world has yet experienced—and the Western Hemisphere is far better positioned to exploit this radical reorientation than the East.
• Aging demographics worldwide favor more slowly aging nations, including the US, while challenging rapidly aging nations like China, incentivizing countries best to delay that transition by integrating younger, faster-growing populations into their ranks.
• In combination, these two tectonic forces collide with a third: the exploding consumption of an expanding—and now majority—global middle class, the bulk of whom reside along the increasingly unstable North-South frontier.
Taking every variable of these unique circumstances into account, America’s New Map charts a path toward a bigger and better United States. We will all be living in somebody’s world come mid-century—this book tells Americans how to make sure it is one we can recognize as our own.
- GenresNonfiction
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2023
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76 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 18, 2025
Dr. Barnett has another new map, to replace the Pentagon's Map from his earlier series of books. This book consists of many small chapters, over 40 in fact, grouped into seven sections called “throughlines.” The chapters in each throughline have a common theme, and each is fronted by a compelling pencil illustration. Often the chapters are introduced by citing another author’s work, after which Barnett expounds on some key concepts from the other author. In some ways the book is a synthesis of these other ideas. As with his earlier work, Barnett presents a novel perspective on global affairs, inviting the reader to think outside of what might be considered the conventional narrative on current events. From this perspective, one sees long term outcomes that are not discernible when focusing on ongoing political turmoil or a looming Third World War. His throughlines are thus like paths being blazed through the undiscovered country of the future.
In his new work, Barnett replaces "Core-Gap" integration as a strategic imperative with "North-South" integration. He bases this on looking at four primary trends which are locked in for the near future. These are 1) the unstoppable juggernaut that is globalization (we in the U.S. may not like our creation, but it is here to stay), 2) a burgeoning global middle class in what he used to call the New Core, 3) climate change rendering the middle latitudes of Earth less and less livable, and 4) the demographic collapse of the Old Core as its age distribution skews older because of increased longevity and low fertility. All this adds up to huge pressures to integrate the young and restless Global South with the old and labor-starved Global North, which each of the world's five superpowers (the US, the EU, Russia, China and India) approaches in its unique way.
Arguably, the recent political history of America, including the current (2025) U.S. administration’s withdrawal from postwar strategic alliances and its preoccupation with the southern border, implicitly recognizes this strategic reality. Likewise with the administration’s unprecedented threats to conquer Canada and Greenland. There’s a logic to these “policies,” but we’d be better off with an approach that’s more intelligent and diplomatic, more accepting of the shape of modern society. Currently, the bellicose approach of the U.S. is losing ground to China’s more direct approach of simply trading infrastructure development for access to markets (look up “Belt and Road Initiative”).
It’s not too late for the U.S., Barnett argues. We still have a popular brand, thanks to our global cultural dominance, and – recent troubles notwithstanding – to our American ideal of a truly equal society. We also have geographic advantages, simply from being in the Western hemisphere, protected by oceans and rich in resources. It makes sense for the Americas (plural) to become more integrated. In the last few chapters of the book, Barnett presents alternate futures of American acceptance or American apartheid. He prefers the former, as far as I can tell, as do I.
In summary, I found that "America's New Map" got me thinking in new ways, and helped orient me in understanding current events – the same as with the "Pentagon’s New Map" series in the early 2000s. I recommend this book, and the author's substack as well, where he is quite active as of the writing of this review in 2025.
In his new work, Barnett replaces "Core-Gap" integration as a strategic imperative with "North-South" integration. He bases this on looking at four primary trends which are locked in for the near future. These are 1) the unstoppable juggernaut that is globalization (we in the U.S. may not like our creation, but it is here to stay), 2) a burgeoning global middle class in what he used to call the New Core, 3) climate change rendering the middle latitudes of Earth less and less livable, and 4) the demographic collapse of the Old Core as its age distribution skews older because of increased longevity and low fertility. All this adds up to huge pressures to integrate the young and restless Global South with the old and labor-starved Global North, which each of the world's five superpowers (the US, the EU, Russia, China and India) approaches in its unique way.
Arguably, the recent political history of America, including the current (2025) U.S. administration’s withdrawal from postwar strategic alliances and its preoccupation with the southern border, implicitly recognizes this strategic reality. Likewise with the administration’s unprecedented threats to conquer Canada and Greenland. There’s a logic to these “policies,” but we’d be better off with an approach that’s more intelligent and diplomatic, more accepting of the shape of modern society. Currently, the bellicose approach of the U.S. is losing ground to China’s more direct approach of simply trading infrastructure development for access to markets (look up “Belt and Road Initiative”).
It’s not too late for the U.S., Barnett argues. We still have a popular brand, thanks to our global cultural dominance, and – recent troubles notwithstanding – to our American ideal of a truly equal society. We also have geographic advantages, simply from being in the Western hemisphere, protected by oceans and rich in resources. It makes sense for the Americas (plural) to become more integrated. In the last few chapters of the book, Barnett presents alternate futures of American acceptance or American apartheid. He prefers the former, as far as I can tell, as do I.
In summary, I found that "America's New Map" got me thinking in new ways, and helped orient me in understanding current events – the same as with the "Pentagon’s New Map" series in the early 2000s. I recommend this book, and the author's substack as well, where he is quite active as of the writing of this review in 2025.
July 18, 2023
I want to thank the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this new work.
America's New Map (ANM for further reference) is authored by Thomas P.M. Barnett. This is my first experience with the author, although I have since learned he has authored several books dealing with the Pentagon, the future of the world, and other topics that take an educated look at the future. Barnett is a PhD, has extensive experience with the Pentagon, is known as a successful consultant, and now works in the private sector primarily as a writer if I understood his bio correctly.
The premise of ANM is that America must change moving forward, as will the rest of the world. The author sees the future in rather seismic shifts, where five dominant players (the USA, the EU, China, Russia and India) will be the power brokers all vying for their own role as leaders in the world of the future.
The biggest thing that the author envisions is the movement (immigration) from south to north around the globe. That immigration will be fueled in large part by climate change. The migration will be forced upon masses as those in need search for water, food, and a better way of life. To that end, the author encourages America to be proactive and open doors, welcoming not just immigrants but new "states" primarily from Central and South America. And the author is all for adding Canada as well because they (the US) needs us as much as we will need them.
The author attacks the progressive policies driven by the Trump administration, and believes if America doesn't open the doors (for lack of a better metaphor) then the EU or China or Russia or India will. America will be left behind as an isolationist country wedded to progressive policies of the past--he doesn't say this explicitly but that's certainly an inference in the book.
The book is thought-provoking and contains a lot of data and analysis. The author makes a compelling case for these global changes, no longer driven by East vs West but by South moving North. There are parts of the book I found myself agreeing with and other parts that I simply found irrational.
It is a book that will trigger many emotions. It certainly raises a lot of concern in presenting this new map that the author envisions. Based on life expectancy I won't likely be around to see much of this unless I live to be over 100 (I'm 69 this week).
I don't know if all of this "stuff" is going to happen or not. My guess is that America will no doubt evolve and change as will the rest of the world, but I'm not sure I am buying the author's blueprint for how this will all shake out.
If you are interested in global issues, sociology, and big political concerns you will probably find this book compelling. I'm sure some will write this work off as a liberal diatribe; I don't see it that way although no doubt the author is not a Republican.
I give this work three stars. If this is the future map of America I'm so glad I lived in a very different time.
America's New Map (ANM for further reference) is authored by Thomas P.M. Barnett. This is my first experience with the author, although I have since learned he has authored several books dealing with the Pentagon, the future of the world, and other topics that take an educated look at the future. Barnett is a PhD, has extensive experience with the Pentagon, is known as a successful consultant, and now works in the private sector primarily as a writer if I understood his bio correctly.
The premise of ANM is that America must change moving forward, as will the rest of the world. The author sees the future in rather seismic shifts, where five dominant players (the USA, the EU, China, Russia and India) will be the power brokers all vying for their own role as leaders in the world of the future.
The biggest thing that the author envisions is the movement (immigration) from south to north around the globe. That immigration will be fueled in large part by climate change. The migration will be forced upon masses as those in need search for water, food, and a better way of life. To that end, the author encourages America to be proactive and open doors, welcoming not just immigrants but new "states" primarily from Central and South America. And the author is all for adding Canada as well because they (the US) needs us as much as we will need them.
The author attacks the progressive policies driven by the Trump administration, and believes if America doesn't open the doors (for lack of a better metaphor) then the EU or China or Russia or India will. America will be left behind as an isolationist country wedded to progressive policies of the past--he doesn't say this explicitly but that's certainly an inference in the book.
The book is thought-provoking and contains a lot of data and analysis. The author makes a compelling case for these global changes, no longer driven by East vs West but by South moving North. There are parts of the book I found myself agreeing with and other parts that I simply found irrational.
It is a book that will trigger many emotions. It certainly raises a lot of concern in presenting this new map that the author envisions. Based on life expectancy I won't likely be around to see much of this unless I live to be over 100 (I'm 69 this week).
I don't know if all of this "stuff" is going to happen or not. My guess is that America will no doubt evolve and change as will the rest of the world, but I'm not sure I am buying the author's blueprint for how this will all shake out.
If you are interested in global issues, sociology, and big political concerns you will probably find this book compelling. I'm sure some will write this work off as a liberal diatribe; I don't see it that way although no doubt the author is not a Republican.
I give this work three stars. If this is the future map of America I'm so glad I lived in a very different time.
July 29, 2024
I always excited when an author puts forward a different way of examining current situations and introduce new ideas as a remedy. Mr. Barnett has done that. His book is well thought out and presented in short digestible chapters (many with supporting graphs) that build upon each other.
Mr. Barnett rightly identifies globalization, aging demographics, immigration, China's Road & Belt initiative, Climate change, and our declining super-power role as the world's major challenges. Thes challenges come with their own advantages and disadvantages. The USA led the world in globalization and it created its own problems damaging workers and creating new middle classes throughout the world. China took prime advantage of its rising middle class to expand its influence from its borders to Africa, Middle east, southeast Asia, and Latin America with their Belt & Road Initiative. The Chinese offer client states infrastructure building & financing. Then offers management leases to run them. To keep the client states people in line, it offers host governments Chinese surveillance technology that have oversight.
Climate change is impacting countries within 30 degrees +/- of the equator, causing locals to move to their northern and southern neighbors. Unfortunately, our political leadership is too busy fighting with each other to gain internal power. This fight takes the form of populism, nativism, isolationism, denialism, and a past orientation. While we bicker internally, the rest of world is working towards a new age without us. In terms of gamesmanship, we play poker, Russia plays chess, and China plays go.
The 20th century was concerned with influence moving east/ west. In the 21st century, the winning influence will be moving north/south. Even though many countries criticize us, their people still want to come here because of the ideals we stand for. This is our completive advantage. If we can change our game, the USA will see a bright future.
Mr. Barnett rightly identifies globalization, aging demographics, immigration, China's Road & Belt initiative, Climate change, and our declining super-power role as the world's major challenges. Thes challenges come with their own advantages and disadvantages. The USA led the world in globalization and it created its own problems damaging workers and creating new middle classes throughout the world. China took prime advantage of its rising middle class to expand its influence from its borders to Africa, Middle east, southeast Asia, and Latin America with their Belt & Road Initiative. The Chinese offer client states infrastructure building & financing. Then offers management leases to run them. To keep the client states people in line, it offers host governments Chinese surveillance technology that have oversight.
Climate change is impacting countries within 30 degrees +/- of the equator, causing locals to move to their northern and southern neighbors. Unfortunately, our political leadership is too busy fighting with each other to gain internal power. This fight takes the form of populism, nativism, isolationism, denialism, and a past orientation. While we bicker internally, the rest of world is working towards a new age without us. In terms of gamesmanship, we play poker, Russia plays chess, and China plays go.
The 20th century was concerned with influence moving east/ west. In the 21st century, the winning influence will be moving north/south. Even though many countries criticize us, their people still want to come here because of the ideals we stand for. This is our completive advantage. If we can change our game, the USA will see a bright future.
October 14, 2024
Described in the preface as a series of "Throughlines," (themes) each of which is in turn made of "threads" (short supporting chapters). Barnett paints a picture of a modern world shaped irreversibly by American-led globalization - markets-based, culturally fungible, and rapidly warming. Makes a case for the major trends that he believes will define the next 50-100 years as we grapple with the outcomes of globalization and climate change, and proposes that America is uniquely positioned to come out on top, but only by embracing radical change instead of fading into base, isolationist, xenophobic irrelevance. An affirmative case for leading through the scary times ahead!
November 10, 2023
look south
You do not have to agree with the author but he will make you think about the world and the possibilities for the future.
You do not have to agree with the author but he will make you think about the world and the possibilities for the future.
May 8, 2025
Excellent Map of our future...our choice which has road to take (America)....10 stars if I could!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews