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How to Make a Nation: A Monocle Guide
What characteristics and values define a country? Which countries are particularly successful in terms of education, economics, or culture? In this book, Monocle provides a global perspective on the distinct qualities of nations.
Monocle's books with Gestalten have shown you how to build a better life, business, and home. But now Monocle raises the bar: how do you run a great country? They are not talking about might, muscle, or nationalism --although you need a bit of a swagger every now and then. They are talking about a country that feels like a cohesive community, knows what to value, and goes out into the world to gently get its way with soft power, fine ambassadors, and compelling cultural offerings. At home, this country celebrates good education, well-made institutions, and its own people and their skills.
How to Run a Nation: A Monocle Guide is a thought-provoking primer that informs and inspires. The best ideas don't need to be invented--they need to be found and copied. Let Monocle be your guide.
Monocle's books with Gestalten have shown you how to build a better life, business, and home. But now Monocle raises the bar: how do you run a great country? They are not talking about might, muscle, or nationalism --although you need a bit of a swagger every now and then. They are talking about a country that feels like a cohesive community, knows what to value, and goes out into the world to gently get its way with soft power, fine ambassadors, and compelling cultural offerings. At home, this country celebrates good education, well-made institutions, and its own people and their skills.
How to Run a Nation: A Monocle Guide is a thought-provoking primer that informs and inspires. The best ideas don't need to be invented--they need to be found and copied. Let Monocle be your guide.
- GenresPoliticsNonfiction
340 pages, Hardcover
Published April 15, 2016
10 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 5, 2018
Interesting little volume, but spread a little thin across too many topics. Feels a bit millennial at times - points are awarded to Australia for inventing avocado toast and flat whites, the writers wistfully exhort Russia to be nicer to everyone, and China to stop polluting so much - that is to say, without much consideration for deeper geopolitical issues. I would have preferred what they did in their Guide to Cosy Homes, taking deep dives into a smaller set of issues and unraveling each in detail.
Found it interesting how Singapore breaks nearly every single rule stipulated by the authors. I've always wondered why our particular brand of jingoistic patriotism feels false. Like China, our government's inability to accept criticism and sheer determination to micro-manage our national branding has had the exact opposite effect.
In contemporary culture, the worst thing not to have is not museums (which China is building by the dozens) nor tourism (which China is sending forth unto the world by the city-load); the worst thing not to have is a sense fo humour. If you can't laugh at yourself, you represent the po-faced, buttoned-up, get-in-the-back-of-the-van agent of the police state.
I borrowed this from the library, trying as I am to reduce the number of books I own. Hauling twelve full cardboard boxes of books out of my room during my last move finally convinced me of the fact that I have too many.
It was my first visit to our National Library in about a decade, as it moved from its old location, a gorgeous red brick building in a relatively remote road, to a massive 16-story building in the middle of the city. The lending library itself occupies only a SINGLE floor in a sub-basement. There are hardly any seats. And therein lies so much of the problem with Singapore and its nation building and brand identity - the new library is an edifice, a hollow display, without much consideration for the soul of the actual institution. I have so many great memories of the old library, going with my family and getting lost in the stacks, but I don't think I'll be coming back to the new one. It just makes me angry.
Found it interesting how Singapore breaks nearly every single rule stipulated by the authors. I've always wondered why our particular brand of jingoistic patriotism feels false. Like China, our government's inability to accept criticism and sheer determination to micro-manage our national branding has had the exact opposite effect.
In contemporary culture, the worst thing not to have is not museums (which China is building by the dozens) nor tourism (which China is sending forth unto the world by the city-load); the worst thing not to have is a sense fo humour. If you can't laugh at yourself, you represent the po-faced, buttoned-up, get-in-the-back-of-the-van agent of the police state.
I borrowed this from the library, trying as I am to reduce the number of books I own. Hauling twelve full cardboard boxes of books out of my room during my last move finally convinced me of the fact that I have too many.
It was my first visit to our National Library in about a decade, as it moved from its old location, a gorgeous red brick building in a relatively remote road, to a massive 16-story building in the middle of the city. The lending library itself occupies only a SINGLE floor in a sub-basement. There are hardly any seats. And therein lies so much of the problem with Singapore and its nation building and brand identity - the new library is an edifice, a hollow display, without much consideration for the soul of the actual institution. I have so many great memories of the old library, going with my family and getting lost in the stacks, but I don't think I'll be coming back to the new one. It just makes me angry.
September 3, 2016
Brilliant framework on cities, urban development & place branding. However given the absence of external factors that could happen, these suggestions would pretty much work theoretically, in an ideal world.
Want to read
July 14, 2023"How to Make a Nation: A Monocle Guide"
"Monocle," a magazine renowned for its cosmopolitan spirit, has long been a staple on the mahogany coffee tables of the globe-trotting and trend-savvy crowd. Known for its knack for insightfully curating the world's finest urbanism, business, culture, and design, it offers a delightful blend of the esoteric and the essential. Now, with the release of their latest literary enterprise, "How to Make a Nation: A Monocle Guide," they embark on a captivating exploration of nationhood, politics, and the subtle art of civic management.
Despite the magnitude of its titular promise, the Monocle guide delivers its content with the characteristic elegance and grace readers have come to expect. The book, a veritable textbook of statecraft and nation-building, feels less like a ponderous political treatise and more like a detailed how-to guide. It maintains an atmosphere of worldly curiosity, replete with incisive commentary, striking photographs, and fascinating case studies.
The book's three main sections: "Nation Builders," "Soft Power," and "New Nationalism" serve as our guides through the vast terrain of statehood. "Nation Builders" throws light on the often-obscure stories of individuals, both celebrated and unsung, who have been instrumental in their country's formation or reformation. From forefathers of independence to architects of revolutionary policies, we see how these figures have navigated the tides of their respective national histories.
In "Soft Power," the Monocle team investigates how nations wield influence beyond their borders without relying on military might. This is arguably the most Monocle-esque section of the book, addressing a theme the magazine has passionately advocated: the role of culture, education, diplomacy, and business in nation-building. It delves into the subtleties of international relations, offering fresh perspectives on how nations can secure their place in the global arena.
"New Nationalism," the final part of the triad, offers a timely discourse on the resurgence of nationalist ideologies around the world. As the narrative navigates the treacherous waters of this contentious topic, it does so with a gentle hand, maintaining an observational tone that invites understanding rather than fostering division.
The Monocle guide's most significant strength is its ability to make the complex appear comprehensible, and even delightful. It reminds us that nations are more than geopolitical entities; they are intricate tapestries woven from shared histories, collective aspirations, and diverse cultures. Each country is a unique story of struggles, triumphs, idiosyncrasies, and vision—a reality the book embraces with a journalistic flair that eschews jargon for the sake of genuine communication.
Despite its many strengths, the guide is not without its limitations. Its expansive scope occasionally leads to a lack of depth on specific topics. Similarly, while the anecdotal approach adds a human element to the discourse, it might leave readers yearning for a more rigorous analytical framework. The book tends to portray nation-building as a high-minded endeavour, sidestepping some of the more contentious aspects such as territorial disputes, socio-economic inequalities, and political corruption.
However, these critiques do not detract significantly from the book's overall merit. As an entry point into the complex world of nation-building, it remains an engaging and enlightening read.
In conclusion, "How to Make a Nation: A Monocle Guide" proves an ambitious undertaking, one that remains true to its brand's ethos. It presents a rich mosaic of the world’s nations, offering insights into the complex and fascinating processes of nation-building. A testament to Monocle's commitment to incisive journalism and stylish presentation, this guide is a worthy addition to the bookshelves of those seeking a fresh perspective on the world in which we live. This book does not provide a formulaic solution to making a nation, but rather, it encourages a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be a nation—making it a must-read for global citizens and armchair travellers alike.
"Monocle," a magazine renowned for its cosmopolitan spirit, has long been a staple on the mahogany coffee tables of the globe-trotting and trend-savvy crowd. Known for its knack for insightfully curating the world's finest urbanism, business, culture, and design, it offers a delightful blend of the esoteric and the essential. Now, with the release of their latest literary enterprise, "How to Make a Nation: A Monocle Guide," they embark on a captivating exploration of nationhood, politics, and the subtle art of civic management.
Despite the magnitude of its titular promise, the Monocle guide delivers its content with the characteristic elegance and grace readers have come to expect. The book, a veritable textbook of statecraft and nation-building, feels less like a ponderous political treatise and more like a detailed how-to guide. It maintains an atmosphere of worldly curiosity, replete with incisive commentary, striking photographs, and fascinating case studies.
The book's three main sections: "Nation Builders," "Soft Power," and "New Nationalism" serve as our guides through the vast terrain of statehood. "Nation Builders" throws light on the often-obscure stories of individuals, both celebrated and unsung, who have been instrumental in their country's formation or reformation. From forefathers of independence to architects of revolutionary policies, we see how these figures have navigated the tides of their respective national histories.
In "Soft Power," the Monocle team investigates how nations wield influence beyond their borders without relying on military might. This is arguably the most Monocle-esque section of the book, addressing a theme the magazine has passionately advocated: the role of culture, education, diplomacy, and business in nation-building. It delves into the subtleties of international relations, offering fresh perspectives on how nations can secure their place in the global arena.
"New Nationalism," the final part of the triad, offers a timely discourse on the resurgence of nationalist ideologies around the world. As the narrative navigates the treacherous waters of this contentious topic, it does so with a gentle hand, maintaining an observational tone that invites understanding rather than fostering division.
The Monocle guide's most significant strength is its ability to make the complex appear comprehensible, and even delightful. It reminds us that nations are more than geopolitical entities; they are intricate tapestries woven from shared histories, collective aspirations, and diverse cultures. Each country is a unique story of struggles, triumphs, idiosyncrasies, and vision—a reality the book embraces with a journalistic flair that eschews jargon for the sake of genuine communication.
Despite its many strengths, the guide is not without its limitations. Its expansive scope occasionally leads to a lack of depth on specific topics. Similarly, while the anecdotal approach adds a human element to the discourse, it might leave readers yearning for a more rigorous analytical framework. The book tends to portray nation-building as a high-minded endeavour, sidestepping some of the more contentious aspects such as territorial disputes, socio-economic inequalities, and political corruption.
However, these critiques do not detract significantly from the book's overall merit. As an entry point into the complex world of nation-building, it remains an engaging and enlightening read.
In conclusion, "How to Make a Nation: A Monocle Guide" proves an ambitious undertaking, one that remains true to its brand's ethos. It presents a rich mosaic of the world’s nations, offering insights into the complex and fascinating processes of nation-building. A testament to Monocle's commitment to incisive journalism and stylish presentation, this guide is a worthy addition to the bookshelves of those seeking a fresh perspective on the world in which we live. This book does not provide a formulaic solution to making a nation, but rather, it encourages a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be a nation—making it a must-read for global citizens and armchair travellers alike.
October 21, 2020
Can be summed up by "Be like Norway/Finland / Denmark". Lots of interesting content on a broad range of topics, but gives so much adulation and column inches to Scandinavia that any other mentions feel almost token.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews