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In Praise of Empires: Globalization and Order
In this timely and controversial book, economist Deepak Lal explores the twin themes of empires and globalization and discusses the place of the US in the current world order. In Praise of Empires argues that not since the fall of the Roman empire has there been a potential imperial power like the United States today, and asks the question: Is a US impirium needed for the globalization which breeds prosperity? What form should this empire take - a direct 'colonial' or 'indirect' empire? Will America be able and willing to run an empire? Lal explores the Islamic threat to the position of the US and the current 'war on terror'.
270 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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August 22, 2007About how Empire can support freedom, democracy and free markets better then other powers. Also castigates the local elites of areas who so often ruin their native lands through egotism and arrogance.
October 9, 2011
This is one of the "other side" books that are good to check out, but only to make sure your reading isn't too one-sided.
Fundamentally, Deepak Lal is a materialist, and Mammon is at the center of his defense of imperialism. It's really all about free market economics. To Lal, in order to maintain a global free market, we need a global empire to keep everyone in line. It may take cracking a few skulls, but it's worth the resulting economic and social progress.
Religion, spirituality, and ethics really play no part in the equation, as Lal explicitly points out. He favors empires that don't try to spread religious or ethical ideologies along with their economic and political structures. The "iron fist" of imperialism (his image, though he's sensitive enough to put a "velvet glove" on it) is good for the world, and America is next in line. They need to step up, Lal says, and take command, for the good of the global economy and in the name of a frighteningly modernist sense of progress.
Fundamentally, Deepak Lal is a materialist, and Mammon is at the center of his defense of imperialism. It's really all about free market economics. To Lal, in order to maintain a global free market, we need a global empire to keep everyone in line. It may take cracking a few skulls, but it's worth the resulting economic and social progress.
Religion, spirituality, and ethics really play no part in the equation, as Lal explicitly points out. He favors empires that don't try to spread religious or ethical ideologies along with their economic and political structures. The "iron fist" of imperialism (his image, though he's sensitive enough to put a "velvet glove" on it) is good for the world, and America is next in line. They need to step up, Lal says, and take command, for the good of the global economy and in the name of a frighteningly modernist sense of progress.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews