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A New Foreign Policy: Beyond American Exceptionalism
In this sobering analysis of American foreign policy under Trump, the award-winning economist calls for a new approach to international engagement. The American Century began in 1941 and ended in 2017, on the day of President Trump’s inauguration. The subsequent turn toward nationalism and “America first” unilateralism did not made America great. It announced the abdication of our responsibilities in the face of environmental crises, political upheaval, mass migration, and other global challenges. As a result, America no longer dominates geopolitics or the world economy as it once did. In this incisive and passionate book, Jeffrey D. Sachs provides the blueprint for a new foreign policy that embraces global cooperation, international law, and aspirations for worldwide prosperity. He argues that America’s approach to the world must shift from military might and wars of choice to a commitment to shared objectives of sustainable development. A New Foreign Policy explores both the danger of the “America first” mindset and the possibilities for a new way forward, proposing timely and achievable plans to foster global economic growth, reconfigure the United Nations for the twenty-first century, and build a multipolar world that is prosperous, peaceful, fair, and resilient.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 2, 2018
222 people are currently reading
894 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey D. Sachs
93 books852 followersJeffrey David Sachs, is an American economist, public policy analyst, and former director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, where he holds the title of University Professor, the highest rank Columbia bestows on its faculty. He is known as one of the world's leading experts on economic development and the fight against poverty.
Sachs is the Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs and a professor of health policy and management at Columbia's School of Public Health. As of 2017, he serves as special adviser to the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 global goals adopted at a UN summit meeting in September 2015. He held the same position under the previous UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and prior to 2016 a similar advisory position related to the earlier Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), eight internationally sanctioned objectives to reduce extreme poverty, hunger and disease by the year 2015. In connection with the MDGs, he had first been appointed special adviser to the UN Secretary-General in 2002 during the term of Kofi Annan.
In 1995, Sachs became a member of the International Advisory Council of the Center for Social and Economic Research (CASE). He is co-founder and chief strategist of Millennium Promise Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending extreme poverty and hunger. From 2002 to 2006, he was director of the United Nations Millennium Project's work on the MDGs. He is director of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and co-editor of the World Happiness Report with John F. Helliwell and Richard Layard. In 2010, he became a commissioner for the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, whose stated aim is to boost the importance of broadband in international policy. Sachs has written several books and received many awards.
Sachs is the Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs and a professor of health policy and management at Columbia's School of Public Health. As of 2017, he serves as special adviser to the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 global goals adopted at a UN summit meeting in September 2015. He held the same position under the previous UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and prior to 2016 a similar advisory position related to the earlier Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), eight internationally sanctioned objectives to reduce extreme poverty, hunger and disease by the year 2015. In connection with the MDGs, he had first been appointed special adviser to the UN Secretary-General in 2002 during the term of Kofi Annan.
In 1995, Sachs became a member of the International Advisory Council of the Center for Social and Economic Research (CASE). He is co-founder and chief strategist of Millennium Promise Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending extreme poverty and hunger. From 2002 to 2006, he was director of the United Nations Millennium Project's work on the MDGs. He is director of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and co-editor of the World Happiness Report with John F. Helliwell and Richard Layard. In 2010, he became a commissioner for the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, whose stated aim is to boost the importance of broadband in international policy. Sachs has written several books and received many awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 15, 2018
Certainly this book falls into the Idealist camp of foreign policy rather than the Realism camp. That said, the writing is conversational in tone and the book highlights some key points. For example: The United States aid budget is equal to around two weeks of Pentagon spending. Unfortunately, advocating literacy, fighting disease and seeking to eradicate poverty are not as sexy of topics to the politicians as is the next arms sale (page 203). There is no excuse that the USA has the most billionaires of any state on the planet, but yet we rank 25th among the OECD countries in life expectancy. We are 114th ranked in terms of being a peaceful society (page 215). American exceptionalism must be replaced with a hard look at how we need to reform America’s international approach to diplomacy and peace.
October 24, 2018
Unquestionably, the most important book I've read this year. Absolutely mindblowing and enlightening.
February 18, 2019
Super frustrating book. I found many of his diagnoses of the problems of U.S foreign policy compelling, but few of his prescriptions persuasive. Additionally, the tone of the book did not seek to start a conversation with people of different opinions and points of view. He used intentionally provocative phrases that would offend many a reader. His ideas alone are enough to get you to think. However, his overly pugilistic prose diminished my desire to delve deeper into his arguments.
Finally, the book was too short (not my usual complaint about foreign policy books). He established the outlines of his arguments but failed to flesh them out, often making bold assertions but leaving out any persuasive supporting points. At times it felt like I was reading a speech that he assigned an intern to turn into a book.
Finally, the book was too short (not my usual complaint about foreign policy books). He established the outlines of his arguments but failed to flesh them out, often making bold assertions but leaving out any persuasive supporting points. At times it felt like I was reading a speech that he assigned an intern to turn into a book.
October 19, 2024
I didn't even finish reading it. Strange and ridiculous move to push the climate agenda and pro-renewables agenda through the geopolitics.
May 4, 2021
Somewhere between a 3.5 and a 4, so I'm rounding up. A breezy overview of current American foreign policy and Jeff Sachs's suggestions for how it should be modeled in a more progressive fashion.
Overall, his analysis of contemporary foreign policy is pretty good and very straightforward. His solutions need a bit more fleshing out though, as he mentions a few goals, but a lot more time could be spent on laying out exactly how to achieve them
That being said, there are two glaring things that must be addressed:
The first is regarding Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union. Yes, Sachs is more progressive now than in his early career, where he played a key role in the catastrophic neoliberalization of Russia after the breakup of the USSR, but that doesn't mean that his early career didn't happen. He continues to significantly downplay the role he had (wouldn't we all, if we had such a destructive role in world affairs?) and to shift the blame entirely to the American administration and "higher ups" at the time, all while simultaneously continuing to speak fondly of Gorbachev and Yeltsin. This is both misleading (on the downplaying of his role) and flat out wrong (on the "goodness" of Gorbachev and Yeltsin, either from a moral or strategic sense).
The second is that while his foreign policy vision is more progressive and cooperative than current foreign policy, he stops short of coming out and firmly embracing an anti-imperialist, anti-colonialist (including anti-neocolonial), liberatory foreign policy. Yes, he has gone further in recent speeches/interviews than he did in this book in that particular direction (which is commendable), he still hasn't fully taken up an anti-imperialist stance explicitly. Any "progressive" analysis that fails to incorporate these points as key pillars is inherently going to be limited.
That being said, it's still an interesting book, a fast and easy read, has some decent facts, statistics, and diagnostic analysis, and is probably worth picking up.
Overall, his analysis of contemporary foreign policy is pretty good and very straightforward. His solutions need a bit more fleshing out though, as he mentions a few goals, but a lot more time could be spent on laying out exactly how to achieve them
That being said, there are two glaring things that must be addressed:
The first is regarding Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union. Yes, Sachs is more progressive now than in his early career, where he played a key role in the catastrophic neoliberalization of Russia after the breakup of the USSR, but that doesn't mean that his early career didn't happen. He continues to significantly downplay the role he had (wouldn't we all, if we had such a destructive role in world affairs?) and to shift the blame entirely to the American administration and "higher ups" at the time, all while simultaneously continuing to speak fondly of Gorbachev and Yeltsin. This is both misleading (on the downplaying of his role) and flat out wrong (on the "goodness" of Gorbachev and Yeltsin, either from a moral or strategic sense).
The second is that while his foreign policy vision is more progressive and cooperative than current foreign policy, he stops short of coming out and firmly embracing an anti-imperialist, anti-colonialist (including anti-neocolonial), liberatory foreign policy. Yes, he has gone further in recent speeches/interviews than he did in this book in that particular direction (which is commendable), he still hasn't fully taken up an anti-imperialist stance explicitly. Any "progressive" analysis that fails to incorporate these points as key pillars is inherently going to be limited.
That being said, it's still an interesting book, a fast and easy read, has some decent facts, statistics, and diagnostic analysis, and is probably worth picking up.
August 5, 2019
This book was beyond frustrating. I have tried to read it twice and admittedly did not even finish it this most recent time. It seems like every page showed a severe fundamental misunderstanding of the current world order.
Not only do Dr. Sachs's prescriptions miss the mark but his diagnoses lack any real application of honest international relations theory. More than this, however, what Dr. Sach's is prescribing is precisely the problem he is describing. Many of the current problems are the direct result of the United States's current foreign policy to liberalize and globalize. The United States's is playing with a liberal deck and unfortunately, the most serious threats from nation-states are playing with a realist deck and playing realist cards.
Equally as infuriating is Dr. Sach's idea that some of these other countries wouldn't be so mean and nasty if we were not so mean and nasty to them first. While this is true in some cases, in most cases it is not so easy to shift the blame on to the U.S. and absolve other countries of their aggressive behavior.
I appreciate the diversity of ideas in a field filled with stuffy academics and one dominating body of thought, however, what Dr. Sachs's is advocating for is not new and has too many a mistake in U.S. foreign policy. Worse than this though, and the reason for the rating is that it lacks any real commitment to understanding the prevailing ideas and strategies in U.S. foreign policy.
Not only do Dr. Sachs's prescriptions miss the mark but his diagnoses lack any real application of honest international relations theory. More than this, however, what Dr. Sach's is prescribing is precisely the problem he is describing. Many of the current problems are the direct result of the United States's current foreign policy to liberalize and globalize. The United States's is playing with a liberal deck and unfortunately, the most serious threats from nation-states are playing with a realist deck and playing realist cards.
Equally as infuriating is Dr. Sach's idea that some of these other countries wouldn't be so mean and nasty if we were not so mean and nasty to them first. While this is true in some cases, in most cases it is not so easy to shift the blame on to the U.S. and absolve other countries of their aggressive behavior.
I appreciate the diversity of ideas in a field filled with stuffy academics and one dominating body of thought, however, what Dr. Sachs's is advocating for is not new and has too many a mistake in U.S. foreign policy. Worse than this though, and the reason for the rating is that it lacks any real commitment to understanding the prevailing ideas and strategies in U.S. foreign policy.
May 2, 2025
Accurate depiction of the US foreign policy, its impact on the world and its consequences. The author also sprinkles first hand experiences of situations when the US foreign policy was not acting in good faith and instead had double standards. This piece of work is a mandatory read for anyone who seeks to understand how the US got where it is today.
July 5, 2020
There was a real temptation to rate this 4/5. Many relevant ideas on the restoration of U. S. Foreign Policy were lacking completely while other ideas were not detailed enough. It seems this deficit was due to Dr. Sachs’ expertise in development economics which seems to be the lens with which he views many issues. Nevertheless, Dr. Sachs makes a compelling case for a new approach to U. S. Foreign Policy. Many of his ideas seem novel and sound, and thus makes for great reading for anyone concerned about the topic of U. S. Foreign Policy.
December 27, 2018
I’ve enjoyed Jeffrey Sach’s previous books, but he is in fact an economist with a development speciality, and this foray into foreign policy is not particularly sophisticated. Simply hating Trump’s approach to foreign policy doesn’t make you a foreign policy expert, or give you a unique perspective, and his internationalist approach to foreign policy is both naive and, at times, saccharine.
November 8, 2021
Good exposition of malignant influence of America's hand on world politics for the past 200 years. Definitely makes a strong case for isolationism and turn inwards. Some of book, especially latter half, is written vaguely and makes oversimplifcation/generalization. Slight/moderate liberal bias
May 9, 2025
Needless to say, the main thrust of this book is what is to be done in an attempt to dig America out of the hole in to which she seems to have lowered herself. Much of interest to read here.
One of the fascinating things about history or the role which politics plays in it, is that no-one knows how things are going to play out. Events are difficult to predict - as one English politician said: `Events dear boy, events.`
One of the criticisms often aimed at the USA concerns her seemingly perpetual involvement in wars.
Donald Trump seems to be leaning toward Jaw Jaw rather than War War. Who knows? Maybe he really will be able to nudge the world toward a more peaceful existence.
One of the fascinating things about history or the role which politics plays in it, is that no-one knows how things are going to play out. Events are difficult to predict - as one English politician said: `Events dear boy, events.`
One of the criticisms often aimed at the USA concerns her seemingly perpetual involvement in wars.
Donald Trump seems to be leaning toward Jaw Jaw rather than War War. Who knows? Maybe he really will be able to nudge the world toward a more peaceful existence.
Read
April 11, 2022This is a disturbing but very important book for Americans to read. The US is falling behind. Yes it is not as long a book as many would like, but Sachs knows and has lived this. I believe he is correct. This country has lost its perspective. China is focused on the prize. Globalization is the next phase for our world. We must work together globally. Whether you believe Sachs or not, the future is in the world not just one country. The US cannot sustain its position in the world through wars we do not win. Diplomacy is so important at this time.
November 23, 2022
A great outspoken and courageous analysis based on facts and guided by true patriotism, humanism, good sense and good will. The US elite is unfortunately blinded by the country’s power and wrongly consider itself superior. This must stop for the good of all. If the US establishment is not more reasonable and just the rest of world will have no choice but to aim at weakening the US in all possible ways and favor the emergence of a multipolar world order. With the American ruling elite America is not true to itself and its values and is thus risking alienating the rest of the world against it.
September 4, 2025
We are not living up to the hype.
If you are early In your journey to learning about the USA in relation to the rest of the world, this book will provide so many intelligent guides to follow to what you want to learn. Sachs cuts away the daily propaganda. If you want to know what happened to your slice of the American Dream, his analysis may give you a chance to understand what happened. If you are already aware of the melting of the country, Sachs works to provide context.
If you are early In your journey to learning about the USA in relation to the rest of the world, this book will provide so many intelligent guides to follow to what you want to learn. Sachs cuts away the daily propaganda. If you want to know what happened to your slice of the American Dream, his analysis may give you a chance to understand what happened. If you are already aware of the melting of the country, Sachs works to provide context.
November 4, 2024
Nice to see that traditionally trained Harvard economists are seeing the necessity of politics and human relations in their economical outlooks that characterise the world. Sachs balances writing on topics that are heavily propagandized in American and the identities created around it, to deliver truths that are absent in a way some of these sensitive identities can tolerate.
September 24, 2024
Very interesting time to read this book! Recommend.
Be aware that occasionally there can be some dense economic sections if you are listening on audible and have trouble hearing strings of numbers without seeing them on print, like I do.
Be aware that occasionally there can be some dense economic sections if you are listening on audible and have trouble hearing strings of numbers without seeing them on print, like I do.
March 24, 2025
This is one of the best ways forward for the World
Jeffrey Sachs writes an immensely readable guide to foreign policy for ALL countries of the world. World leaders - politicians, diplomats, generals, billionaires, follow his recommendations now. Trump should too.
Jeffrey Sachs writes an immensely readable guide to foreign policy for ALL countries of the world. World leaders - politicians, diplomats, generals, billionaires, follow his recommendations now. Trump should too.
March 30, 2025
Book is relatively accurate objective and level-headed read of the current american political sphere and economy until about 75% of the way through. It then takes a turn and goes off on an agenda and feels as though this portion was written by a different author.
December 10, 2018
This was book 68 of 2018. It was good stuff.
September 27, 2019
The author is brilliant. I agree with everything he says. I did before I listened to the audio book. Very anti-Trump, but aren't we all. Nothing new here. The focus is on economics.
December 8, 2019
Excellent book about the future US foriegn policy should take.
April 20, 2020
If you're interested in a progressive vision for US foreign policy, one that includes the Sustainable Development Goals, then this is the book for you.
April 30, 2020
we need policies that are smart, sustainable, and fair...Sachs touches on many good ideas the U.S. should be implementing.
May 12, 2020
Very good book to understand how Mr Trump is undermining the leadership of the US
September 26, 2020
well written. The general idea of the book is to pursue creating a world of international options rather than polarity/conflict with china
January 21, 2021
Excellent and objective critique about American politics.
May 11, 2021
Wish I would have read this in 2018!
April 7, 2022
Good, clear and succinct message. I enjoyed it. Though at times Sachs hatred for Trump shone through, causing the professionalism of his message to slip.
October 6, 2024
A compelling case by a brilliant mind for massive change in American foreign policy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews