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The New World Disorder and the Indian Imperative
The world is in a state of disorder.
As we approach the end of the second decade of the twenty-first century, all about us is chaos. The rise of the East is viewed with scepticism and fear by the West. The international liberal order is facing a moment of crisis. With Darwinism (or the survival of the strongest and fittest) having guided the construction and management of international systems of governance for seven decades, it is no surprise that as sweeping change overtakes the world, there are no longer many takers for these arrangements. Globalization is confronted by economic nationalism. Strong leaders are exploiting the grievances of citizens (whether imagined or real) to discard global ideals and champion local interests. And the prospects of a ‘global village’, of the world coming ever closer together, seem to be in reversal. A zero-sum approach to development and the securitization of growth are creating new potential for conflict at a time when the institutions of global governance are weaker than ever before.
The New World Disorder and the Indian Imperative is a major study of this new world order. In tracing the roots of our current predicaments to the inequity of the post-war international structure, it explains the situation that obtains at present. The book identifies the new actors and ideas that will emerge from the remnants of the old dispensation to script the architecture of the twenty-first century. India, the authors argue, has a major role to play in shaping the regimes of the future given its size, growing clout, and stake in practically every major multilateral organization. India’s sustained commitment to constitutional democracy and its unique identity as a non-hegemonic global power will be central to its leadership role.
In today’s multipolar, contested, and uncertain world, India may well be the only country with the credentials and capability to script an equitable ethic for a new international order.
As we approach the end of the second decade of the twenty-first century, all about us is chaos. The rise of the East is viewed with scepticism and fear by the West. The international liberal order is facing a moment of crisis. With Darwinism (or the survival of the strongest and fittest) having guided the construction and management of international systems of governance for seven decades, it is no surprise that as sweeping change overtakes the world, there are no longer many takers for these arrangements. Globalization is confronted by economic nationalism. Strong leaders are exploiting the grievances of citizens (whether imagined or real) to discard global ideals and champion local interests. And the prospects of a ‘global village’, of the world coming ever closer together, seem to be in reversal. A zero-sum approach to development and the securitization of growth are creating new potential for conflict at a time when the institutions of global governance are weaker than ever before.
The New World Disorder and the Indian Imperative is a major study of this new world order. In tracing the roots of our current predicaments to the inequity of the post-war international structure, it explains the situation that obtains at present. The book identifies the new actors and ideas that will emerge from the remnants of the old dispensation to script the architecture of the twenty-first century. India, the authors argue, has a major role to play in shaping the regimes of the future given its size, growing clout, and stake in practically every major multilateral organization. India’s sustained commitment to constitutional democracy and its unique identity as a non-hegemonic global power will be central to its leadership role.
In today’s multipolar, contested, and uncertain world, India may well be the only country with the credentials and capability to script an equitable ethic for a new international order.
- GenresPoliticsIndiaNonfiction
292 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2020
78 people are currently reading
500 people want to read
About the author
Shashi Tharoor
77 books3,074 followersShashi Tharoor is a member of the Indian Parliament from the Thiruvananthapuram constituency in Kerala. He previously served as the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public Information and as the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs.
He is also a prolific author, columnist, journalist and a human rights advocate.
He has served on the Board of Overseers of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He is also an adviser to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva and a Fellow of the New York Institute of the Humanities at New York University. He has also served as a trustee of the Aspen Institute, and the Advisory of the Indo-American Arts Council, the American India Foundation, the World Policy Journal, the Virtue Foundation and the human rights organization Breakthrough He is also a Patron of the Dubai Modern High School and the managing trustee of the Chandran Tharoor Foundation which he founded with his family and friends in the name of his late father, Chandran Tharoor.
Tharoor has written numerous books in English. Most of his literary creations are centred on Indian themes and they are markedly “Indo-nostalgic.” Perhaps his most famous work is The Great Indian Novel, published in 1989, in which he uses the narrative and theme of the famous Indian epic Mahabharata to weave a satirical story of Indian life in a non-linear mode with the characters drawn from the Indian Independence Movement. His novel Show Business (1992) was made into the film 'Bollywood'(1994). The late Ismail Merchant had announced his wish to make a film of Tharoor’s novel Riot shortly before Merchant’s death in 2005.
Tharoor has been a highly-regarded columnist in each of India's three best-known English-language newspapers, most recently for The Hindu newspaper (2001–2008) and in a weekly column, “Shashi on Sunday,” in the Times of India (January 2007 – December 2008). Following his resignation as Minister of State for External Affairs, he began a fortnightly column on foreign policy issues in the "Deccan Chronicle". Previously he was a columnist for the Gentleman magazine and the Indian Express newspaper, as well as a frequent contributor to Newsweek International and the International Herald Tribune. His Op-Eds and book reviews have appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, amongst other papers.
Tharoor began writing at the age of 6 and his first published story appeared in the “Bharat Jyoti”, the Sunday edition of the "Free press Journal", in Mumbai at age 10. His World War II adventure novel Operation Bellows, inspired by the Biggles books, was serialized in the Junior Statesman starting a week before his 11th birthday. Each of his books has been a best-seller in India. The Great Indian Novel is currently in its 28th edition in India and his newest volume. The Elephant, the Tiger and the Cellphone has undergone seven hardback re-printings there.
Tharoor has lectured widely on India, and is often quoted for his observations, including, "India is not, as people keep calling it, an underdeveloped country, but rather, in the context of its history and cultural heritage, a highly developed one in an advanced state of decay.". He has also coined a memorable comparison of India's "thali" to the American "melting pot": "If America is a melting pot, then to me India is a thali--a selection of sumptuous dishes in different bowls. Each tastes different, and does not necessarily mix with the next, but they belong together on the same plate, and they complement each other in making the meal a satisfying repast."
He is also a prolific author, columnist, journalist and a human rights advocate.
He has served on the Board of Overseers of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He is also an adviser to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva and a Fellow of the New York Institute of the Humanities at New York University. He has also served as a trustee of the Aspen Institute, and the Advisory of the Indo-American Arts Council, the American India Foundation, the World Policy Journal, the Virtue Foundation and the human rights organization Breakthrough He is also a Patron of the Dubai Modern High School and the managing trustee of the Chandran Tharoor Foundation which he founded with his family and friends in the name of his late father, Chandran Tharoor.
Tharoor has written numerous books in English. Most of his literary creations are centred on Indian themes and they are markedly “Indo-nostalgic.” Perhaps his most famous work is The Great Indian Novel, published in 1989, in which he uses the narrative and theme of the famous Indian epic Mahabharata to weave a satirical story of Indian life in a non-linear mode with the characters drawn from the Indian Independence Movement. His novel Show Business (1992) was made into the film 'Bollywood'(1994). The late Ismail Merchant had announced his wish to make a film of Tharoor’s novel Riot shortly before Merchant’s death in 2005.
Tharoor has been a highly-regarded columnist in each of India's three best-known English-language newspapers, most recently for The Hindu newspaper (2001–2008) and in a weekly column, “Shashi on Sunday,” in the Times of India (January 2007 – December 2008). Following his resignation as Minister of State for External Affairs, he began a fortnightly column on foreign policy issues in the "Deccan Chronicle". Previously he was a columnist for the Gentleman magazine and the Indian Express newspaper, as well as a frequent contributor to Newsweek International and the International Herald Tribune. His Op-Eds and book reviews have appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, amongst other papers.
Tharoor began writing at the age of 6 and his first published story appeared in the “Bharat Jyoti”, the Sunday edition of the "Free press Journal", in Mumbai at age 10. His World War II adventure novel Operation Bellows, inspired by the Biggles books, was serialized in the Junior Statesman starting a week before his 11th birthday. Each of his books has been a best-seller in India. The Great Indian Novel is currently in its 28th edition in India and his newest volume. The Elephant, the Tiger and the Cellphone has undergone seven hardback re-printings there.
Tharoor has lectured widely on India, and is often quoted for his observations, including, "India is not, as people keep calling it, an underdeveloped country, but rather, in the context of its history and cultural heritage, a highly developed one in an advanced state of decay.". He has also coined a memorable comparison of India's "thali" to the American "melting pot": "If America is a melting pot, then to me India is a thali--a selection of sumptuous dishes in different bowls. Each tastes different, and does not necessarily mix with the next, but they belong together on the same plate, and they complement each other in making the meal a satisfying repast."
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 2, 2020
The world is in a state of disorder. Well, you bet. Here's a rough overview of what to expect from each chapter.
1. Global governance: touches upon the decline of the liberal world order, backlashes against globalization, rise of isolationism, xenophobia, loss of faith in the Bretton Woods. In brief, Francis Fukuyama’s ‘End of History’ is now a meme.
2. Warring for peace, power and bounties:
The legitimacy of UN is under strain as it is supposed to be the institution upholding international peace and security. Instead, it has become a mode of exercising state interests by the Permanent Members of the Security Council on others, while conveniently ignoring international regulations when things are not aligned to their geopolitical interests. Yet, we need UN as it holds a repository of institutional knowledge in maintaining international peace and security. So reform in UN is the need of the hour.
3. Sustained Debate over Sustainable Development: highlights the hypocrisies of the Global North in the context of sustainable development. Toxic colonialism (transfer of rubbish from North to South and West to East) and its impact on the climate and health of people in developing countries.
4. Making space in Cyberspace: found this chapter very interesting as it covers the history of politicization of internet governance. Discusses surveillance technologies and I would recommend watching the documentary Citizenfour and the movie Snowden (if you haven't already) while reading this chapter.
5. The Normative Foundations of a new world order: Rise of China 101
6. The Indian Imperative: I had expectations from this chapter but it was disappointing that it didn't offer much.
The off-putting part of the book is how much the authors repeat their observations. But overall a good read, considering the array of topics it covers.
Rating 3.5/5
1. Global governance: touches upon the decline of the liberal world order, backlashes against globalization, rise of isolationism, xenophobia, loss of faith in the Bretton Woods. In brief, Francis Fukuyama’s ‘End of History’ is now a meme.
2. Warring for peace, power and bounties:
The legitimacy of UN is under strain as it is supposed to be the institution upholding international peace and security. Instead, it has become a mode of exercising state interests by the Permanent Members of the Security Council on others, while conveniently ignoring international regulations when things are not aligned to their geopolitical interests. Yet, we need UN as it holds a repository of institutional knowledge in maintaining international peace and security. So reform in UN is the need of the hour.
3. Sustained Debate over Sustainable Development: highlights the hypocrisies of the Global North in the context of sustainable development. Toxic colonialism (transfer of rubbish from North to South and West to East) and its impact on the climate and health of people in developing countries.
4. Making space in Cyberspace: found this chapter very interesting as it covers the history of politicization of internet governance. Discusses surveillance technologies and I would recommend watching the documentary Citizenfour and the movie Snowden (if you haven't already) while reading this chapter.
5. The Normative Foundations of a new world order: Rise of China 101
6. The Indian Imperative: I had expectations from this chapter but it was disappointing that it didn't offer much.
The off-putting part of the book is how much the authors repeat their observations. But overall a good read, considering the array of topics it covers.
Rating 3.5/5
July 5, 2020
In depth analysis of emergence of the present world order and disorder. Could have been more succinct.
January 20, 2020
As a dedicated reader of Dr Shashi Tharoor, I was very disappointed last year when despite so much happening across the globe, he chose to write a book on theology. However, with the launch of this book coupled with ORF Director Samir Saran’s expertise, Tharoor has filled the void looming in the works of IR.
Divided into multiple section, the book begins with the case of globalization and how first world countries, most importantly the US, have only voted for it when it suited them and gone back on their so called principles when the situation got difficult. The authors unanimously say that it is third world countries like India that have actually followed the principle of globalization in its true sense.
The authors also shed light upon subjects like surveillance in authoritarian countries and the importance of social media. They affirm that as the importance of Asia keeps increasing in the 21st century, it is India who would play the major role of carrying ahead the legacy of a liberal order forward.
In terms of education and economy, the authors seem to suggest that we learn from our neighbour China.
The book is an important addition to international relations seen from an Indian perspective and would be a great read for anyone interested in world affairs and especially to students of politics.
Divided into multiple section, the book begins with the case of globalization and how first world countries, most importantly the US, have only voted for it when it suited them and gone back on their so called principles when the situation got difficult. The authors unanimously say that it is third world countries like India that have actually followed the principle of globalization in its true sense.
The authors also shed light upon subjects like surveillance in authoritarian countries and the importance of social media. They affirm that as the importance of Asia keeps increasing in the 21st century, it is India who would play the major role of carrying ahead the legacy of a liberal order forward.
In terms of education and economy, the authors seem to suggest that we learn from our neighbour China.
The book is an important addition to international relations seen from an Indian perspective and would be a great read for anyone interested in world affairs and especially to students of politics.
June 27, 2020
As a Diplomat, Tharoor has provided a good understanding of the foreign policies and dynamics of the world, as a politician lacks a sincere attempt to detail out India's Imperative under PM Modi.
The interesting fact that this book brings is the post 2008 world and being the key factor in changing the political dynamics from liberal order to nationalism and the impact on Globalization.
This book provides a view on shifting of the world order from west to east and addresses some of the key themes around Globalisation, Climate change and internet freedom, how these are key imperatives for defining the new world order. It articulates the foreign policies and the political spectrum long term vision required to change the order. I liked the last chapter where he focuses on the Indian imperative, geographic position giving it an edge and play a critical part in the changing world dynamics.
The interesting fact that this book brings is the post 2008 world and being the key factor in changing the political dynamics from liberal order to nationalism and the impact on Globalization.
This book provides a view on shifting of the world order from west to east and addresses some of the key themes around Globalisation, Climate change and internet freedom, how these are key imperatives for defining the new world order. It articulates the foreign policies and the political spectrum long term vision required to change the order. I liked the last chapter where he focuses on the Indian imperative, geographic position giving it an edge and play a critical part in the changing world dynamics.
June 23, 2020
Chapters on cyberspace and China's power rise and politics are quite good. Though felt repetitive on many segments. Could have been trimmed.
March 17, 2021
The book explores the post WW2 international order that is being challenged with the current geoeconomic and geopolitical scenario.
It argues that the current disorder in the world is in part also a predictable outcome of the global institutions setup post WW2.
It goes on to explore how colonial power structures were (are) still strongly maintained through institutions such as the World Bank, IMF etc. and the inconsistencies if not strong oppositions that the developed nations have shown historically shown to tackle climate change in an equitable way. It explores how, countries that have been left out on the table of international orders such as China, India are simple growing, not to be ignored Furthermore , it explains he rise of China, it's aspirations in the world order, climate change and other 21st century problems and how the institutions of the post war 20th century are unable to tackle these.
The final chapter explores how India can play the balancing role in a multipolar world and hints at the larger aspirations it must set.
All in all, a good engaging read for someone who would want to know the global order from the perspective of a post colonial developing country
It argues that the current disorder in the world is in part also a predictable outcome of the global institutions setup post WW2.
It goes on to explore how colonial power structures were (are) still strongly maintained through institutions such as the World Bank, IMF etc. and the inconsistencies if not strong oppositions that the developed nations have shown historically shown to tackle climate change in an equitable way. It explores how, countries that have been left out on the table of international orders such as China, India are simple growing, not to be ignored Furthermore , it explains he rise of China, it's aspirations in the world order, climate change and other 21st century problems and how the institutions of the post war 20th century are unable to tackle these.
The final chapter explores how India can play the balancing role in a multipolar world and hints at the larger aspirations it must set.
All in all, a good engaging read for someone who would want to know the global order from the perspective of a post colonial developing country
September 29, 2020
Mr. Tharoor and Mr. Saran have raised some excellent points as to why the UN hasn't been the agency of global governance that it should have been and was supposed to be. The writers also highlight how the biases come to play in the UN in a superfluous manner - so much so that much in certain places the points may sound tad repetitive.
Don't get me wrong, they provide ample examples regarding this skewed balance - it could be inclusion of 5 countries only in the Security Council, which does not cover the geography to be saying they're global enough. It could be how the developed coubtries (Global North) are openly non-adherent to the environmental regulations and expect the developing (Global South) to be now mitigating the issues that they have and are still cause for. It also could be wars & the distorted logic behind them, and technology & its uneven distribution.
It was indeed an enlightening read if you can overcome the facts that there's some amount of devotion shown towards the Indian National Congress and also that one of the writers has a questionable past.
Don't get me wrong, they provide ample examples regarding this skewed balance - it could be inclusion of 5 countries only in the Security Council, which does not cover the geography to be saying they're global enough. It could be how the developed coubtries (Global North) are openly non-adherent to the environmental regulations and expect the developing (Global South) to be now mitigating the issues that they have and are still cause for. It also could be wars & the distorted logic behind them, and technology & its uneven distribution.
It was indeed an enlightening read if you can overcome the facts that there's some amount of devotion shown towards the Indian National Congress and also that one of the writers has a questionable past.
January 22, 2022
ഇരുപതാം നൂറ്റാണ്ടിന്റെ അവസാനകാലത്തെയും ഇരുപത്തിയൊന്നാം നൂറ്റാണ്ടിന്റെ തുടക്കത്തിലെയും ആഗോളഭരണകൂടങ്ങളുടെ സങ്കീര്ണതകളെ പഠിക്കുകയും അവയ്ക്കുള്ള പരിഹാരങ്ങള് നിര്ദേശിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്ന പുസ്തകം. വിഷയങ്ങളെ വളരെ ഗൗരവപരമായി നോക്കി കാണുന്നു. ലോകസമാധാനം, അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര സാമ്പത്തിക-സുരക്ഷാ നയങ്ങള്, ആഗോള വികസന അജന്ഡ, സൈബർ സ്പേസ്, ആഗോളവത്കരണം, നയതന്ത്രം, തീവ്രവാദം, ചൈനയുടെ വളര്ച്ച, സമകാലികകാലത്ത് ഇന്ത്യയുടെ പ്രസക്തി എന്നീ വിഷയങ്ങള് ഇതില് അവതരിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. ആഗോളതലത്തില് നിലവിലിരിക്കുന്ന പ്രതിസന്ധികള്ക്ക് പരിഹാരം കണ്ടെത്തേണ്ടതും പുതിയ ലോകത്തിന് നേതൃത്വം നൽകേണ്ടതും ഇന്ത്യയാണെന്നും പറയുന്നു. അവയിലേക്കു വിരൽ ചൂണ്ടുന്ന കണ്ടെത്തലുകളെ ഈ പുസ്തകത്തില് അവതരിപ്പിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു.
October 23, 2022
A brilliant thesis on the current world order and the state of international governance. The book explores the factors leading to and relevance of international institutions in the present and for building a peaceful and prosperous future, but at the same time provides a plethora of examples where current guardians of international order failed the world under the guise of national security and humanitarian causes, chosen selectively, to promote their own self interests. Book concludes with a comprehensive SWOT analysis of India for its stake to claim as a global rule maker of the future.
A must read for anyone aspiring to be or imagining themselves as a global citizen.
A must read for anyone aspiring to be or imagining themselves as a global citizen.
March 15, 2020
The book gives the reader a good bird's eye view of India's place on the world stage, and briefly looks at future trajectories.
The "Indian Imperative" aspect is really only the last few pages of the book.
Samir Saran's views come through, though I would imagine they've been tempered by Shashi Tharoor's diplomatic editing. Perhaps this process goes both ways, keeping the book from leaning either left or right.
A good, compact read overall.
The "Indian Imperative" aspect is really only the last few pages of the book.
Samir Saran's views come through, though I would imagine they've been tempered by Shashi Tharoor's diplomatic editing. Perhaps this process goes both ways, keeping the book from leaning either left or right.
A good, compact read overall.
October 26, 2020
Decent book for knowing the daunting problems of today's global governance. Provide solutions and the role India can play in the changing winds of global priorities.
Cons:
Repetition of facts and figures (sometimes the very sentence is copied in multiple chapters) making redundancy.
Pros:
Value addition material for exam aspirants with (as always) noval and catchy vocabulary.
Cons:
Repetition of facts and figures (sometimes the very sentence is copied in multiple chapters) making redundancy.
Pros:
Value addition material for exam aspirants with (as always) noval and catchy vocabulary.
October 26, 2020
A summary of US, china, Europe(mostly britain) and India relationship in the past/future role in global politics with the hint of UN and all the non-UN summits
March 5, 2021
An excellent book covering every aspect of issues related to global governance and need for rule based international order in present times.
September 9, 2021
An average read. The book seems more of Samir Saran and less of Shashi Tharoor. Covers how the world is realigning to Asia and India due to its plural and democratic nature is central to it.
February 26, 2022
This is one of the most complex and highly articulated books I have read so far. At the end of the book, you can understand about international equity and its role among countries.
April 21, 2022
ഈ പുസ്തകം ലോക മഹായുദ്ധത്തിനു ശേഷം ഉള്ള ലോകത്തെയും , ഐക്യ രാഷ്ട്ര സഭ,IMF,World Bank, cyberspace , തീവ്രവാദം എല്ലാം ചർച്ച ചെയ്യുന്നു. കൂടാതെ ഇപ്പൊൾ സൂപ്പർ പവർ അക്കാൻ ശ്രമിക്കുന്ന ചൈനയെ പറ്റിയും ശശി തരൂരും സമീർ സരനും വിശദികരികുന്ന്.
ചൈനാ നടത്തിയ നിക്ഷേപത്തിൻ്റെ കുടുകിൽ പെട്ട ശ്രീലങ്കയെ പറ്റി ഉള്ള വാർത്തകൾ നമ്മൾ കഴിഞ്ഞ കുറച്ച് നാളുകൾക്ക് മുൻപ് ദൃശ്യ മാധ്യമങ്ങൾ വഴി അറിഞ്ഞിരുന്നല്ലോ? B and I initiative വഴി പുതിയ പട്ട് പാത നിർമിക്കുക എന്ന ലക്ഷ്യംവെച്ച് കൊണ്ട് ചൈന ആഫ്രിക്കൻ,ഏഷ്യൻ രാജ്യങ്ങളിൽ വൻ നിക്ഷേപം നടത്തുക അണ്. അതിൻ്റെ പലിശയും കുട്ട് പലിശയും ആയി കോടികൾ ഈ രാജ്യങ്ങൾ ചൈനക്ക് നൽകുവാൻ തന്നെ ഉണ്ട്. ചൈനാ ഒരു പുതിയ കൊളോണിയൽ ശക്തി ആകുവാൻ ഉള്ള തയാറെടുപ്പ് നടത്തുകയാണെന്ന് നിസംശയം പറയാം.
കുറച്ചിടങ്ങളിൽ അവർത്തന സ്വാഭാവം ഉണ്ടെങ്കിലും, നല്ല അറിവ് നൽകുന്ന ഒരു പുസ്തകം അണ് ഇത്.
ചൈനാ നടത്തിയ നിക്ഷേപത്തിൻ്റെ കുടുകിൽ പെട്ട ശ്രീലങ്കയെ പറ്റി ഉള്ള വാർത്തകൾ നമ്മൾ കഴിഞ്ഞ കുറച്ച് നാളുകൾക്ക് മുൻപ് ദൃശ്യ മാധ്യമങ്ങൾ വഴി അറിഞ്ഞിരുന്നല്ലോ? B and I initiative വഴി പുതിയ പട്ട് പാത നിർമിക്കുക എന്ന ലക്ഷ്യംവെച്ച് കൊണ്ട് ചൈന ആഫ്രിക്കൻ,ഏഷ്യൻ രാജ്യങ്ങളിൽ വൻ നിക്ഷേപം നടത്തുക അണ്. അതിൻ്റെ പലിശയും കുട്ട് പലിശയും ആയി കോടികൾ ഈ രാജ്യങ്ങൾ ചൈനക്ക് നൽകുവാൻ തന്നെ ഉണ്ട്. ചൈനാ ഒരു പുതിയ കൊളോണിയൽ ശക്തി ആകുവാൻ ഉള്ള തയാറെടുപ്പ് നടത്തുകയാണെന്ന് നിസംശയം പറയാം.
കുറച്ചിടങ്ങളിൽ അവർത്തന സ്വാഭാവം ഉണ്ടെങ്കിലും, നല്ല അറിവ് നൽകുന്ന ഒരു പുസ്തകം അണ് ഇത്.
July 5, 2020
I would rate it at 3, many of the instances on PM Narendra Modi felt a bit rhetoric, like after his coming to power the freedom has gone, minorities in fear, don't blame him, it's his point of view & being a member of INC such biases are quite normal, overall it gives a good picture of the rise of China & how far India & how far can we reach.
Overall a decent read
Overall a decent read
November 24, 2021
Update: In Chapter 3, 'Sustained Debate Over Sustainable Development', in the paragraph discussing how industrialisation in the North was fueled by resources extracted from the South, a Cecil Rhodes quote is helpfully provided to 'summarise the philosophy behind the conquest' - "We must find new lands from which we can easily obtain raw materials and… exploit the cheap slave labour…from the natives…the colonies would also provide a dumping ground for the surplus goods produced in our factories.".
Perfectly tailor-made. The reference provided cites an article titled "Rhodes Less Trampled" (where I went not for knowledge, but for the pun)
It begins: "The Scrapbook has long been a connoisseur of bogus quotations", and ends with Paul Thomas Murphy's findings on how the quote was born in a rather different form in W. T. Stead's semi fictional work which went through a Chinese whispers-esque ride, ending in 1976 (with the present form) where someone apparently paraphrased it maliciously to accomodate convenient phrases like "cheap slave labour".
The veracity of Murphy's findings can certainly be called into question again, but the fact remains: if the quote has indeed been sourced from the referenced article, how blind do you have to be to cite an article that is debunking the very quote you're using yourself? That's some shoddy work right there, probably on the part of the assistants, which naturally enough makes all other "truths" questionable.
Original review:
Incredibly rewarding, but fairly dense and often times repetitive. I would however add that I did appreciate the liberal use of direct quotes and stats which constitute a large portion of that bulk, and the repetition made it seem like an academic lecture - which I also liked.
Much of what is discussed is frequently in the news, for example the parts on China in the context of BRI and South China Sea - which makes it familiar, but the additional historical perspective provided here helps to develop a richer understanding.
This is definitely one of those books that I'd read twice - once to read through the entire book and see how the different domains of internet, environment and the like are connected, and once more to individually read the chapters in isolation, and spend more time on the references which have been amply cited.
Perfectly tailor-made. The reference provided cites an article titled "Rhodes Less Trampled" (where I went not for knowledge, but for the pun)
It begins: "The Scrapbook has long been a connoisseur of bogus quotations", and ends with Paul Thomas Murphy's findings on how the quote was born in a rather different form in W. T. Stead's semi fictional work which went through a Chinese whispers-esque ride, ending in 1976 (with the present form) where someone apparently paraphrased it maliciously to accomodate convenient phrases like "cheap slave labour".
The veracity of Murphy's findings can certainly be called into question again, but the fact remains: if the quote has indeed been sourced from the referenced article, how blind do you have to be to cite an article that is debunking the very quote you're using yourself? That's some shoddy work right there, probably on the part of the assistants, which naturally enough makes all other "truths" questionable.
Original review:
Incredibly rewarding, but fairly dense and often times repetitive. I would however add that I did appreciate the liberal use of direct quotes and stats which constitute a large portion of that bulk, and the repetition made it seem like an academic lecture - which I also liked.
Much of what is discussed is frequently in the news, for example the parts on China in the context of BRI and South China Sea - which makes it familiar, but the additional historical perspective provided here helps to develop a richer understanding.
This is definitely one of those books that I'd read twice - once to read through the entire book and see how the different domains of internet, environment and the like are connected, and once more to individually read the chapters in isolation, and spend more time on the references which have been amply cited.
April 19, 2020
Classic Shashi Tharoor,but a little more bland compared to other books on Geopolitics
September 20, 2020
It’s an extremely long and not the kind of book one expected from Dr Tharoor. A good book for the foreign policy followers.
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