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The Power of Crisis: How Three Threats – and Our Response – Will Change the World
New York Times Bestseller
Renowned political scientist Ian Bremmer draws lessons from global challenges of the past 100 years—including the pandemic—to show how we can respond to three great crises unfolding over the next decade.
In this revelatory, unnerving, and ultimately hopeful book, Bremmer details how domestic and international conflicts leave us unprepared for a trio of looming crises—global health emergencies, transformative climate change, and the AI revolution. Today, Americans cannot reach consensus on any significant political issue, and US and Chinese leaders behave as if they’re locked in a new Cold War. We are squandering opportunities to meet the challenges that will soon confront us all.
In coming years, humanity will face viruses deadlier and more infectious than Covid. Intensifying climate change will put tens of millions of refugees in flight and require us to reimagine how we live our daily lives. Most dangerous of all, new technologies will reshape the geopolitical order, disrupting our livelihoods and destabilizing our societies faster than we can grasp and address their implications.
The good news? Some farsighted political leaders, business decision-makers, and individual citizens are already collaborating to tackle all these crises. The question that should keep us awake is whether they will work well and quickly enough to limit the fallout—and, most importantly, whether we can use these crises to innovate our way toward a better world.
Drawing on strategies both time-honored and cutting-edge, from the Marshall Plan to the Green New Deal, T he P ower of C risis provides a roadmap for surviving—even thriving in—the 21st century. Bremmer shows governments, corporations, and every concerned citizen how we can use these coming crises to create the worldwide prosperity and opportunity that 20th-century globalism promised but failed to deliver.
Renowned political scientist Ian Bremmer draws lessons from global challenges of the past 100 years—including the pandemic—to show how we can respond to three great crises unfolding over the next decade.
In this revelatory, unnerving, and ultimately hopeful book, Bremmer details how domestic and international conflicts leave us unprepared for a trio of looming crises—global health emergencies, transformative climate change, and the AI revolution. Today, Americans cannot reach consensus on any significant political issue, and US and Chinese leaders behave as if they’re locked in a new Cold War. We are squandering opportunities to meet the challenges that will soon confront us all.
In coming years, humanity will face viruses deadlier and more infectious than Covid. Intensifying climate change will put tens of millions of refugees in flight and require us to reimagine how we live our daily lives. Most dangerous of all, new technologies will reshape the geopolitical order, disrupting our livelihoods and destabilizing our societies faster than we can grasp and address their implications.
The good news? Some farsighted political leaders, business decision-makers, and individual citizens are already collaborating to tackle all these crises. The question that should keep us awake is whether they will work well and quickly enough to limit the fallout—and, most importantly, whether we can use these crises to innovate our way toward a better world.
Drawing on strategies both time-honored and cutting-edge, from the Marshall Plan to the Green New Deal, T he P ower of C risis provides a roadmap for surviving—even thriving in—the 21st century. Bremmer shows governments, corporations, and every concerned citizen how we can use these coming crises to create the worldwide prosperity and opportunity that 20th-century globalism promised but failed to deliver.
288 pages, Paperback
Published May 16, 2023
376 people are currently reading
2175 people want to read
About the author
Ian Bremmer
33 books367 followersIan Bremmer (born November 12, 1969) is an American political scientist specializing in US foreign policy, states in transition, and global political risk. He is the president and founder of Eurasia Group, a leading global political risk research and consulting firm, and a professor at Columbia University. Eurasia Group provides financial, corporate, and government clients with information and insight on how political developments move markets. Bremmer is of Armenian and German descent.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
June 17, 2022
The content is good, the analysis is profound and makes an interesting read.
The only issue is that... if you follow Ian Bremmer on Twitter and the sites he's most involved with, there's not much new you'll discover in the book. Which brings up another issue.
It's a good content -very good- but it's not as new. There's a latency between what's tweeted and all the steps that lead to publishing a book.
If it were possible, I'd split the score somehow: 5 stars for the quality of the content and Mr. Bremmer's work. And the overall 3 is for being just a synthesis of the same things published elsewhere earlier.
If you're not interested in social media, it'd be an easy 5 for the book. And a solid 5 for you, as well, for managing to keep away from social media.
The only issue is that... if you follow Ian Bremmer on Twitter and the sites he's most involved with, there's not much new you'll discover in the book. Which brings up another issue.
It's a good content -very good- but it's not as new. There's a latency between what's tweeted and all the steps that lead to publishing a book.
If it were possible, I'd split the score somehow: 5 stars for the quality of the content and Mr. Bremmer's work. And the overall 3 is for being just a synthesis of the same things published elsewhere earlier.
If you're not interested in social media, it'd be an easy 5 for the book. And a solid 5 for you, as well, for managing to keep away from social media.
May 12, 2022
An extended Economist or weekly newsmagazine amalgamation of current challenges facing the US and the world as it pertains to contagions, climate change and artificial intelligence. There is not anything particularly novel in Bremmer's insights but the book does serve as well-written synopsis of the problems we face as a society over the next several years.
May 23, 2022
This book gave me an existential crisis and then talked me down from it.
August 20, 2022
Amazon review
States the obvious over and over
Bremmer keeps saying the countries of the world must cooperate to solve global problems. Duh!
This book contains basic information on the big problems that everyone already knows. Nothing new here folks other than his quixotic exhortation for countries to collaborate and cooperate.
He does not say how existing geopolitical competition can be overcome. He merely says we must work together. Talk about Kumbayah! Waste of time.
John Simke
---
Bremmer distills down the crises facing humanity into easily readable and solvable problems. He takes the world view of the planet as a community that is being threatened by three dangers which no, one country can solve on their own.
Peter Levine
States the obvious over and over
Bremmer keeps saying the countries of the world must cooperate to solve global problems. Duh!
This book contains basic information on the big problems that everyone already knows. Nothing new here folks other than his quixotic exhortation for countries to collaborate and cooperate.
He does not say how existing geopolitical competition can be overcome. He merely says we must work together. Talk about Kumbayah! Waste of time.
John Simke
---
Bremmer distills down the crises facing humanity into easily readable and solvable problems. He takes the world view of the planet as a community that is being threatened by three dangers which no, one country can solve on their own.
Peter Levine
June 26, 2022
The threats are 1) world political order re USA vs China 2) climate crisis/migration and 3) technology/automation. Nothing new in the discussion.
May 28, 2022
Global unity is on the downturn, and the two greatest challenges to collective action today are the brokenness of the US partisan political system, and increasing US-China rivalry.
This book opens with an ice breaker question that Reagan asked Gorbechev: would Russia help is the US was attacked by aliens? It nicely introduces the premise of the book: that a good crisis is what the world needs to bring it together.
The first crisis the book looks at is COVID, and unfortunately this did not bring the world together. In fact, most countries guarded their own interests and this made the crisis worse, as new variants emerged from the developing world that had been denied vaccines and assistance.
The second crisis is climate change, which may be at a threshold now as most of the world has finally accepted that it is a problem that needs to be addressed. Not every country is equally committed, and some like Brazil still want to exploit their forests, but momentum is growing gradually.
So the book introduces the concept of a "goldilocks crisis", one that is just the right amount of difficulty, where everyone has enough stake to be willing to contribute to the solution. Just days before the book went to print, Russia invaded Ukraine, and in his subsequent writings, the author has labeled this as one such crisis that managed to bring NATO, at least, together, and most of the EU as well.
Overall, quite an interesting book, though I found it a little draggy, and much of the insights could be gotten by watching the authors YouTube channel or reading his LinkedIn articles. But here is neatly structured for optimal consumption.
This book opens with an ice breaker question that Reagan asked Gorbechev: would Russia help is the US was attacked by aliens? It nicely introduces the premise of the book: that a good crisis is what the world needs to bring it together.
The first crisis the book looks at is COVID, and unfortunately this did not bring the world together. In fact, most countries guarded their own interests and this made the crisis worse, as new variants emerged from the developing world that had been denied vaccines and assistance.
The second crisis is climate change, which may be at a threshold now as most of the world has finally accepted that it is a problem that needs to be addressed. Not every country is equally committed, and some like Brazil still want to exploit their forests, but momentum is growing gradually.
So the book introduces the concept of a "goldilocks crisis", one that is just the right amount of difficulty, where everyone has enough stake to be willing to contribute to the solution. Just days before the book went to print, Russia invaded Ukraine, and in his subsequent writings, the author has labeled this as one such crisis that managed to bring NATO, at least, together, and most of the EU as well.
Overall, quite an interesting book, though I found it a little draggy, and much of the insights could be gotten by watching the authors YouTube channel or reading his LinkedIn articles. But here is neatly structured for optimal consumption.
July 4, 2022
Books about where we are and where we possibly could be headed to have been written for decades. This one is no different. Some are full of language that stifles one's interest. Ian's book actually is an easy read and very relatable to what is taking place in the world today. The three threats he identifies, discusses and offers options of possible solutions make for an engrossing read. Generally non fiction books dry up and take time as they labor on, sometimes in monotony. When one really looks ahead in this world as to what is driving civilization and all its issues, these three themes do stick out as being critically important and worthy of global initiatives - global health threats - climate change threats and AI development and threats. Wrapping one self around these issues are paramount for our survival as a species with each having its own upside and downside. Collaboration on the part of nations are vital even with the fact that we are dealing with two distinct ideologies - one being a democratic way and the other the authoritarian way. Worth sinking your teeth into.
June 7, 2022
Excellent Synthesis of the Current State of the World.
I very much enjoyed hearing Ian Bremmer’s take on the intersection of current events, economics, and politics. This book is yet another exercise that provides perspective on the Status Quo, speculation on the near and distant future, and hypotheses for possible solutions to the challenges facing us and our children.
While some may dismiss his more optimistic scenarios, he makes a solid case for the crises we face and their consequences if they are not faced seriously and rationally. What I most appreciate is the global perspective he brings even though he admits to a Western bias, he is not an Ultra-Nationalist America Firster. All his solutions are based in hoped-for intelligent analysis and compromise.
Global Health, Climate Change, and AI and related, ever-evolving Technologies are our future and if we don’t take steps to address these crises, our future may be “poorer, more nasty, brutish, and short” than we have hoped.
I very much enjoyed hearing Ian Bremmer’s take on the intersection of current events, economics, and politics. This book is yet another exercise that provides perspective on the Status Quo, speculation on the near and distant future, and hypotheses for possible solutions to the challenges facing us and our children.
While some may dismiss his more optimistic scenarios, he makes a solid case for the crises we face and their consequences if they are not faced seriously and rationally. What I most appreciate is the global perspective he brings even though he admits to a Western bias, he is not an Ultra-Nationalist America Firster. All his solutions are based in hoped-for intelligent analysis and compromise.
Global Health, Climate Change, and AI and related, ever-evolving Technologies are our future and if we don’t take steps to address these crises, our future may be “poorer, more nasty, brutish, and short” than we have hoped.
July 3, 2022
Sometimes it takes a crisis to unite adversaries and motivate change. The author identifies three looming challenges that will require global solutions: Pandemics, transformative climate change, and the artificial-intelligence (AI) revolution. I was particularly interested in why Bremmer views AI as a challenge rather than a solution. He describes AI as perhaps the most onerous of the three crises because of its potential to reshape the geopolitical order, disrupt livelihoods and destabilize societies at a speed that is quicker than humankind can understand and react. The arguments laid out by the author will stay in your mind long after you read the final page.
August 28, 2022
A horribly researched book full of platitudes and ignoring contradictory facts. Reflects a Luddite view of the world and almost every solution is greater regulation, preferably international, with no recognition of practical challenges. The fact that Bremmer dismisses carbon capture technology while embracing driverless vehicles shows that the book is mostly just him writing down his preconceived notion’s rather than a serious discussion of the challenges facing the world.
June 2, 2022
Bremmer is an internationalist who views cooperation with regimes such as Communist China whose values we do not share and whose actions we disapprove of as necessary to overcome global health, climate, and technological threats to all humankind. I largely agree with him, but I would have liked to see a more in-depth discussion of the ethics of cooperating with an unethical foreign government.
May 28, 2022
Ian Bremerton is always remarkable for his insight and analysis of the goings on in the world. This book touches on many of the most important things we must concentrate on, or pay tremendous prices/crisis. It should be read by everyone that shares my concern with the short and long term future!
July 27, 2022
The Power of Crisis prepares us for a future where we need to focus on important issues. Bremmer focuses on three threats he thinks will affect the world the most in the next few decades: Political conflicts within the United States and against China, climate change, and disruptive technologies. He writes about how these crises will provide an opportunity for the world to unite against them. For me, the book does a great job of providing an optimistic, yet realistic view of how these problems will play out. Especially in a news cycle that constantly pushes fear and uncertainty.
What I mean by this, is that Bremmer offers solutions and propositions for how the world will tackle these challenges. Especially drawing from experience with events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Bremmer focuses on a global view of the future, but he also recognizes that some problems are more complex and difficult than many politicians think. He believes it is important to focus on solutions such as unity between the united states and China, in order to face these issues.
Bremmer’s main point is that sometimes it takes a crisis for governments and societies to wake up. Leading to better alliances, values, and practices that help unite us. This might sound grim, but his point of view is centered on a pragmatic and realistic view of how problems are solved by learning from history. I really recommend reading The Power of Crisis to form one’s own conclusion on how we can best prepare for these issues.
Final Score: 82/100
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What I mean by this, is that Bremmer offers solutions and propositions for how the world will tackle these challenges. Especially drawing from experience with events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Bremmer focuses on a global view of the future, but he also recognizes that some problems are more complex and difficult than many politicians think. He believes it is important to focus on solutions such as unity between the united states and China, in order to face these issues.
Bremmer’s main point is that sometimes it takes a crisis for governments and societies to wake up. Leading to better alliances, values, and practices that help unite us. This might sound grim, but his point of view is centered on a pragmatic and realistic view of how problems are solved by learning from history. I really recommend reading The Power of Crisis to form one’s own conclusion on how we can best prepare for these issues.
Final Score: 82/100
For more film, game, and book reviews follow me on:
▶️ YouTube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCpWCw5dV...
👨💻 Twitch - https://twitch.tv/grantnkeegan
Follow my channel Tomorrow Matters for technology, critical thinking, and environmentalism content:
▶️ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOKy...
📚 Official Site - https://tomorrowmatters.net
🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/TomorrowM4tters
📷 Instagram - https://instagram.com/tomorrow_matters_
🎶 Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@tomorrow_matters
🅿️ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/tomorrowmatters
August 31, 2022
While there are clearly some interesting thought shared here about the efficacy of looking to crises in order to noodle our way through some thorny problems I would pose that the author lays out all stories as springing from the world view that man is a perfectible being, which weakens each and every one of his arguments.
July 16, 2022
Bremmer clearly and convincingly outlines three crises facing mankind - pandemics similar of course to Covid; the climate crisis; and uncontrolled and unregulated technology - and makes the strong case that any of these threats could (and should) lead to a new understanding and cooperation amongst the world's nations (particularly the United States and China). He also describes what common actions could be taken without really upsetting the balance of power in the world - that is, China would not have to become a democracy nor should the United States turn a blind eye to China's human rights violations for them and other countries to cooperate more for everyone's interests.
Unfortunately, he uses the words "must," "should," "need to" etc which doesn't help much in telling us HOW the world is to be convinced to work together. Still, a very intelligent and well thought-out survey of threats facing the world and what the needed cooperation could look like. An important first step.
Unfortunately, he uses the words "must," "should," "need to" etc which doesn't help much in telling us HOW the world is to be convinced to work together. Still, a very intelligent and well thought-out survey of threats facing the world and what the needed cooperation could look like. An important first step.
May 6, 2025
Boy what a chore reading this book was and this book has aged very poorly.
This writer's political leanings dictate his opinions to the point where they become obnoxious.
Democrat to the core and suffering from acute TDS.
This dude still thinks segregation exists in the US and has a real issue with white Americans (another self loather perhaps?).
It's funny how these writers ironically are the dividers of America when most Americans of all races carry on, have multiracial friendships, and are rewarded by merit.
And ain't this fellow obsessed with Pandemics and climate change which are all control tools.
Bremmer loves to expound the virtues of China's response to Covid19 that destroyed millions of small businesses and how it took advantage of buying cheap assets when everything crashed ,then many governments were throwing around borrowed helicopter cash to restore the economy but didn't acknowledge that Covid19 as of 2025 is now seen almost universally as a human construct that was engineered to create such a crisis that elites in the WEF and China could and did take advantage of yet Bremmer couldn't or wouldn't even entertain that possibility.
Also I certainly don't need jet-setting ex politicians and billionaires with multiple waterfront homes hypocritically warning me about climate change and using failed computer models to incorrectly predict future gloom and doom weather patterns as they have always done.
What happened to the Kiribati "climate refugee" who wanted asylum in New Zealand in 2013 then sued when refused claiming his island would be underwater by 2028?
As of 2025 nothing has changed to his island i guess the modelling was wrong ...again, so watch out for the climate hyperbole crowd pushing outrageous agendas.
To his credit he does point out the shortcomings of China's leadership and regime but then goes on to inflate the death rate attributed to the man made Covid19 during the pandemic. For as we know today a Covid death was not necessarily that at all , as dying with or from Covid had no distinction and he needs to understand that these ineffective vaccines which he laughingly claimed when he repeated the mantra were "safe and effective" for a moving target and which saved nobody and in fact were net negative when looking at the myriad of initially hidden and unreported side effects.
3rd world nations without decent health systems and low vaccine rates survived perfectly well Mr Bremmer.
He then says the idea that vaccines have caused the recent explosion in autism we see today is a conspiracy theory yet he acknowledges the cancer explosion in smokers is what finally linked smoking to cancer, so he can't have it both ways and now in 2025 the Trump administration are investigating that vaccine/autism link finally.
At last Bremmer resorts to the debunked 2016 Russian election interference lie that he claims hurt Hillary Clinton and says the intelligence agencies gathered ample evidence yet Bremmer didn't produce any here yet paradoxically doesn't mention the help China overtly gives to the Democrats with their proxy cyber attacks and financial support of certain media.
This one pearler alone really sent this book down the toilet.
This writer's political leanings dictate his opinions to the point where they become obnoxious.
Democrat to the core and suffering from acute TDS.
This dude still thinks segregation exists in the US and has a real issue with white Americans (another self loather perhaps?).
It's funny how these writers ironically are the dividers of America when most Americans of all races carry on, have multiracial friendships, and are rewarded by merit.
And ain't this fellow obsessed with Pandemics and climate change which are all control tools.
Bremmer loves to expound the virtues of China's response to Covid19 that destroyed millions of small businesses and how it took advantage of buying cheap assets when everything crashed ,then many governments were throwing around borrowed helicopter cash to restore the economy but didn't acknowledge that Covid19 as of 2025 is now seen almost universally as a human construct that was engineered to create such a crisis that elites in the WEF and China could and did take advantage of yet Bremmer couldn't or wouldn't even entertain that possibility.
Also I certainly don't need jet-setting ex politicians and billionaires with multiple waterfront homes hypocritically warning me about climate change and using failed computer models to incorrectly predict future gloom and doom weather patterns as they have always done.
What happened to the Kiribati "climate refugee" who wanted asylum in New Zealand in 2013 then sued when refused claiming his island would be underwater by 2028?
As of 2025 nothing has changed to his island i guess the modelling was wrong ...again, so watch out for the climate hyperbole crowd pushing outrageous agendas.
To his credit he does point out the shortcomings of China's leadership and regime but then goes on to inflate the death rate attributed to the man made Covid19 during the pandemic. For as we know today a Covid death was not necessarily that at all , as dying with or from Covid had no distinction and he needs to understand that these ineffective vaccines which he laughingly claimed when he repeated the mantra were "safe and effective" for a moving target and which saved nobody and in fact were net negative when looking at the myriad of initially hidden and unreported side effects.
3rd world nations without decent health systems and low vaccine rates survived perfectly well Mr Bremmer.
He then says the idea that vaccines have caused the recent explosion in autism we see today is a conspiracy theory yet he acknowledges the cancer explosion in smokers is what finally linked smoking to cancer, so he can't have it both ways and now in 2025 the Trump administration are investigating that vaccine/autism link finally.
At last Bremmer resorts to the debunked 2016 Russian election interference lie that he claims hurt Hillary Clinton and says the intelligence agencies gathered ample evidence yet Bremmer didn't produce any here yet paradoxically doesn't mention the help China overtly gives to the Democrats with their proxy cyber attacks and financial support of certain media.
This one pearler alone really sent this book down the toilet.
September 14, 2022
1. China is authoritarian but set to become the biggest economy, and has human right issues. So America must compete with it.
2. Unfortunately the biggest issues of our time, climate change, AI and quantum computing requires America to work with China.
Climate change: poor countries will get it far worse. Refugee crises and war may ensue.
AI: China will control the world
Quantum computing: the winner will make all encryption useless, making other couriers vulnerable so World War 3.
His solution?
1. World Carbon Organisation to limit green house gas emission.
2. World Digital Organisation to set AI and Quantum computing standards
I wonder how this is even possible. One Pelosi visit-> China cutting all diplomatic dialogs + practice military enclosure of Taiwan -> America sells more arms to Taiwan + Taiwan asks America and Europe to censure China.
God saves our Earth!
2. Unfortunately the biggest issues of our time, climate change, AI and quantum computing requires America to work with China.
Climate change: poor countries will get it far worse. Refugee crises and war may ensue.
AI: China will control the world
Quantum computing: the winner will make all encryption useless, making other couriers vulnerable so World War 3.
His solution?
1. World Carbon Organisation to limit green house gas emission.
2. World Digital Organisation to set AI and Quantum computing standards
I wonder how this is even possible. One Pelosi visit-> China cutting all diplomatic dialogs + practice military enclosure of Taiwan -> America sells more arms to Taiwan + Taiwan asks America and Europe to censure China.
God saves our Earth!
August 27, 2024
In his 2022 book The Power of Crisis: How Three Threats – and Our Response – Will Change the World, author Ian Bremmer writes that “there’s no guarantee our world will survive the next fifty years.” Bremmer, as founder of the Eurasia Group, is a pretty credible guy. So, what’s he talking about?
Bremmer writes that over the next decade, we will face three major crises, “each of which might do more damage to our species than any other crisis in history.” These crises include a new global pandemic, unchecked climate change, and new, disruptive technologies. History has shown that often it takes a crisis to bring people together, thus his book’s title, “The Power of Crisis.” The world failed to meet this test with the Covid crisis. Can we learn from this? Can world leaders create a new international system to address all of these crises? Bremmer believes it’s possible, but questions if we can move at the speed that these crises necessitate. “Unless leaders of the world’s most important countries can build enough trust to work together on the threats we share, we will all suffer catastrophes.”
Bremmer details two current conflicts detrimental to global cooperation. The first is America’s dysfunctional political system. Americans now tend to think their most dangerous enemies are other Americans. The US is the only country “that can project political, economic, cultural, and military power into every region of the world. And it’s at war with itself.” Bremmer writes that widening wealth gaps are driving our dysfunction, and that money in politics is making things worse. Politicians are working to destroy American trust in media, and social media has worked to exacerbate suspicion and anger. Unless America’s conservatives and progressives can “learn to cooperate just enough to renew the country’s strength,” America will be unable to lead global efforts to solve these crises.
Conflict between the US and China is the second great threat for needed global cooperation. Bremmer writes that a new Cold War with China “would itself be a form of mutually assured destruction.” A war between the US and China “will make effective global cooperation impossible.” Bremmer writes extensively on China’s efforts at becoming an economic and political powerhouse, and their efforts to spread authoritarianism globally. China’s massive investments in new technologies, including cyberweapons, is especially threatening. But Bremmer writes that even though the US and China “won’t become allies anytime soon,” they “can step off the current collision course to become pragmatic partners.” Due to our economies already being tied together, Bremmer writes that the US and China can’t live without each other.
It's not a matter of if, but when a new pandemic will engulf us. “Scientists have discovered more than forty new lethal pathogens in the past half century that leapt from animals to humans,” and the pace of new discoveries is rising. Bremmer writes that our Covid failure was “the inevitable breakdown in international governance created by a fragmented world order.” Covid “produced far more finger-pointing than cooperation.” Effective global pandemic response requires investment, moral imagination and political will. Bremmer calls for a new international treaty for pandemic preparedness.
Bremmer writes extensively about the catastrophic risks that we face from climate change, including severe impact on farming, and increased draught and flooding. The lack of drinking water for hundreds of millions of people will lead to mass migration and tens of millions of “climate refugees.” Climate change threatens our collective future, and will drive an untold number of species into extinction. By 2070, nearly twenty percent of the earth’s surface will be too hot to support life. Damage from climate change will be far greater and last far longer than another global pandemic, yet “world leaders have done extraordinarily little to prepare.” Voters continue to prioritize “the economic needs of today over the climate needs of tomorrow.” Again, surviving climate change necessitates world leaders working together, with cooperation, compromise and coordination. Rich countries will need to absorb much of the cost. Bremmer calls for two key new global institutions. First is a World Carbon Organization, to discourage carbon emissions by making them more expensive. Second, Bremmer calls for the international expansion of the Green New Deal into a global Green Marshall Plan.
Bremmer believes that new, disruptive technologies are the greatest threat facing humans. These include automation, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, autonomous drones and cyberwarfare. We will soon see mass replacement of humans with machines in the workplace, especially with white collar jobs. “Entire economic sectors will disintegrate, and many forms of human labor will disappear.” We will see rapid growth of disinformation and digital propaganda. “Digital authoritarianism” will undermine democracy, with massive digital surveillance. Bremmer writes that “the greatest risk that AI presents is the possibility that one country will develop an insurmountable lead in its development, an achievement that would allow it monopolistic control over the world order,” which seems an outcome unlikely to promote peaceful cooperation against a common crisis. China currently has an advantage over the US with AI.
Bremmer writes how cyberwarfare has “leveled the playing field” with military weapons. Russia, China, Iran and North Korea have already developed “offensive cyber-capabilities that cut deeply into US advantages.” These weapons can be powerful enough to shut down a country’s critical infrastructure, yet can be kept hidden, making them especially dangerous. The risk of falling behind with cyberweapons could lead to a preemptive strike, and even trigger World War III. Arguably more likely, these new technologies could be the driver of a new Cold War. To avoid this, again, countries need to cooperate. Bremmer calls for a new World Data Organization to create international rules for data management, and an “annual UN Politics of Technology Summit.” America’s goal should be not to “defeat” China, but to get China to work with the rest of the world.
So, are things hopeless or can we establish “practical cooperation on a few important issues,” as Bremmer puts it? Bremmer hopes we can, in that “given the stakes, if we fail, we won’t get another chance.” I was impressed with Bremmer’s ability to succinctly define complex topics, and found his arguments compelling. Hopefully global leaders will too.
Bremmer writes that over the next decade, we will face three major crises, “each of which might do more damage to our species than any other crisis in history.” These crises include a new global pandemic, unchecked climate change, and new, disruptive technologies. History has shown that often it takes a crisis to bring people together, thus his book’s title, “The Power of Crisis.” The world failed to meet this test with the Covid crisis. Can we learn from this? Can world leaders create a new international system to address all of these crises? Bremmer believes it’s possible, but questions if we can move at the speed that these crises necessitate. “Unless leaders of the world’s most important countries can build enough trust to work together on the threats we share, we will all suffer catastrophes.”
Bremmer details two current conflicts detrimental to global cooperation. The first is America’s dysfunctional political system. Americans now tend to think their most dangerous enemies are other Americans. The US is the only country “that can project political, economic, cultural, and military power into every region of the world. And it’s at war with itself.” Bremmer writes that widening wealth gaps are driving our dysfunction, and that money in politics is making things worse. Politicians are working to destroy American trust in media, and social media has worked to exacerbate suspicion and anger. Unless America’s conservatives and progressives can “learn to cooperate just enough to renew the country’s strength,” America will be unable to lead global efforts to solve these crises.
Conflict between the US and China is the second great threat for needed global cooperation. Bremmer writes that a new Cold War with China “would itself be a form of mutually assured destruction.” A war between the US and China “will make effective global cooperation impossible.” Bremmer writes extensively on China’s efforts at becoming an economic and political powerhouse, and their efforts to spread authoritarianism globally. China’s massive investments in new technologies, including cyberweapons, is especially threatening. But Bremmer writes that even though the US and China “won’t become allies anytime soon,” they “can step off the current collision course to become pragmatic partners.” Due to our economies already being tied together, Bremmer writes that the US and China can’t live without each other.
It's not a matter of if, but when a new pandemic will engulf us. “Scientists have discovered more than forty new lethal pathogens in the past half century that leapt from animals to humans,” and the pace of new discoveries is rising. Bremmer writes that our Covid failure was “the inevitable breakdown in international governance created by a fragmented world order.” Covid “produced far more finger-pointing than cooperation.” Effective global pandemic response requires investment, moral imagination and political will. Bremmer calls for a new international treaty for pandemic preparedness.
Bremmer writes extensively about the catastrophic risks that we face from climate change, including severe impact on farming, and increased draught and flooding. The lack of drinking water for hundreds of millions of people will lead to mass migration and tens of millions of “climate refugees.” Climate change threatens our collective future, and will drive an untold number of species into extinction. By 2070, nearly twenty percent of the earth’s surface will be too hot to support life. Damage from climate change will be far greater and last far longer than another global pandemic, yet “world leaders have done extraordinarily little to prepare.” Voters continue to prioritize “the economic needs of today over the climate needs of tomorrow.” Again, surviving climate change necessitates world leaders working together, with cooperation, compromise and coordination. Rich countries will need to absorb much of the cost. Bremmer calls for two key new global institutions. First is a World Carbon Organization, to discourage carbon emissions by making them more expensive. Second, Bremmer calls for the international expansion of the Green New Deal into a global Green Marshall Plan.
Bremmer believes that new, disruptive technologies are the greatest threat facing humans. These include automation, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, autonomous drones and cyberwarfare. We will soon see mass replacement of humans with machines in the workplace, especially with white collar jobs. “Entire economic sectors will disintegrate, and many forms of human labor will disappear.” We will see rapid growth of disinformation and digital propaganda. “Digital authoritarianism” will undermine democracy, with massive digital surveillance. Bremmer writes that “the greatest risk that AI presents is the possibility that one country will develop an insurmountable lead in its development, an achievement that would allow it monopolistic control over the world order,” which seems an outcome unlikely to promote peaceful cooperation against a common crisis. China currently has an advantage over the US with AI.
Bremmer writes how cyberwarfare has “leveled the playing field” with military weapons. Russia, China, Iran and North Korea have already developed “offensive cyber-capabilities that cut deeply into US advantages.” These weapons can be powerful enough to shut down a country’s critical infrastructure, yet can be kept hidden, making them especially dangerous. The risk of falling behind with cyberweapons could lead to a preemptive strike, and even trigger World War III. Arguably more likely, these new technologies could be the driver of a new Cold War. To avoid this, again, countries need to cooperate. Bremmer calls for a new World Data Organization to create international rules for data management, and an “annual UN Politics of Technology Summit.” America’s goal should be not to “defeat” China, but to get China to work with the rest of the world.
So, are things hopeless or can we establish “practical cooperation on a few important issues,” as Bremmer puts it? Bremmer hopes we can, in that “given the stakes, if we fail, we won’t get another chance.” I was impressed with Bremmer’s ability to succinctly define complex topics, and found his arguments compelling. Hopefully global leaders will too.
June 19, 2022
As always, Ian Bremmer has another incredibly well thought out book discussing the need for cooperation to address the world's biggest issues. He does not ignore, however, why people can be so disenchanted with globalism and he explains it well. He discusses the issues of climate change, US / China relations and the speed of technology changes as the key challenges for our future.
Because the book came out right as Russia was invading Ukraine he did write an "afterword" which covered his initial thoughts on that. My guess is there will be future editions once he has his full thoughts together and it develops more. Just an incredible read.
Because the book came out right as Russia was invading Ukraine he did write an "afterword" which covered his initial thoughts on that. My guess is there will be future editions once he has his full thoughts together and it develops more. Just an incredible read.
July 19, 2022
Ian Bremmer is a well-known and respected journalist. Deeply concerned by the split in American political culture, he advocates leveraging the current crisis to face the spectrum of issues facing the United States - and the world. He singles out three priorities: societal disrupton globally due to COVID, the already evident and growing harm from climate change, and what he calls the unexpected impact of new technologies. He calls on us and the world to use these challenges to work together, not in unrestrained competition, to move from crisis to effective management of these challenges.
I cannot argue with his state of mind or his list of critical issues, though I would highlight environmental migration and the still yawning wealth gap between rich and poor within our own society and globally as worth examining separately. For me, he is just too breathless. Often in desperate times, people turn to desperate measures. His solution set picks up this tone and is more an appeal than a prescription, and this tone takes away from a key point of his - that time continues to work against us in making a better tomorrow.
I cannot argue with his state of mind or his list of critical issues, though I would highlight environmental migration and the still yawning wealth gap between rich and poor within our own society and globally as worth examining separately. For me, he is just too breathless. Often in desperate times, people turn to desperate measures. His solution set picks up this tone and is more an appeal than a prescription, and this tone takes away from a key point of his - that time continues to work against us in making a better tomorrow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2022
Bremmer is the smartest geo-political thinker today. The three crisis are global health emergencies, climate change, and the AI revolution. Add to that a sulking Russia that seeks to restore a Russian Empire of old, and a resentful, vengeful China that is still trying to shake off their (felt) great humiliation at the hands of the Europeans and Americans in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Not to be ignored is the US’s own internal political dysfunction. Brewed all together and the crisis confronting us is palpably frightening.
But Bremmer offers solutions that will take political bravery. Leaders who are willing to take political risks can assist the world in developing new institutions to tackle new problems. Bremmer just doesn’t present problems, he outlines solutions as well.
But Bremmer offers solutions that will take political bravery. Leaders who are willing to take political risks can assist the world in developing new institutions to tackle new problems. Bremmer just doesn’t present problems, he outlines solutions as well.
November 27, 2023
Powerful forces, actors, are watching world’s situation concerning political, environmental, and technological disruption. Countries lacking strong institutions are still struggling with political upheavals more than others and seem not being alarming at all the global scenarios. Two actor taking place, United States and China, are the target, one the consumer and financial moderator, the other one producer but also with a growing consumer population and financial power.
Ian Bremmer remembers us the implosion of extinct U.R.R.S. as an event that let the path to a final and quiet end of Cold War. The same way seems to be happening to leftist countries, the old ones as well new ones trying old theories of socialism. Low intervention is allowing these countries go on their way until crash by themselves and finally follow the new models of economic development.
Latin America has been experiencing “particular” political situations by presidential figures. Waves of leftist presidents, and their way to lead economies, perhaps let an easy path to show new generations not to go on that way even though interest in political issues by young people is low. Ian presents how important was the holistic approach Reagan and Gorbachev undertook to face the imminent conflict during cold war era (1985). May be a little humorous the way Ian writes the first meeting both presidents had in privacy with no reporters, the details that later Gorbachev revealed once Reagan was dead.
Fast-paced decisions were taking by decision makers along the globe during COVID-19 and here is where political leaders had the platform to show how prepared countries are to face global threats. The first challenge Ian presents is precisely global health issues and the way leaders, specially the two playing the “great match” US and China, must play. Pandemic let many countries in a more disadvantage position than before, decisions undertaken by politicians also arose concerns about the need to address transparency and corruption control with different approaches. Ian remembered us how a pandemic was announced many years ago by scientific community and reluctance by governments to do something before happening.
Countries still are experiencing internal challenges among ideologies; this is true beyond what we know “strong democracies”. Weaker democracies, having lower capacity to face climate change externalities, are showing to the world that “our problems will be yours”. Even with more access to open education, technological access, subsidies, international support, education coverage has experienced a reduction due to economic, safety and health issues. It’s like making the gap even bigger with low education and the stunning preparation needed by new technological era. These issues are taking poorest countries with hands off to face new challenges, political division are taking place with no agreements along politicians and the short-terms decisions seem to be the easy way to survive in the political arena. Without internal agreements, success to face global issues is vanishing even more, like caverns era, people are watching each other as enemies rather than just a competitor, states Ian.
Fear and common threat have moved people to cooperate and compromise to protect the tribe. Covid 19 made this possible for a moment, not from the beginning but not too late and finally work for international actions. Trust still needs to be strengthening, both, internally along countries inhabitants, and externally among countries. Maybe Ian is asking the readers whether a stronger issue is needed to make countries create a universal system for cooperate and compromise for twenty first century challenges. Countries are aging faster than ever, diseases (first challenge) are stronger in the same way environmental events (second challenge) and technological disruption (third challenge) is changing the labor market that needs new ways of training to respond.
Ian Bremmer remembers us the implosion of extinct U.R.R.S. as an event that let the path to a final and quiet end of Cold War. The same way seems to be happening to leftist countries, the old ones as well new ones trying old theories of socialism. Low intervention is allowing these countries go on their way until crash by themselves and finally follow the new models of economic development.
Latin America has been experiencing “particular” political situations by presidential figures. Waves of leftist presidents, and their way to lead economies, perhaps let an easy path to show new generations not to go on that way even though interest in political issues by young people is low. Ian presents how important was the holistic approach Reagan and Gorbachev undertook to face the imminent conflict during cold war era (1985). May be a little humorous the way Ian writes the first meeting both presidents had in privacy with no reporters, the details that later Gorbachev revealed once Reagan was dead.
Fast-paced decisions were taking by decision makers along the globe during COVID-19 and here is where political leaders had the platform to show how prepared countries are to face global threats. The first challenge Ian presents is precisely global health issues and the way leaders, specially the two playing the “great match” US and China, must play. Pandemic let many countries in a more disadvantage position than before, decisions undertaken by politicians also arose concerns about the need to address transparency and corruption control with different approaches. Ian remembered us how a pandemic was announced many years ago by scientific community and reluctance by governments to do something before happening.
Countries still are experiencing internal challenges among ideologies; this is true beyond what we know “strong democracies”. Weaker democracies, having lower capacity to face climate change externalities, are showing to the world that “our problems will be yours”. Even with more access to open education, technological access, subsidies, international support, education coverage has experienced a reduction due to economic, safety and health issues. It’s like making the gap even bigger with low education and the stunning preparation needed by new technological era. These issues are taking poorest countries with hands off to face new challenges, political division are taking place with no agreements along politicians and the short-terms decisions seem to be the easy way to survive in the political arena. Without internal agreements, success to face global issues is vanishing even more, like caverns era, people are watching each other as enemies rather than just a competitor, states Ian.
Fear and common threat have moved people to cooperate and compromise to protect the tribe. Covid 19 made this possible for a moment, not from the beginning but not too late and finally work for international actions. Trust still needs to be strengthening, both, internally along countries inhabitants, and externally among countries. Maybe Ian is asking the readers whether a stronger issue is needed to make countries create a universal system for cooperate and compromise for twenty first century challenges. Countries are aging faster than ever, diseases (first challenge) are stronger in the same way environmental events (second challenge) and technological disruption (third challenge) is changing the labor market that needs new ways of training to respond.
October 20, 2022
For Ian bremmer there are 3 things we must prepare for China, another virus and technology. This book was published in 2022 and although he does speak about the war in the end he doesn't discuss nuclear annihilation as one of the things that might destroy us.
China with its closed society and ours with an open one according to bremmer can lead to a clash. I argue about that since lately Americans are getting deplatformed for saying anything against America. But according to bremmer China is an economic juggernaut and since they are in front of us in this Artificial intelligence war they could control the future. According to bremmer whomever controls AI will rule the future. Some interesting things bremmer says is climate change will cause major disruption in our future which I happen to agree with but when he advocates for censorship I disagree with him. He mentions the Parler app getting pulled down as a good thing as most people think they were responsible for the insurrection on 1/6. I don't agree with content moderation the euphemism they use for censorship. I think it is dangerous. He mentions technology and how work will change many jobs will be replaced by robots I have heard this before and what will we do as people. Is universal basic income a solution, who knows. I do a lot of things over zoom now so I know how much technology has changed the world. Again I didn't agree with his take on censorship and felt his us versus China take a little too basic. He mentions how climate change has affected us and how it will make some parts of the world uninhabitable. I give it 3 stars because I thought it was too out if touch. Very information heavy so a few reads will be helpful.
China with its closed society and ours with an open one according to bremmer can lead to a clash. I argue about that since lately Americans are getting deplatformed for saying anything against America. But according to bremmer China is an economic juggernaut and since they are in front of us in this Artificial intelligence war they could control the future. According to bremmer whomever controls AI will rule the future. Some interesting things bremmer says is climate change will cause major disruption in our future which I happen to agree with but when he advocates for censorship I disagree with him. He mentions the Parler app getting pulled down as a good thing as most people think they were responsible for the insurrection on 1/6. I don't agree with content moderation the euphemism they use for censorship. I think it is dangerous. He mentions technology and how work will change many jobs will be replaced by robots I have heard this before and what will we do as people. Is universal basic income a solution, who knows. I do a lot of things over zoom now so I know how much technology has changed the world. Again I didn't agree with his take on censorship and felt his us versus China take a little too basic. He mentions how climate change has affected us and how it will make some parts of the world uninhabitable. I give it 3 stars because I thought it was too out if touch. Very information heavy so a few reads will be helpful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2022
Our world faces multiple crises - don't get me wrong. We always face crises, and it is the leaders' job to identify solutions. As a scientist interested in history, I do not worry about sociopolitical conflicts that happened throughout human history. I do, however, seriously worry about the trio of crises highlighted in this book, health emergencies, climate change, and the AI revolution. These crises put us at the boundary of known and unknown, and the unknown always triggers the most fear because of its unexpectedness.
Ian Bremmer constructed a realistic and optimistic tone in our path forward to deal with these crises. I do not agree with all his optimism because these crises can radicalize the geopolitical conflicts and further the already ongoing political polarization in many continents. But I do believe that we must discard our biases and seek a way to work with each other to combat these challenges that cannot be solved by one country and one country alone. International collaboration after the second world war helped construct a world order and created a lasting global peace that humanity hasn't seen in our long history. We cannot afford to abandon it, especially when the world has become so flat and the international social and economic transaction is the rule instead of the exception.
The discussion in this book about the sino-America relationship is insightful. We need to work with the part of the regime that we can work with because the goal shall always be to move forward.
Ian Bremmer constructed a realistic and optimistic tone in our path forward to deal with these crises. I do not agree with all his optimism because these crises can radicalize the geopolitical conflicts and further the already ongoing political polarization in many continents. But I do believe that we must discard our biases and seek a way to work with each other to combat these challenges that cannot be solved by one country and one country alone. International collaboration after the second world war helped construct a world order and created a lasting global peace that humanity hasn't seen in our long history. We cannot afford to abandon it, especially when the world has become so flat and the international social and economic transaction is the rule instead of the exception.
The discussion in this book about the sino-America relationship is insightful. We need to work with the part of the regime that we can work with because the goal shall always be to move forward.
November 1, 2022
If you are a prime minister, president, UN leader or corporate CEO - this book is for you. It is useful for future leaders as well. High school students-pay attention-this book is DEFINITELY for you. Ian listed key problems the world as whole has and will have in the near future according to his brilliant team’s analysis. These are well known risk factors/threats (so he didn’t identify something unique or largely unknown) and he urged everyone with power/stake to compromise and cooperate for the betterment of humanity. Without saying How though. That’s why 3 and not 5 stars. He noted that common threats/crisis bring us together. If we want survive and succeed.
Ian is a risk analyst through political lenses (a bit economic/technological too). Deep scholar of political science who made this book simple and easy to understand for the mass market audience (albeit some humour or personal stories would have aided the book’s perception). It does not contain solutions on how to overcome competing agendas and priorities. Additional threats, solutions, opportunities could have been identified by the author. More depth would have been appreciated. Overall a good, decent, simple book. Definitely something of value and a good reminder of our common goals and problems if you are at the top of decision making. Especially if they are not Political Scientists and are current or future leaders.
Ian is a risk analyst through political lenses (a bit economic/technological too). Deep scholar of political science who made this book simple and easy to understand for the mass market audience (albeit some humour or personal stories would have aided the book’s perception). It does not contain solutions on how to overcome competing agendas and priorities. Additional threats, solutions, opportunities could have been identified by the author. More depth would have been appreciated. Overall a good, decent, simple book. Definitely something of value and a good reminder of our common goals and problems if you are at the top of decision making. Especially if they are not Political Scientists and are current or future leaders.
August 22, 2022
Political scientist and author Ian Bremer tackles head-on the three biggest threats—in his view—the world is, and will continue facing, over the decades to come in his latest book. These threats are, 1) pandemic politics (he thinks we haven’t seen the worst of what a pandemic can do, as more virulent strains of viruses will face us in the future; 2) climate emergencies—global warming and drought, among other issues will only continue to worsen; and 3) disruptive technologies such as evolving AI and the like, will continue masking the origin of evil doers perpetuating crimes as anonymously as possible. In an ever-fracturing US domestic environment where social media unintentionally creates ever greater political divides among society, coupled with a rising China (economically, financially and technologically) working to recast a new global order on parity against the US, the future prospects for cooperating on these threats appears dim. And yet Bremmer outlines roadmaps that chart where cooperation and collaboration among world powers, governments and their citizens could collectively work to hedge against and gain traction against these threats toward a better future. Readable as always, this volume complements Bremmer’s previous work, especially his last, Superpower.
April 29, 2023
This book emphasized multiple vital points on how the world responds to the COVID crisis, climate change, refugees from war, and technology. The technology could lead to competition, globalization, international connection, or privacy issues. Big nations like US, Russia, UK, and China represent the responsibility and perspectives toward each vital point. COVID-19 was a wake up call for the global to unite except China which lived in the illusion that China could handle it. However, the big story behind the virus from Wuhan could be one of the reasons China did not want to join the world to fight against COVID-19. Climate change was another issue when US declined to join the force to fight against climate change due to political drama between Republican and Democrats.
I would say the author tried to make multiple points that it could be better when global leaders realize the consequences sooner before taking actions that impact their nations. However, humans love to learn lessons after bad outcomes happen to them before they realize it. Ideally, if everyone complies and talks to each other to find out the solutions, we could live in peace without any drama over technology, election, climate changes or even continuous war.
I would say the author tried to make multiple points that it could be better when global leaders realize the consequences sooner before taking actions that impact their nations. However, humans love to learn lessons after bad outcomes happen to them before they realize it. Ideally, if everyone complies and talks to each other to find out the solutions, we could live in peace without any drama over technology, election, climate changes or even continuous war.
December 22, 2025
Unfortunately, Bremmer’s The Power of Crisis, despite a promising premise, never rises above the level of an uninspired undergraduate seminar paper on global risks. What could have been a sharp, illuminating analysis instead reads like an exercise in filling pages rather than advancing ideas.
The book appears far more concerned with word count than substance, recycling the same arguments chapter after chapter, only to culminate in a conclusion that dutifully reheats earlier talking points without offering anything resembling an actual synthesis or resolution. By the end, repetition substitutes for insight.
Bremmer leans heavily into a tired neoliberal internationalist refrain, that international organizations are the solution to virtually every global problem, yet offers remarkably little examination of how this would realistically function or what second and third-order consequences might follow. The analysis remains shallow, ahistorical, and largely untroubled by the inconvenient lessons of past failures.
Ultimately, readers would be better served skimming the front page of any major international news outlet. They would encounter the same arguments, but with greater immediacy, more nuance, and, ironically, far more analytical value.
The book appears far more concerned with word count than substance, recycling the same arguments chapter after chapter, only to culminate in a conclusion that dutifully reheats earlier talking points without offering anything resembling an actual synthesis or resolution. By the end, repetition substitutes for insight.
Bremmer leans heavily into a tired neoliberal internationalist refrain, that international organizations are the solution to virtually every global problem, yet offers remarkably little examination of how this would realistically function or what second and third-order consequences might follow. The analysis remains shallow, ahistorical, and largely untroubled by the inconvenient lessons of past failures.
Ultimately, readers would be better served skimming the front page of any major international news outlet. They would encounter the same arguments, but with greater immediacy, more nuance, and, ironically, far more analytical value.
January 2, 2023
What is frequently brought up the author, is the "us vs them" mentality of those in power (able to lead from position to implement real change), down to everyday ordinary citizens like us. In times when we need to put aside differences, to share information and work together, for the benefit of humanity as a whole, could we? Covid was the test, and unfortunately, we did not do so well. Would mankind choose differently then? Learnt from the most recent experience? One can hope the leaders will stand up and lead for the greater good.
Know that one crisis is not simply a singular issue, each is linked to many other challenges as well. The past couple of years living with Covid, we all had a close look of changes that underwent, stress and anxiety due to lack of information, mis-information and shortage of resources (hording or sudden surge of demand). All in short, is the lesson and practice that we going through; look deeper and wider, understand the links of life and decisions, look at we instead of me.
Know that one crisis is not simply a singular issue, each is linked to many other challenges as well. The past couple of years living with Covid, we all had a close look of changes that underwent, stress and anxiety due to lack of information, mis-information and shortage of resources (hording or sudden surge of demand). All in short, is the lesson and practice that we going through; look deeper and wider, understand the links of life and decisions, look at we instead of me.
July 15, 2023
Bremmer describes two big problems we have in America: crippling dysfunction due to domestic political polarization (as seen in our "us. vs. them" mentality) and our collision course (or is it a Cold War yet?) with China. Then he covers the impending crises of pandemics, climate change, and AI, with suggestions on how the US and the rest of the world could unite to address them before it is too late. The paperback edition has an epilogue about the current crisis of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its long-term geopolitical effects. Bremmer covers a lot in 200 pages, and the price of the short, engaging read is not getting all the facts, plus I'm not sure how much this book will help our "us vs. them" mentality. That said, we all need to be thinking and talking about the existential threats of these three crises and this book would certainly be a good conversation starter.
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