Fareed Zakaria Books

The CNN host and best-selling author explores the revolutions--past and present--that define the chaotic, polarized, and unstable age in which we live.

New York Times Bestseller COVID-19 is speeding up history, but how? What is the shape of the world to come? Lenin once said, "There are decades when nothing happens and weeks when decades happen." This is one of those times when history has sped up. CNN host and best-selling author Fareed Zakaria helps readers to understand the nature of a post-pandemic world: the political, social, technological, and economic consequences that may take years to unfold. Written in the form of ten "lessons," covering topics from natural and biological risks to the rise of "digital life" to an emerging bipolar world order, Zakaria helps readers to begin thinking beyond the immediate effects of COVID-19. Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World speaks to past, present, and future, and, while urgent and timely, is sure to become an enduring reflection on life in the early twenty-first century.

A modern classic that uses historical analysis to shed light on the present, The Future of Freedom is, as the Chicago Tribune put it, "essential reading for anyone worried about the promotion and preservation of liberty." Hailed by the New York Times as "brave and ambitious...updated Tocqueville," it enjoyed extended stays on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post bestseller lists and has been translated into eighteen languages. Prescient in laying out the distinction between democracy and liberty, the book now contains a new afterword on the United States's occupation of Iraq. "Intensely provocative and valuable," according to BusinessWeek, with an easy command of history, philosophy, and current affairs, The Future of Freedom calls for a restoration of the balance between liberty and democracy and shows how politics and government can be made effective and relevant for our time.

The Future of Freedom is a groundbreaking work in which Newsweek International editor Fareed Zakaria presents a penetrating and provocative analysis of the most powerful force sweeping the world - democracy. Tracing the rise of democracy through history, Zakaria reveals why, although democracy has broken down hierarchies, opened up closed systems, and given rise to freedom in some places, it has also fostered chaos, ethnic warfare, and destroyed the very liberties and freedoms it is meant to produce. In The Future of Freedom, Zakaria calls for a re-evaluation of our beliefs in democratic ideals and, in particular, the widely held notion that more democracy means more freedom and a guarantee of greater civil and economic liberties. This book is a call for self-control, for a restoration of the balance between democracy and liberty, Zakaria writes. It is not an argument against democracy. But it is a claim that there can be such a thing as too much democracy; too much of an emphatically good thing.

“A relentlessly intelligent book.” —Joseph Joffe, New York Times Book Review “This is not a book about the decline of America, but rather about the rise of everyone else.” So begins Fareed Zakaria’s blockbuster on the United States in the twenty-first century, and the trends he identifies have proceeded faster than anyone anticipated. How might the nation continue to thrive in a truly global era? In this fully updated 2.0 edition, Zakaria answers these questions with his customary lucidity, insight, and imagination.

'The most timely book of the year' Gideon Rachman, Financial Times The world is changing, as power shifts from the West ...... to the rest. THE GROWTH OF COUNTRIES such as India, China, Brazil, Russia, South Africa and Kenya is generating a new landscape. The tallest buildings, biggest dams, top-selling movies and most advanced mobile phones are now all being made outside Europe and the United States. Countries that previously lacked political confidence and national pride are finding them. Is this an opportunity, or a threat? Fareed Zakaria's acclaimed bestseller has been heralded as the most thought-provoking book yet on our uncertain times. With lucidity, insight and imagination, he shows how the West must transform its global strategy, moving from being the dominating hegemon to a role that recognizes this seismic power shift. The future we now face is the Post-American World. 'A relentlessly intelligent book that eschews simple-minded projections' Josef Joffe, NYT Book Review 'Provocative and shrewd . . . a lucid picture of a globalized world that is changing at light speed' Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times 'A thoughtful, reasoned and hopeful sketch of global power and politics in the twenty-first century' David Goldblatt, Independent

Examining the transformation of wealthy nations into influential global powers, Fareed Zakaria delves into the case of the United States as a prime example of this phenomenon. He explores the dynamics that drive rich countries to project their influence internationally, highlighting the implications for global stability and the emergence of new powers. Through this analysis, the book provides insights into the relationship between national wealth and geopolitical clout in the context of international politics.

The liberal arts face significant challenges as governors in states like Florida, Texas, and North Carolina vow to cut taxpayer funding for these programs, a sentiment echoed by President Obama, who suggested that vocational training may offer better financial prospects. This perspective has led to a decline in traditional majors such as English and history. Fareed Zakaria reflects on his upbringing in India, where a skills-based education was highly prioritized, yet he argues that this view is fundamentally flawed. He highlights the essential skills gained from a liberal arts education, including clear writing, persuasive expression, and analytical thinking. Zakaria counters the vocational argument by pointing out the automation and outsourcing of routine manufacturing jobs, emphasizing that specific vocational skills can quickly become obsolete. While engineering is valuable, he stresses the importance of creativity, lateral thinking, design, communication, storytelling, and a lifelong passion for learning—qualities nurtured by a liberal education. He also notes that technology is revolutionizing education, making high-quality courses accessible to millions globally, marking the beginning of an unprecedented expansion of liberal education.