Gideon Rachman Book order

A sweeping and penetrating global analysis of the perilous state of our world, this work by a highly respected international politics reporter examines the rise of authoritarian leaders and the new nationalism that characterizes contemporary governance. Since 2000, self-styled strongmen have emerged in diverse capitals, including Moscow, Beijing, and Washington, promoting nationalism and social conservatism while showing little tolerance for dissent or minority rights. These leaders position themselves as defenders of ordinary citizens against global elites and cultivate a cult of personality. Notably, this trend is not confined to authoritarian regimes; strongmen have also gained traction in liberal democracies. The turning point in the West can be traced to the 2016 EU referendum and the election of Donald Trump, but the roots of this phenomenon extend back to the early 2000s with Vladimir Putin's ascent in Russia. The text explores the implications of this leadership style for global stability, including the potential for war or economic collapse, and examines the liberal forces that may counteract these trends. Amid a global pandemic and looming environmental crises, the actions of these leaders have far-reaching consequences. By analyzing figures like Trump, Putin, and Xi, the author uncovers common themes and offers a new framework for understanding the interconnected nature of these developments.

Selected as a Book of the Year by Evening Standard The West's domination of world politics is coming to a close. The flow of wealth and power is turning from West to East and a new era of global instability has begun. Easternisation is the defining trend of our age - the growing wealth of Asian nations is transforming the international balance of power. This shift to the East is shaping the lives of people all over the world, the fate of nations and the great questions of war and peace. A troubled but rising China is now challenging America's supremacy, and the ambitions of other Asian powers - including Japan, North Korea, India and Pakistan - have the potential to shake the whole world. Meanwhile the West is struggling with economic malaise and political populism, the Arab world is in turmoil and Russia longs to reclaim its status as a great power. We are at a turning point in history: but Easternisation has many decades to run. Gideon Rachman offers a road map to the turbulent process that will define the international politics of the twenty-first century.