The Future of Power [Paperback]

Joseph S. Nye Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 13, 2011

Power evolves. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, unsurpassed in military strength and ownership of world resources, the United States was indisputably the most powerful nation in the world. But the global information age is rendering these traditional markers of power obsolete. To remain at the pinnacle of world power, the United States must adopt a strategy that considers the impact of the internet on global power resources. The Future of Power examines what it means to be powerful in the twenty-first century and illuminates the road ahead.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Harvard professor Nye, who served in the state and defense departments of the Carter and Clinton administrations, respectively, was among the first to promulgate the notion of soft power and, subsequently, smart power�a concept the Obama administration seems to have fully embraced. But here Nye gives �smart power� far more depth and nuance than merely marrying force and persuasion. Rather, it involves setting clear and manageable objectives, understanding the resources available within dynamic circumstances, understanding the sensibilities of the targets of a country�s objectives, choosing among �power strategies,� and anticipating the success of those strategies. If the book sounds wonky, it is. But Nye brings specific historical examples to give life to his far-ranging understanding of power, and he realistically sets his book amid the complex dynamics of the world�s geopolitical players. Given Nye�s prominence in the diplomatic community, this volume is likely to attract considerable attention. --Alan Moores --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"(E)xcellent...Nye offers an illuminating distillation of the power relationships shaping a world in which the state with the best military can lose to the adversary with the better story." --The Financial Times "As power moves from west to east and from the palaces of dictators to the street, it is not just the identities of power brokers that are changing: so is the very meaning of power. No one is better placed to explain these trends than the scholar-statesman Joe Nye... The Future of Power contains important essays on both 'cyber power' and 'American decline', but what is most useful is Nye's subtle exegesis of the mechanics of more conventional forms of power." --The New Statesman "A concise, forceful statement of what Nye refers to as the liberal realist position in the US academy and in US politics... (which) paints a plausible scenario for the continuance of the US at the heart of the international system." --Times Higher Education Supplement "(W)hile the British generally take a wary attitude to international gurus, it is worth bearing in mind that what Nye... think(s) today has a habit of becoming the global consensus tomorrow. --Mary Dejevsky, The Independent"

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: PublicAffairs; Reprint edition (December 13, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9781610390699
• ISBN-13: 978-1610390699
• ASIN: 1610390695
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.9 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced and Convincing February 4, 2011

By Ann L. Hollick

Format:Hardcover

Joseph Nye's new book on the Future of Power brings reasoned analysis to bear on anxious predictions of America's relative decline vis a vis a rising China. While not ruling out the danger of conflict, Nye sees no need for the U.S. and China to go to war in the 21st century if Chinese hubris and American fears can be held in check. This volume goes a long way toward achieving that worth while objective. Building on his earlier study of soft and hard power, Nye argues that China and the US have much to gain from working together on major global challenges ranging from financial stability to climate change. This cooperation would, in Nye's words, represent the exercise of "smart power."

44 of 55 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars American Empire vs. Global Governance February 13, 2011

By David Hillstrom

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

The US has, since WWII, been the most powerful and influential country in the world. Following the collapse of the Communist system in 1990 it is the sole super power. Nonetheless, there have been limits to the extension of American power. The most obvious example is the defeat in Vietnam. More recently, in response to the terrorist attacks on 9/11, the US has become engaged in new wars of occupation in Afghanistan and Iraq. And the prognosis of those state building projects remains uncertain today.

Joseph S. Nye Jr. has provided a new book, The Future of Power, to assess American power and consider the future of America's reach. In some ways this book is an example par excellence of realpolitik. He offers a reasoned approach to assessing the limits of power and provides a methodology, which he terms `smart power,' as a strategy for the successful extension of American influence in the world. He explains that, while the US remains the dominate military power by far, it cannot successfully impose its will on the world order through military might alone. This is, as far as it goes, a rational critique of US policy and its continued reliance upon projected military strength. Indeed the US cannot afford the expense of maintaining military dominance and policing the world. So the author suggests a mix of soft and hard power that are measured against a prioritized list of goals in order to achieve the maximum influence possible. This is the essence of smart power. His advice would certainly be useful, if it were taken to heart by the many old cold-warriors who lead government policy. So from this perspective I think that The Future of Power is a worthy book.

However, in the long run not even smart power will be adequate. The US is losing ground economically in the world economy. Consequently, it will not be capable of maintaining its decisive lead in military prowess. Hence, the reliance on soft power will become ever more important. Why not recognize the trend and stand down earlier on the foolish race to maintain military dominance? In any case shouldn't one question the basic premise of Mr. Nye's book? Why is it important that the US maintain the maximum influence possible within the global community? The author never considers calling this unspoken premise into question. Surely there is a moral dilemma here. Hence, I recommend a more radical perspective on the issue of American power, such as that presented by Andrew J. Bacevich in his excellent book, Washington Rules.

David Hillstrom
Author of The Bridge

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent work February 19, 2011

By JunkyardWisdom

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

The book focuses on how nations can exert influence. The two simplistic methods are hard power (mostly military strength) and soft power (cultural appeal, foreign aid, persuasion, etc.). Nye argues that both are important and that the proper balance between the two is what he calls "smart power." Nye focuses on rising nations that may not always see eye-to-eye with America. His conclusions strike me as accurate and remarkably well said. He has an upbeat view of America's future in the 21st Century. Academic but still approachable for the rest of us, this is a great book to read if you want to better understand America's role in the world.