I read a recent review of the Brexit that described the competing views as those of posh versus the blokes. The posh (many financiers and high-tech types) had benefited economically from the European Union and the blokes had not. The problem with globalization was that the blokes were getting far more numerous. The author of this book has sympathies that lie with the posh, not the blokes. Having said this, I have to give the author credit for trying to get beyond his natural support for globalization, not nationalism. Your political allegiances will largely dictate your response to the book.
My copy of the book was paperback, 149 pages not including a further reading list with a list of footnotes for the book. So, it's fairly short and a relatively easy read. The book contains a, more or less, Cliff's Notes on the U.S. political history of the last 50+ years. since I've lived through that time, his history seems fairly accurate, even if his characterization of some of the events may be questioned.
The author looks at Europe as well. He makes a commendable effort to look at the specific history of individual countries in Europe to see how their individual circumstances might affect their receptivity to nationalist impulses. Underlying this is the author's underlying assumption that globalization is good and nationalism is bad. Adolf Hitler is presented as Exhibit A for all things bad in nationalism; Joe Stalin and Mao Zedong somehow get left out of these arguments. The author does make a real effort to look at some of the shortcomings of the historical impulse after World War II to impose globalization on the world and for this I give him credit. Ever so briefly he says something almost nice about Donald Trump, which has got to have been a real test for the author.
So, the book is a quick read and it gives a fairly good overview of the political impulses in the U.S. and Europe to pursue globalization after WW2 until the Donald became president.
I'm looking at globalization now. I've read Christophe Guilluy's The Twilight of the Elite and Michael O'Sullivan's The Levelling to get their read on globalization. Guilluy's book is about the effect of globalization on France (published before the yellow vest movement in France) and O'Sullivan's book takes a broader look at globalization's effect on economic and social issues that lead to a greater appeal for nationalism and lesser appeal for globalization. I recommend both books. The Guilluy book focuses more on some of the cultural and negative economic effects of globalization in France and The Levelling takes a broader look back into the 19th century on prior globalization attempts. Mr. Judis's book looks largely at the political issues surrounding globalization and provides further context for this subject. Read it for this purpose.
A couple of matters that seem to escape these authors, which seems fairly self-evident to me is that people define themselves both by groups with which they self-identify and those groups they expressly self-identify as not part of their identity. For instance, "I am French and not British." The globalist wants the person to say: "I am European." Apparently a large number of people don't want to do this.
The second matter, and these authors do recognize this, is that people pursue their economic interest. The Posh, being the 1% and their followers have done very well with globalization, but a large number of people have not. Professor Guilluy says that for the French elites the average French citizen is like a member of an Amazonian tribe (remote from the elite's experience), but the problem is that this tribe has become very large.
Mr. Judis's book will help you see how both the U.S. and Europe have politically arrived at the current situation.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
| Price | New from | Used from |
|
Audible Audiobook, Unabridged
"Please retry" |
$0.00
| Free with your Audible trial | |
Discover delightful children's books with Amazon Book Box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months — new Amazon Book Box Prime customers receive 15% off your first box. Learn more.
Frequently bought together
- +
- +
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2018
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2019
