October’s book(s) of the month
There are so many books worth reading, I’ve decided to highlight two books each month: one “general interest” book, and one dealing specifically with international relations. The general interest book for October is Virginia Postrel’s The Substance of Style, which I was inhaling right up until the quarter started, and I’m aching to get back ...
There are so many books worth reading, I've decided to highlight two books each month: one "general interest" book, and one dealing specifically with international relations. The general interest book for October is Virginia Postrel's The Substance of Style, which I was inhaling right up until the quarter started, and I'm aching to get back to it. [Good thing you're hawking the book -- looks like she's having real trouble selling copies!--ed.] Geek confession: I mark up every book I read, fiction and nonfiction. The Substance of Style is so stimulating that I find myself underline 50% of every page. Go go buy it and mark up your own copy. The international relations book is considerably older, and, I'm sad to say, depressingly relevant for our times: Stephen D. Krasner's Structural Conflict. This 1985 book chronicled how, in the wake of the developing world's efforts to create a New International Economic Order, the major economic powers protected their own interests by shifting resources and authority to decision-making fora they controlled. In the wake of the Cancun meetings, I strongly suspect this trend will repeat itself in the near future. In contrast to their agenda from 30 years ago, I have some sympathy with some of the developing world's current aims, particularly the elimination of all agricultural subsidies. Go check them out!!
There are so many books worth reading, I’ve decided to highlight two books each month: one “general interest” book, and one dealing specifically with international relations. The general interest book for October is Virginia Postrel’s The Substance of Style, which I was inhaling right up until the quarter started, and I’m aching to get back to it. [Good thing you’re hawking the book — looks like she’s having real trouble selling copies!–ed.] Geek confession: I mark up every book I read, fiction and nonfiction. The Substance of Style is so stimulating that I find myself underline 50% of every page. Go go buy it and mark up your own copy. The international relations book is considerably older, and, I’m sad to say, depressingly relevant for our times: Stephen D. Krasner’s Structural Conflict. This 1985 book chronicled how, in the wake of the developing world’s efforts to create a New International Economic Order, the major economic powers protected their own interests by shifting resources and authority to decision-making fora they controlled. In the wake of the Cancun meetings, I strongly suspect this trend will repeat itself in the near future. In contrast to their agenda from 30 years ago, I have some sympathy with some of the developing world’s current aims, particularly the elimination of all agricultural subsidies. Go check them out!!
Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast. Twitter: @dandrezner
More from Foreign Policy
Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America
The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.
The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense
If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.
Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War
Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.
How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests
And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.
Sign up for Morning Brief
Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter with what’s coming up around the world today. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.
