Want a NOOK? Explore Now
The age of American global dominance is ending. In recent years, risky economic and foreign policies have steadily eroded the power structure in place since the Cold War. And now, staggering under a huge burden of debt, the country must make some tough choices — or watch its creditors walk away. In The Unraveling, Michael Moran, a leading geostrategy analyst at Roubini Global Economics, the Council on Foreign Relations, and other leading institutions, explores how a variety of forces are converging to challenge U.S. leadership — including unprecedented information technologies, the growing prosperity of countries like China, India, Brazil, and Turkey, and the diminished importance of Wall Street in the face of global markets.
This shift will have serious consequences for the wider world as well. Countries that have traditionally depended on the United States for protection will have to adjust their policies to reality. Each nation will be responsible for its own human rights record, energy production, and environmental policy, and revolutions will succeed or fail unaided. Moran describes how, with a bit of political leadership, America can transition to this new world order gracefully - by managing entitlements, reigniting sustainable growth, reforming immigration policy, and breaking the poisonous deadlock in Washington. If not, he warns, the new era will arrive on its own terms and provide a nasty shock to those clinging to the 20th century.
"The Reckoning is a smart, sober and clear-eyed primer on the Post-American Century. Read it, and then demand equally straight answers from those who seek your vote."—The Seattle Times
"Moran turned insight into foresight ... uses facts, logic and common sense to drive home his points."—The Dallas Morning News
"A grim but hopeful analysis of the global position of the U.S. and the dire need for change."—Booklist
"For policy and financial wonks, a smart, bracing and sobering read; for voters, fair warning about possible outcomes of the looming November elections."—Kirkus Reviews
“This solemn examination of the severe problems facing the U.S. today...offers a practical, useful roadmap for change if politicians will follow.”—Publishers Weekly
"The Reckoning is a chilling survey of the state of the world and American global leadership. Michael Moran sees the real problems and argues that things will go from bad to worse unless Washington can somehow manage to change its ways and embrace major reforms. I hope he's wrong—but I fear he may be right."—Gideon Rose, Editor, Foreign Affairs and author of How Wars End
"Mike Moran is a sharp thinker and a fine storyteller, and The Reckoning is a terrifically engaging read. America's role in the world is a subject that demands clarity and nuance, and this book delivers both."—Ian Bremmer, author of The End of the Free Market
“With the clarity and style of someone used to communicating complicated stuff to a general audience, Moran draws on his decades of experience to lay out for readers all the factors in the bill that has come due for America and how we can pay it off. The choices are hard but Moran is not a "declinist;" he is a realistic optimist. The Reckoning is a book that frames the choices facing America's citizens better than any I have read.”—Michael Goldarb, Senior Correspondent, GlobalPost.com and author of Emancipation: How Liberating Europe's Jews From the Ghetto Led to Revolution and Renaissance
"Moran comprehensively and bluntly catalogs the political, economic, and foreign policy errors that have drained the Treasury and diminished global opinion of American leadership. His views will irritate many current stakeholders. They do however contribute to a needed debate on American’s future role in global security and Moran believes that role, while, requiring changes in style and substance, remains vital."—Dr. William Turcotte, Chairman Emeritus, Naval War College
Foreword Dr. Nouriel Roubini
Introduction 1
1 Excess Baggage: The West's Struggle with Reality 7
2 As the World Turns, Gravity Bites 25
3 A "Boiling Frog" Moment for America's Middle Class 45
4 From Shortwaves to Flash Mobs: Technology Speeds the March of History 67
5 In the Middle East, the Writing is on the Wall 89
6 China and America: The Perils of Codependency 117
7 The Not-So-Pacific Rim 139
8 India, Brazil, and the New American Dream Team 153
9 Europe: PIIGS, Canaries, and Bears—Oh My! 175
10 In the Game, or in Denial? 201
Acknowledgments 219
Notes 221
Index 237
TigermanAN
Posted April 19, 2012
Wonderfully written and succinct. Michael Moran guides you through the complex world of macro economics and politics in a smooth and very understandable way. The best and easiest primer on what we are facing as a nation (and world) in these turbulent times.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
The age of American global dominance is ending. In recent years, risky economic and foreign policies have steadily eroded the power structure in place since the Cold War. And now, staggering under a huge burden of debt, the country must make some tough choices — or watch its creditors walk away. In The Unraveling, Michael Moran, a leading geostrategy analyst at Roubini Global Economics, the Council on Foreign Relations, and other leading institutions, explores how a variety of forces are converging to challenge ...