Disunited Nations
The Scramble for Power in an Ungoverned World
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Buy Now for $33.99
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Narrated by:
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Peter Zeihan
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Roy Worley
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By:
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Peter Zeihan
About this listen
Should we stop caring about fading regional powers like China, Russia, Germany, and Iran? Will the collapse of international cooperation push France, Turkey, Japan, and Saudi Arabia to the top of international concerns?
Most countries and companies are not prepared for the world Peter Zeihan says we’re already living in. For decades, America’s allies have depended on its might for their economic and physical security. But as a new age of American isolationism dawns, the results will surprise everyone. In Disunited Nations, geopolitical strategist Peter Zeihan presents a series of counterintuitive arguments about the future of a world where trade agreements are coming apart and international institutions are losing their power.
Germany will decline as the most powerful country in Europe, with France taking its place. Every country should prepare for the collapse of China, not North Korea. We are already seeing, as Zeihan predicts, a shift in outlook on the Middle East: it is no longer Iran that is the region’s most dangerous threat, but Saudi Arabia. The world has gotten so accustomed to the “normal” of an American-dominated order that we have all forgotten the historical norm: several smaller, competing powers and economic systems throughout Europe and Asia.
America isn’t the only nation stepping back from the international system. From Brazil to Great Britain to Russia, leaders are deciding that even if plenty of countries lose in the growing disunited chaos, their nations will benefit. The world isn’t falling apart—it’s being pushed apart. The countries and businesses prepared for this new every-country-for-itself ethic are those that will prevail; those shackled to the status quo will find themselves lost in the new world disorder.
Smart, interesting, and essential reading, Disunited Nations is a sure-to-be-controversial guidebook that analyzes the emerging shifts and resulting problems that will arise in the next two decades. We are entering a period of chaos, and no political or corporate leader can ignore Zeihan’s insights or his message if they want to survive and thrive in this uncertain new time.
Insightful
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Must listen for Geopolitical Nerds
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Brilliant
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It's impossible to be an expert on everything, but the author does have a wide range of understanding. I really enjoy the discussion of geography and demographics in these books, it's really fascinating. This is also a good book for learning a little about all the world's significant powers.
I did find the bits that related to my own region, Oceania, a bit superficial. Australia's attitude to the US was put in the same basket as "allies" like the French and Germans who have been outright hostile. The basis for this was the G20, which if there was some implied insult at the time, it was so long ago now and it's unbelievable that the US could still resent PM John Howard trying to punch above his weight once when he was always a champion for US interests. Australia has continued to be the loyal wingman of the US, at the risk of our own interests. It's not that I think the US should be grateful to us or something I just think this distorted view of us reflects the author's more limited understanding of this part of the world, which is quite understandable. I appreciate that we even got mentioned at all, since we are often completely ignored.
I have enjoyed listening to this twice now, but I probably wouldn't have listened again if it predicted doom for my own country. That said, this is a very good quality book.
Winners and losers
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Terrifying glimpse of the future.
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