The Post-American World - Fareed Zakaria [126]
7. American Purpose
1. Speech to the G8 Economic Summit, Houston, Tex., July 11, 1990.
2. Charles Krauthammer, “The Unipolar Moment,” Foreign Affairs 70, no. 1 (1990/1991): 23–33.
3. Speech to the Association France-Amériques, Paris, France, Feb. 1, 1999.
4. Chris Patten, Not Quite the Diplomat: Home Truths about World Affairs (London: Allen Lane, 2005), 229.
5. As recounted by Sarkozy’s national security adviser, Jean-David Levitte, in Adam Gopnik, “The Human Bomb,” New Yorker, Aug. 27, 2007.
6. Robert Kagan, Of Paradise and Power: America and Europe in the New World Order (New York: Alfred Knopf, 2003).
7. John Ikenberry, “The Rise of China and the Future of the West,” Foreign Affairs 87, no. 1 (Jan./Feb. 2008).
8. William C. Wohlforth, “The Stability of a Unipolar World,” International Security 21, no. 1 (Summer 1999), 5–41.
9. Claudia Deutsch, “The Venturesome Giant,” New York Times, Oct. 5, 2007.
10. Fernando Henrique Cardoso, “A Collaborative Contract,” Newsweek: Issues 2008, Special Edition, Dec. 2007.
11. Correlli Barnett, The Collapse of British Power (New York: Morrow, 1972).
12. Josef Joffe, “How America Does It,” Foreign Affairs 76, no. 5 (Sept./Oct. 1997): 13–27.
13. Anne-Marie Slaughter, “The Real New World Order,” Foreign Affairs 76, no. 5 (Sept./Oct. 1997): 183–97.
14. Richard N. Haass, “Paradigm Lost,” Foreign Affairs 74, no. 1 (Jan./Feb. 1995): 43–58.
15. Stephen Flynn, The Edge of Disaster: Rebuilding a Resilient Nation (New York: Random House, 2007).
Acknowledgments
This book is the outgrowth of much travel, reading, and reflection over the last few years, but it is also the product of passion. I came to America as a young man, fell in love with the country, and built a life and family here. I want the best for this country and firmly believe that American power and purpose, properly harnessed, benefit both America and the world. I also see a world that is changing fundamentally and fast, and unless America adapts to this new world, its future will look very different from its past.
This book has also been a first for me, the first time I’ve tried to write a book with two children actively demanding my attention. I have professional obligations that are often quite demanding but the hardest part of working on this project—by far—was retreating into my study when my kids wanted to spend time with me. I hope I struck a decent balance between family, work, and the book. Perhaps as a reward, our third child was born the year that the original edition of this book was published.
Writing a book while juggling various other commitments takes work—also help, patience, and indulgence from others. Above all, I want to thank all the smart and generous people at Newsweek with whom I worked, particularly Rick Smith, Mark Whitaker, Jon Meacham, Nisid Hajari, and Tony Emerson. Before I came to Newsweek, I had always heard that Donald Graham was an extraordinary boss, and I’m happy to report from personal experience that it’s true. Six years ago, I launched a television show on PBS, Foreign Exchange, which I hosted until November 2007. Thanks to Bruce Blair, Mark Sugg, and especially Sujata Thomas for being wonderful colleagues in that venture.
Right now my obligations are to CNN and Time. Both places have been great organizations, with Jon Klein, Ken Jautz, and Rick Stengel giving me all the support I could want.
Sharon Sullivan, Patricia Huie, and, above all, Jessica del Pilar have managed the acrobatics of my life with great skill and dedication and made day-to-day work a very pleasant experience, for which I am very grateful.
I had help on the research for this book from four extremely talented young people, all now on to greater things: Robert Wiesenberger, Rukhmini Punoose, Alan Isenberg, and Barrett Sheridan. Barrett worked on the book for the longest period and during its most intense phase, and the final product owes a great deal to his hard work, sharp intelligence, and good judgment. He has also been instrumental in crafting this new edition.
I asked a few friends—Andrew Moravscik,