In 'Destined for War,' Graham Allison explores the precarious nature of U.S.-China relations, drawing parallels with the historical Thucydides Trap, where a rising power threatens to displace a ruling one. The book delves into the complex interplay of nationalism, economics, and global politics that could lead to a catastrophic conflict. Through compelling case studies and rigorous analysis, Allison illuminates the choices that both countries must make to avoid disaster. Readers will be left questioning whether humanity can learn from history or is doomed to repeat its mistakes. A gripping examination of a pivotal moment in global history, this book challenges us to consider the future of international relations.
By Graham Allison
Published: 2018
"In the shadow of a rising power, it is the struggle for dominance that defines the fate of nations; the choice between cooperation and conflict is the most pressing challenge of our time."
A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR - SHORT-LISTED FOR THE 2018 LIONEL GELBER PRIZE - NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY: FINANCIAL TIMES * THE TIMES (LONDON) * AMAZON "Allison is one of the keenest observers of international affairs around."-- JOE BIDEN, former vice president of the United States China and the United States are heading toward a war neither wants. The reason is Thucydides's Trap: when a rising power threatens to displace a ruling one, violence is the likeliest result. Over the past five hundred years, these conditions have occurred sixteen times; war broke out in twelve. Today, as an unstoppable China approaches an immovable America, and both Xi Jinping and Donald Trump promise to make their countries "great again," the seventeenth case looks grim. A trade conflict, cyberattack, Korean crisis, or accident at sea could easily spark a major war. In Destined for War, eminent Harvard scholar Graham Allison masterfully blends history and current events to explain the timeless machinery of Thucydides's Trap--and to explore the painful steps that might prevent disaster today. " A] must-read book in both Washington and Beijing."-- NIALL FERGUSON, BOSTON GLOBE " Allison is] a first-class academic with the instincts of a first-rate politician."-- BLOOMBERG NEWS " Full of] wide-ranging, erudite case studies that span human history . . . A] fine book."-- NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW
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“In the shadow of a rising power, it is the struggle for dominance that defines the fate of nations; the choice between cooperation and conflict is the most pressing challenge of our time.”
Destined for War
By Graham Allison
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Graham Allison is an esteemed author and professor, known for his expertise in international relations and security studies. He is the founding dean of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and has served as a special advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Defense. Allison is the author of several influential books, including "Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’s Trap?" and "Nuclear Terrorism: The Ultimate Preventable Catastrophe." His writing style is characterized by a rigorous analytical approach blended with engaging narratives that bring complex political issues to life. Through his works, Allison offers profound insights into the challenges of modern geopolitics, making him a leading voice in the discourse on international security.
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