Rise and fall of great powers

Author: (USA) Kennedy
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Paul Kennedy's book "The Rise and Fall of Great Powers" summarizes the history of the rise and fall of great powers since 1500 AD and makes predictions about the "future shape of world politics." As China prepares for its "peaceful rise" in the 21st century, this book is clearly worth reading again and again by the Chinese people. The Chinese have traditionally had ambitions of a "Tianxia" (all-under-heaven) vision. They are not overly eager to pursue China's world leadership status and do not oppose globalization led by the United States. However, in today's world, realists still outnumber idealists. In the field of international politics, realism opposes political integration, is content with the current international anarchy, and insists that national and ethnic interests are paramount. If they maintain their theoretical and political dominance, the ideals of a world federation and a world government will remain distant. In such a situation, the rapidly rising China must prepare to take on the historical responsibility of being the "last great power." If China has the opportunity to become the last great power in the 21st century, it will not just be a "rise" but a "rejuvenation." China is different from Britain and the United States; it is a country with a long history, having experienced multiple periods of decline and rejuvenation. China's most recent decline was merely a matter of the 19th century. China's most recent round of rejuvenation was not something that only came up on the agenda in the 21st century; rather, it was the continuation of decades of arduous and outstanding efforts in the past century. This book discusses modern and contemporary states and international power, tracing and elucidating the interactions and rise and fall of major powers over five centuries since the establishment of "new monarchies" in Western Europe and the global transoceanic state system.