Rating: 
Summary: The World According to Thatcher
Review: Margaret Thatcher will surely go down in history as one of the great and enduring world leaders of the second half of the twentieth century . In this, likely her last book, Thatcher attempts the creation of a primer for the American and British statesman. The book is broad and sweeping and eminently readable as Thatcher covers every region on earth and presents her views of the appropriate approach for the United States and Britain in its relations with foreign powers. She also devotes a considerable number of words to her unmitigated hostility to the European Union that she considers negative in every conceivable way. In her prescriptions for Britain she accepts those facts she regards as irreversible and, thus, her recommendations are clearly plausible and deserve to be considered seriously. One does not have to agree with each and every pronouncement to appreciate the soundness of Thatcher's basic approach and to admire her refusal to bend her views to the popular. In her introduction, Thatcher distinguishes "statecraft" from "statesmanship" with the former containing an emphasis on "activity rather than rhetoric, strategy not just diplomacy." In the age of globalism, Thatcher is scornful of those statesman who see the world as they would like it to be rather than as it is. Thatcher's pronouncements in this book are too broad to cover in this review but here is a sampling: She regards the United States as the only true global super power. Thatcher is strongly against "internationalism", the tendency of states to subsume their sovereignty in favor of international organizations. She is remarkably hostile to the European Union and its efforts to create a super-state to rival the United States. She opposes the "euro" and argues that the subordination of national sovereignty to an organization she regards as a bullying anti-democratic bureaucracy to be a recipe for future disaster. Thatcher would tie Britain to the economic and political fortunes of the United States, even proposing that Britain join NAFTA. I think she is right to be suspicious of this organization. Its dominant powers France and Germany certainly seek to use the Union to create a major rival to the United States. The French would like to challenge American military dominance, the Germans, economic. Thatcher believes this to be against Brtitish and American interests. Thatcher is properly hostile to such international entities as the world criminal court. She regards the court as a vehicle to subvert the superior legal systems of the U.S. and Britain and sees such international organizations being used to hurt the interests of the West. She notes the dangerous precedent set by the case of Pinochet, where Spain demanded his extradition for alleged crimes committed in Chile. Finally, Thatcher rails against "do-goodism" which assails common sense. She cites as one of many examples of myopic western diplomacy, the arms embargo on the former Yugoslavia which had the effect of allowing the Serbs, who controlled the Yugoslav military, to maintain a vast superiority. This, of course, had the effect of encouraging Serbian aggression, the opposite of the intended effect. Thatcher's solution would have been to fully supply the Bosnian resisters of Serbian aggression. This would have either deterred the aggression or at the very least forced the Serbs to the negotiation table. That this is not seen by the diplomats of the West is very troubling. Most of Thatcher's arguments seem similarly logical. Unlike those of the left, Thatcher never goes in for messianic visions of a perfect world. Instead she applauds those nations who improve economically, politically and socially, while condemning those she regards as rogues or bad actors. I would have given this book five stars if Lady Thatcher stuck to issues of international relations. Unfortunately too much of the book is bogged down in her defense of capitalism and her assault on what she regards as socialism. I certainly agree with her that the system of free enterprise continues to be under basic assault by much of the dominant powers of the world, the U.S. excepted. But her attack on the regulatory power of the state is overwrought and she goes too far. One can agree that the system of free enterprise is just and appropriate and still believe that its inevitable inequities can be corrected by government action. In any event, this is not a book about capitalism, but about statecraft. Thatcher should save her philosophy of economics for another book.
Nevertheless, Lady Thatcher is an impressive thinker with consistency and logic often on her side. The key to statecraft is not to place the entire world into a single system but to know what situations require the carrot and which require the stick. I do not see this wisdom in existence in either the American State Department or the British Foreign Ministry. I certainly do not see it in the nations of Western Europe who foolishly often stand in opposition to American efforts to secure tranquility around the world.. Thatcher would promote the growth of free markets everywhere. She would confront bad regimes and reward good regimes. She would seek to deter aggression through the credible threat of force, not through endless talk, appeasement and unenforceable treaties. You can quibble with her over the details. After observing the world over the past twenty years, however, I have come to the conclusion that Thatcher's approach to the world is by and large the correct one. Anyone with an open mind will enjoy and appreciate this book. Filled with her personal observations and anecdotes, always readable and lively, this excellent book is must reading for anyone interested in the subject of international affairs.
Rating: 
Summary: Reminds Me Of Another Prime Minister
Review: Margaret Thatcher's place in history is already firmly established. She earned her place in history's pantheon of great leaders in large part through her unprecedented 3 consecutive electoral victories and the years in office they allowed her to serve, and she continues to closely follow and study global politics as a respected former stateswoman. She is as competent to write on world politics as any leader currently in office, and more qualified than many, whether they currently serve or have served in the past. Lady Thatcher does not mince words, spin ideas, nor does she change her beliefs to suit the mood of the day. In this book she takes many positions that are not fashionable, politically correct, and will not be welcomed by many in or out of office. She presents her case on dozens of issues and offers summaries of what she believes should be done. I would very much enjoy a rebuttal as competent as her presentation; I doubt very much that I would be swayed. I had the privilege of attending one of her speeches, and if you find her persuasive via her writing, she is extraordinary in person. That are many topics that deserve close focus, but I enjoyed her extended discussion of what she terms, "euro-land". I may be wrong, but I feel she equates the usefulness and future of The European Union to be as fictional as another land, that of Disney. Disney deals in fantasy, governments should not. The union is also referred to as a form of United States Of Europe; this fiction is dismembered by Lady Thatcher in great detail, and with arguments of more substance than those who advocate the union. She believes that it is inevitable that the program will fail, and that history will record it as one of the greatest follies attempted in history. Globalism and the concepts of global citizenship are dead on arrival by any rational measure. The European Union is doomed for the same reasons. The world is not populated by homogenous people, language, laws, customs, beliefs, morals, systems of government, or common national interests. And this list is just a small sample. Members who issue the Euro give up a fundamental element of their sovereignty, their right to issue legal tender and manage their economies. The citizens are subject to the laws of their nation, and again this is compromised when a supra-authority like euro-land government develops. Defenders cite the tradition of international law, the miserable record of international law and courts preempts any such defense. Lady Thatcher also points out the aspirations to produce a military force from the members of the union. Most of these aspirations, which are no more than still born fantasies, are often put forward by two of the members, Germany and France. It's amazing how short memories are. I am not suggesting that Germany has any desire to go to war once again, but it is historical fact that as a nation (now fully reunited) they have not worked and played well with their neighbors. France has routinely been run over or has run away from a German advance. Perhaps France is attempting to make friends with the bully that has historically damaged them so badly. They have a history of collaboration with their nation's enemies; they even round up their own citizens and deport them when told to do so by an occupier. Germany will dominate any union; France will be used as is convenient. The arrogance that is often a hallmark of France is almost laughable to read when they state their intention of creating a union to rival The United States not only economically, but to be independent militarily. As the book provides the facts about military strength and spending at present, and the ability of members to spend, the idea of a military group independent of NATO is simply absurd. Lady Thatcher virtually walks the reader around the globe on the dozens of trips she has made since leaving office. Her observations are not drawn from reflection in her home, but from first hand experience. How many present or former leaders have stood at mass graves in the former Yugoslavia as bodies were being exhumed? She has, and these first hand on-site experiences give her the authoritative knowledge to comment and suggest. She also maintains relationships with nearly all of the heads of state she interacted with as Prime Minister and many that took office after she departed. The book is dedicated to President Ronald Reagan, "To whom the world owes so much". The special relationship she had with President Reagan, and the good fortune the world had from these two people in occupying office together for many years, has literally written some of the greatest events of the 20th Century. I said that she reminded me of another Prime Minister of England. My reasons for saying this grow from her candor, her absolute core beliefs, and her willingness to state what the truth is when it is so unpopular to do so. She rightfully has no time for the nonsense that is political correctness. And even though when he was asked about the likelihood of a woman as Prime Minister he thought the idea was so absurd he barely answered, I believe that were he alive, Prime Minister Churchill would have been a supporter and admirer of Prime Minister Thatcher.
Rating: 
Summary: The Usual Dangerous Ideas
Review: Once again, Margaret Thatcher demonstrates that she has a diminishingly small grip on the modern world. In this book she throws her net a little wider than her previous autobiographical books and subject is no less than the political landscape of the whole world as it enters the 21st century. Of course, she gets it horribly wrong as always. Her lack of understanding would be funny if it wasn't for one thing - some people will still take her seriously. In the UK, even the Conservative Party now see her as an embarassing anachronism. She has promised to stop speaking in public. It's a pity that she doesn't stop peddling this dangerous nonsense in print as well. So buy it and read it by all means, but don't for a second take her seriously.
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary: A Masterpiece Worthy of a Great Stateswoman
Review: The Baroness covers a lot of ground - nothing less than the entire world. Chapter by chapter, she surveys global issues and particular areas with strategic insight enhanced by more than a decade of spectacular performance at the helm of one of the great powers of the last century, sprinkling at critical points a discerning knowledge of world history which has not been evident in her previous books. She's even up to date, covering the Sept. 11 events among many others. One does not have to agree with everything she says to appreciate the force and logic of her arguments, which amaze me. A more intellectual book few statesmen today can write (Kissinger being one rare exception); yet Thatcher is not commonly considered an intellectual. Surely one can expect nothing like this from the mind of Ronald Reagan (even before his Alzheimer's), and it would be interesting to see if the brilliant Clinton can match her. For me personally I'm especially impressed by her acknowledgement of China's past superiority versus Europe. She has the wits to say that for more than three thousand years China was actually ahead of Europe in every respect: scientifically, technologically, culturally, artistically, politically. One can see a Kissinger or a Paul Kennedy with their keen sense of history making this point, but not Thatcher; yet here it is. For good measure, she also uses a personal experience - involving a porcelain bowl - to predict China's destiny. Her analogy is subtle but superb. I don't want to give it away here. She does, however, say that "China is undoubtedly on course to become an economic superpower." Thatcher's assessment of the Chinese is overwhelmingly positive: "Wherever they go, even when they are living under the ramshackle quasi-socialism of mainland China, they show the same qualities of enterprise and self-reliance. And given the right economic framework, nothing is beyond them." (p. 115) Curiously she gets at least one important fact wrong regarding China. She thinks China's share of world trade is small - smaller than that of the Benelux countries! In fact, China is now the world's 4th largest trader. "In the ranking of merchandise exporters and importers, China became number four ahead of Canada (counting the EU as one trader)." (WTO Trade Statistics 2002) This does not even include Hong Kong and Taiwan, which are counted separately in all WTO figures. Needless to mention, China's trade growth is by far the world's fastest. The notion that India can balance off China, even as a future possibility, is one of Thatcher's fantasies. First of all, India is far behind China economically and militarily. This gap cannot be bridged any time soon, certainly not by a rising population in India. Second, China is developing close ties to Russia at a faster rate than India is or can hope to be. Until India can line Russia up firmly behind it against China - as was the case once upon a time - China can always play the Russia Card, not only against India, but also against the United States. Third, one cannot count on the relations between China and India to be hostile forever. Fourth, rapidly developing trade between China and the US means that the US has less and less room for maneuvers against China on behalf of another ally or potential ally (as India appears to be). Finally, in any event, China has a tremendous leverage against India in Pakistan, China's closest client-ally in South Asia. This tour de force is a must for students and practitioners of international affairs. Overall, she is a very realistic observer. Nevertheless, I honestly am not and have never been an uncritical fan of hers. This Garter Knight keeps fighting an uphill battle against Britain's integration into Europe - there's no hope of victory here. She also fails to address the sensitive issue of Scottish nationalism. Presumably the eventual but certain destruction of the 300-year-old United Kingdom is too painful even for the Iron Lady to talk about. But even when I find myself disagreeing with her, I can feel that she says what she means and means what she says. And no one can accuse her of being inconsistent over all these years. This book was presumably written before her strokes, when her mind was still clear. It would be a pity indeed if she can no longer write.
Rating:
Summary: A Marvelous Exposition of Her Worldview
Review: This is a primer and a prescription for US and British foreign policy. It is one of the best books I've ever read. It reaches me and is in synch with how I view the world, albeit from a more professional, seasoned point of view.
In a very real sense this book is aimed at America. It is brimming with enlightened pragmatism and compassionate realism. It fairly drips with levelheaded wisdom, running off of every page beginning with the first page of the Introduction. Thatcher takes an unassuming, almost motherly, perhaps too forgiving view of how the West let its guard down in the 1990s after the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.
She is unabashedly anti-communist and a devotee of President Ronald Reagan. She considers him to have been "the supreme architect of the West's Cold War victory" (10). In fact, she dedicated her book to him, "To whom the world owes so much." She believes "that Ronald Reagan and I spoke the same language (in every sense)" (7).
She has a deep love of America -- a connection -- what she calls "a certain idea of America" (20). This stems from her "consciousness of the underlying commonalities of the 'English-speaking world' and of its values" as well as the uniqueness of America and the English roots of that uniqueness. There is "an important truth about America -- namely that it is the most reliable force for freedom in the world, because the entrenched values of freedom are what make sense of its whole existence" (23). She quotes often and liberally from the Declaration of Independence.
Juxtaposed against this love for, and belief in, America is an overarching unilateralism and a resistance to political correctness. In this vein, she advises against making coalition-building a hard prerequisite. It depends on the situation, with America's best interests always paramount.
She has a wonderfully easy, fluid style -- erudite without being ostentatious. She summarizes at the end of most sections with bulletized recommendations. These succinctly capture the framework of her worldview. Borne of experience, they are clear enough to serve the amateur strategist as well as the seasoned diplomat. She shares her view of the world by taking us on a tour through regions, countries, hot spots, and individuals, with penetrating analysis and personal anecdotes.
We find, for example, that "China is one of two countries [to] have radically benefited in terms of the global power and importance from the end of the Cold War" (160), but the leadership in Beijing is fighting a delaying action. China is moving towards economic modernization, pulled inexorably by globalization. White it is a long way from becoming, and might never become, a Western-style democracy, it will become "at least a country whose population enjoy most of the benefits of freedom" (176). We will see a rising middle class, and the process will be facilitated by China's membership in the World Trade Organization. This can be seen in the experience of Hong Kong since transition. To maintain Hong Kong's economic vibrancy, Beijing cannot apply "coercive political measures." The reunification of Hong Kong, it seems to me, may prove to be the turning point, or at least acceleration, to a real "great leap forward."
Her insights are deep and broad, covering the spectrum of historical, political, military, and economic considerations; in each case, from the international level to the local. She has a fundamental faith in democracy and capitalism, but with an acceptance and understanding of the strength and benefits of cultural diversity as democracy and capitalism are practiced in different corners of the globe. She abhors communism, no matter what its nationality, with its totalitarian nature setting it apart from authoritarian regimes.
Her views on Europe are particularly interesting, and she goes into quite some detail about them. (Here she speaks primarily to Britain, not the US.) She sees the European Union as virtually inevitable, the idea being swept along with the currents of globalization, but she is very much against it. She's against surrendering British sovereignty. Moreover, she believes the EU will collapse of its own bureaucratic weight. In fact, there's nary any aspect of it that she thinks will work -- not its political cohesiveness, not a common currency, not its joint Rapid Reaction Force, etc. This is because the union is contrived -- an artificial construct of disparate elements with few if any common bonds.
Her path would be to negotiate a special framework for Britain within the EU -- one that would maintain (or restore) its sovereignty and control over its trade policy. If it cannot negotiate an acceptable set of membership conditions, Britain should "be prepared, if it became necessary, to unilaterally withdraw from EU membership" (402).
It would seem, of course, that the latter is what will come to pass if Prime Minister Tony Blair were to follow her advice since granting such special considerations -- special treatment -- would prove to be the undoing of the EU. (I suppose one could argue that the EU would do whatever it takes to keep Britain in, including a longer transition for Britain even it if meant a longer transition for other member nations, especially if she's correct that the EU needs Britain more than Britain needs the EU (397).)
One alternative to the EU, she suggests, is that Britain join NAFTA (which she would re-christen the North Atlantic Free Trade Area). Interesting thought. She's convinced it would be good for all involved. Anyway, her views and recommended actions reflect her faith in free market capitalism, which, in turn, reflects her faith in the collective intelligence and ingenuity of people.
Thatcher is a Reaganite, through and through, and like President Reagan accomplished during his administration, her book makes one feel good about America. Left-wingers likely will find much to criticize in it, but most of us will find much to cheer. A resounding five stars.
Rating:
Summary: The World Through Learned Eyes
Review: With Statecraft Margaret Thatcher takes us for a walk through the last quarter of the 20th century and provides us with her interpretations of the challenges we face at the dawn of the 21st. To be clear she provides ample evidence in defense of the policies she and Ronald Reagan laid down in the 1980's and a perspective that only can come from one who was intimately involved. But more importantly she provides a lucent examination the framework upon which international relations are conducted in the world today. This is not one of those lightweight looks at globalization found in the business section but rather a remarkably broad, deep and insightful look at the forces that have shaped international relations today. A must for anyone truly interested in international relations regardless of your politics.
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