From Empire to Community : A New Approach to International Relations

Rating:
Summary: Thought Provoking
Review: Etzioni's new book is in effect two books that contradict one another, each with a challenging and novel thesis. The first part argues that Western ideas about rights, autonomy and free markets are merely half of the moral narrative that ought to guide the development of a core of globally shared values. The other half, which the East brings to the table, are concerns for the common good, responsibility and community. He recognizes that these are far from alien concepts to the West, but especially when the USA "exports" values it neglects these "Eastern" values, as well, in recent history, at home. The thesis of an East West value synthesis is worth exploring in face of the arrogance of the West, claiming to have The Truth and treating others as heathens (Bush talks about crusades) and-- the East sense that the common good should guide all. A systensis of East West values does seem to have promise.
In contrast in part 2 From Empire to COMMUNITY , Etzioni makes a case for Western, at least U.S.A. domination. He points out that the U.S.A. has established, after 9/11, a global anti- terrorists police agency, supported by most nations of the world either out of self interest, or a sense that such a agency is needed, is legtimate, or because of American pressure. Etzioni key point is that although born out of might, such an agency make lay the foundation for a global state that can provide for more goods than fighting terrorists (E.g. humanitarian interventions) and a state it may gradually become more democratic. He points out that historical nations born out of force, such as Germany and the UK, became more democratic over time. An even more challenging thesis than the first one.
Thus while the first half deals with moral values, the second is much more grounded in real politics. While the first half plays down the role of the West, the second part is playing it up. One may wish that the true Etzioni stand up but one cannot deny the novelty and possible merit of both abutments.

Rating:
Summary: Global Security Architecture
Review: Professor Amitai Etzioni's most recent book, "From Empire to Community", offers a thought-provoking commentary on global socio-political trends. The wholistic analytical prism through which Professor Etzioni assesses today's realities and extrapolates to a world in closer harmony breaks through traditional academic silos. Will our world ultimately realize a "legitimate global architecture", as Professor Eztioni suggests? Who knows? But that may not be the point. Rather, the value of this book resides more with its challenge to the reader to consider potentially logical implications of a world in which east-west cultures and values may be coming closer together more than we have understood.
Professor Etzioni conjectures that the world is migrating toward a security-driven global authority, and submits a rather convincing body of evidence in support of this hypothesis. The trend toward political unification in Europe, and the longstanding "sphere of influence" geographical driver of national foreign policy renders it difficult to dismiss this argument out of hand.
Certainly our global connectivity includes communications, capital markets, health, environment, and safety. Professor Etzioni submits that a higher and enduring global political order may emerge from such centripetal forces.
Professor Etzioni's extensive global life experiences, substantive underpinnings and keen mind are consistently in evidence throughout "From Empire to Community". Although one may cite countervailing trends, empirical data and opposing arguments to those submitted by the author, this reader finds high levels of satisfaction resulting from joining Professor Etzioni on his analytical journey. In short, "From Empire to Community" is a must read for those who appreciate a 360 degree commentary on our highly complex socio, political, cultural and
economic enviroment from one of our foremost global thinkers.

Stewart E. Sutin, Ph.D.
President
Community College of Allegheny County

Rating:
Summary: Loving The New World Order
Review: Mr. Etzioni contends that the world is too rough of a place for nation states. That we need world government to contend with this evil entity called the internet. This treasonous book is a must read for every concerned citizen (probably about thirty total). Mr Etzioni comes from the infamous Council on Foreign Relations. This organization houses most of our political elite. It is responsible for a lot of our foreign policy. This isn't just some nut that wrote a book. This is the direction we are heading. Are you ready to give up your freedom for the New World Order? I'm not. Read this book and learn their strategies. Like how they substitute communitarianism for communism.

Rating:
Summary: Communitarian thinking
Review: This book applies communitarian thinking, and Etzioni's widely recognized insight into organizational behavior and political science to pressing modern international problems.

For those who may not have had exposure to the word "communitarian", it refers to a line of thinking that embraces both rights and personal responsibilities simultaneous, not just one or the other. It seeks to address the question of how to create a better and more moral society, but without resorting to collectivist big government (nor, on the other hand resorting to libertarian laize faire policies). In other words, communitarian political thinking opposes both bloated big (coercive) government, and impotently small government. Societal problems should be solved by individuals and communities whenever possible (thus the word 'communitarian') and society should intervene through government only where necessary.

As such, communitarian thinking has been indentifed with the 'moderate' or 'centrist' policies of Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, and has compared to the writing of "third way" thinkers such as Anthony Giddens. Communitarian thinkers have publicly praised communitarian initiatives of both Democratic and Republican administrations. Communitarian thinkers have also clearly criticized inclinations of some societies (e.g. some segments of traditional Japanese culture) to lord over individual freedom, initiative or privacy.

The book does not talk about these (above) issues at length, but I offer this explanation of communitarian political philosophy because it undergirds the author's thinking, and may help readers place things in context. Other scholars may explain these new communitarian ideas better than I, but I think they will generally agree with my summary.


Rating:
Summary: An Antidote to Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" Theory
Review: You could buy Mr. Lackey's ridiculous harangue of Professor Etzioni's "From Empire to Community" or you could consider the glowing assessments by the likes of former National Security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, Harvard Kennedy School ex-Dean Joseph Nye, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, Dean Anne-Marie Slaughter of Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and vice-chair of the 9/11 Commission Lee Hamilton. Best bet would be to read Etzioni's book yourself. If you do, you'll find a reasonable and perceptive yet accessible account of the foremost international problem facing the United States and how best to deal with it by one of the world's leading scholars, public figures and commentators. Professor Etzioni applies his powerful communitarian thinking to the emerging threat of terrorism and presents thoughtful alternatives to the "bring 'em on" approach that has alienated the U.S. from most of the world and won countless converts to extremist causes. Etzioni's book does not answer all the difficult questions before us. It does open the door for dialogue and mutual understanding among civilizations, and this is an infinitely saner and safer course than that offered by Samuel P. Huntington and others.

Rating:
Summary: An Antidote to Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" Theory
Review: You could buy Mr. Lackey's ridiculous harangue of Professor Etzioni's "From Empire to Community" or you could consider the glowing assessments by the likes of former National Security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, Harvard Kennedy School ex-Dean Joseph Nye, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, Dean Anne-Marie Slaughter of Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and vice-chair of the 9/11 Commission Lee Hamilton. Best bet would be to read Etzioni's book yourself. If you do, you'll find a reasonable and perceptive yet accessible account of the foremost international problem facing the United States and how best to deal with it by one of the world's leading scholars, public figures and commentators. Professor Etzioni applies his powerful communitarian thinking to the emerging threat of terrorism and presents thoughtful alternatives to the "bring 'em on" approach that has alienated the U.S. from most of the world and won countless converts to extremist causes. Etzioni's book does not answer all the difficult questions before us. It does open the door for dialogue and mutual understanding among civilizations, and this is an infinitely saner and safer course than that offered by Samuel P. Huntington and others.