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The J Curve: A New Way to Understand Why Nations Rise and Fall
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd (2006-10-16)
ISBN: 0743274717
EAN: 9780743274715
Dewy Decimal #: 320.3
Hardcover: 320 pages
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Customer Reviews
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Rating  (4)
Date: 2008-07-30
I bought this book as someone completely ignorant as regards International Relations and politics, and found it surprisingly informative and easy to read. Whilst it was tough going in places, Bremmer provided a rigorous yet readable account of the internal politics of various different "example" countries, in a way which I (as a novice) was able to comprehend.
The only reason this drops a star is the section on Iraq, which was obviously written when Saddam Hussein was still in power, even though the book was published after his downfall, which does date it slightly.
Nevertheless, highly recommended to anybody like me who wants to understand a little bit more about how the world ticks!
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Interesting Times
Rating  (5)
Date: 2007-07-11
We live in interesting times and this is very much a book of the times. With `terrorism' and `democracy' the discourse of the day, this book provides a paradigm for understanding how states work in the world in which we live. It presents various examples briefly and in detail to sketch out a simple thesis - that the internal stability of any state is directly related to its political and social openness. Utilizing a `J-curve', Bremmer places states on a continuum from `open' to `closed' and notes that as control is degraded in authoritarian systems, openness increases but so does instability. How we all manage the instability that Bremmer's curve identifies will be the key challenge of our forthcoming era.
An easy, breezy and interesting book for a general reader. A brilliant addition to any library.
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A new way of looking at nations' identities
Rating (5)
Date: 2007-06-27
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
Nation states today are part of a delicate, interconnected global system, so one country's failure can create worldwide instability. While individual countries' problems seem disjointed, author Ian Bremmer provides a unified, overall way of explaining how nations develop in a world of constant change. He uses a "J curve" graph - featuring a center line shaped like a sans-serif J anchored in the upper right corner and tilted like a fishhook - to categorize countries according to their openness and stability. With this analytical system, Bremmer explains how each country flows along the J curve according to its unique history, culture and politics. Because his profiles make the world situation easier to understand, we consider this a major contribution to fostering a comprehensive view of world affairs. This book may not change the world, but it will help more people understand its intricate interconnections and why certain countries act as they do.
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After reading this book you'll see the world differently
Rating (5)
Date: 2007-05-17
2 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
This is a fascinating book for anyone who is interested in foreign policy and international affairs.
It's not only for policymakers but also for curious people who care about the present world that face so many questions about Iran's nuclear ambitions, the Middle East crisis, the Islamic terrorism, the U.S. foreign policy and a few others conflicts.
It's a new way that allows us to reconsider the flow of information throughout the newspapers, the news, etc; and to be vigilant.
The author - Ian Bremmer, one of the most brilliant global political risk experts - offers up an interesting tour of the historical, economic, social and political situation of different countries.
Using a simple J curve design to demonstrate a relevant tool for understanding the place these different countries take in the world; and how those affect the "stability" and "openness" of each country.
You can remark that the relationship between openness and stability is not something constant.
States can travel both forward (right) and backwards (left) along this J curve; thereby stability and openness are never secure.
But the good news is that you also can travel in either country along the J curve.
This argument well informed us about all these complexities.
After all, is there any place in the world which is really stable?
It's worth reading this book; it'll really change your view on how the world works.
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A Great Read
Rating (4)
Date: 2007-03-24
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
This is a great read, which allows a better understanding of how some states have evolved they way they have, and how foreign policy (predominantly US) has affected whether these states have moved from 'closed' to 'open' states. Each country profile, given by Bremmer, provides a clear understanding of what it means for a counrty on their place on the J Curve. A great read where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Failed to gain 5 stars,as it does follow US policy rather than Western foreign policy (inc US, Europe etc). there may be other short comings in his arguement, but I will let you find that out for yourself.
Apart from that, well written and an enjoyable read.
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Retail Price: £17.99
Amazon.com's Price:£1.10
That's 94% Off!
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