The President’s Inbox A New U.S. Grand Strategy: A World in Permanent Crisis, With Robert Kaplan
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Feb 11, 2025 Robert Kaplan, an acclaimed journalist and the author of *Waste Land: A World in Permanent Crisis*, discusses the complexities of our interconnected world with James M. Lindsay. He argues that growing global interdependency heightens the risk of crises spanning multiple regions. Kaplan draws parallels to the Weimar Republic to illustrate the obsolescence of isolationism. The conversation delves into the relationship between order and freedom, the emotional fabric of politics, and the geopolitical decline of major powers, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of leadership decisions.
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World in Permanent Crisis
- The world is becoming increasingly interconnected due to technology shrinking geography.
- This interconnectedness makes the world more anxious, claustrophobic, and prone to crises that spill across borders.
Weimar Germany Analogy
- Robert Kaplan suggests viewing the current world through the lens of Weimar Germany, a period marked by constant crisis and interconnectedness.
- He argues that like Weimar, our world has an emerging system where crises are permanent due to increased global interconnectedness.
Order and Freedom
- Order, meaning functioning institutions, is a prerequisite for freedom.
- Without basic order, societies cannot function effectively, and individuals lack the security to pursue their goals.