Carnegie Council Podcasts On Grand Strategy, with John Lewis Gaddis
15 snips
Apr 13, 2018 Renowned historian John Lewis Gaddis discusses timeless principles of grand strategy and the fox vs. hedgehog concept. He explores balancing ambition with realism in historical strategy, dives into Chinese strategic literature, and reflects on the influence of Cold Wars on democracy in South Korea and Taiwan. Gaddis also touches on the influence of liberal politics on elite university campuses.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Unexpected Book Origins
- John Lewis Gaddis's book, On Grand Strategy, originated from a playful idea.
- He jokingly suggested writing a book about foxes and hedgehogs as a cover story, but it became a serious project.
Memorable Concepts
- The fox and hedgehog distinction's enduring appeal highlights the power of memorable concepts.
- Turning ideas into animals, like the fox and hedgehog, makes them stick.
Lincoln's Surveying Analogy
- Gaddis found inspiration in the movie Lincoln, where Lincoln compared strategy to surveying.
- A compass provides direction (true north), but you also need situational awareness to avoid obstacles.