The World We're in

by Will Hutton

Widening his perspective from country (examined in previous volume, "The State We're In") to world, Will Hutton calls for Britain and Europe to offer alternatives to the American Way. Under President Bush America has been forthright in its isolationism - until the attack on the World Trade Center - but whatever happens next, it is undoubtedly true that Bush will pursue a policy of America first. Hutton argues for a countervailing balance - economically and socially - to the American model. Only, he argues, by making Europe a strong bloc - and that means adopting the euro - will we have the leverage to influence the USA as we would wish, in an attempt to make Europe a safer, more prosperous place.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Economics

Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Eric]

Quite enjoyed this. This book explains to the Brits why they are more European than American (shared history => shared core values). Has a pretty scathing attack on American conservatism, deplores its becoming the new global common-sense.

The danger with books like these is that they reinforce beliefs I already have (uh-oh, echo chamber), which lulls me into a sense of intellectual security. It would be good to hear from some thinking American conservatives what they make of this book.

Another issue is that I keep forgetting all the nice arguments that are made in this book. I'm sure I've lost of what I've read. I'm just left with a feeling of "rah, rah Europe", where if pressed, I could stammer out some incoherent mishmash of "social contract" and "long term thinking".

[Coffee & books · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aged like milk.