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Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers summary
Yan Xuetong
How leadership determines the fate of nations
25 mins
Brief summary
'Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers' by Yan Xuetong is a political analysis that claims the key to international leadership in a changing global order is moral authority instead of military or economic strength.
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Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers
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Key idea 1 of 7
A state’s leadership is the most significant factor in its rise and fall.
What makes a state powerful on the international stage? Is it an effective military and strong economy? Or is it soft power, like a country’s popular culture or its diplomatic strength? Well, the truth is that it’s not any one of these alone – it’s the way they’re all wielded by the leadership of the state.
The key message here is: A state’s leadership is the most significant factor in its rise and fall.
When we’re considering what makes a nation powerful, we have to focus on four separate factors. These are its political leadership, its military, its economy, and its cultural influence. Obviously, a powerful military allows for a nation to act defensively – or offensively – in the most devastating way. A strong economy means that a state will be able to invest in its own interests. And a vibrant and attractive culture means that a country will wield soft power all over the world.
But it’s how these different factors are managed that matters most. And this comes from political capability, or the leadership, of a nation. With an effective political leadership, the other three factors increase in strength. Conversely, if the leadership is ineffective, they will decline, and the nation will lose influence and prestige on the world stage.
As powers rise and fall, there’s one quality that makes a state’s leadership effective or not. This is its capacity for reform. But what kind of reform exactly? Well, simply put, “progressive” reform that gives the state an advantage over its international rivals, rather than “retrogressive” reform. For instance, an example of progressive reform might be signing free trade agreements with other nations that help goods and services flow frictionlessly. An example of retrogressive reform, on the other hand, might be slashing funds to vital infrastructure projects.
Powerful, dominant states are usually less inclined to carry out progressive reforms. This is because established powers tend to be proud of their existing political and social institutions, and see no reason for change. A rising power, on the other hand, is more incentivized to make these reforms, as it has more to gain. Whether it’s able to make them is another matter, however, and depends on the effectiveness of its leadership.
In our modern global system, the United States is the dominant state, while China is the fastest rising state. Whether this remains so depends on the leaderships of both countries, but especially on the leadership of the US. This is because it’s easier for a state to lose its dominant status than it is to gain it.
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What is Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers about?
Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers (2019) considers the way that leadership determines the fate of nations. Yan Xuetong reflects on the rise of China and the USA’s diminishing stature while speculating on how the international order might look like in a few decades.
Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers Review
Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers (2019) is a thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between leadership and global dominance throughout history. This book is definitely worth reading because:
- It provides fascinating insights into the dynamics of power and offers a fresh perspective on the rise and fall of great nations.
- By examining historical case studies and analyzing the strategies of different leaders, it offers valuable lessons for current and future decision-makers.
- The book challenges conventional wisdom and stimulates critical thinking, making it an engaging and intellectually stimulating read.
Best quote from Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers
Americas international authority in the twenty-first century is much lower than it was in the 1990s.
—Yan Xuetong
Who should read Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers?
- Anyone interested in Sino-American relations
- Geopolitics buffs
- Those working in international relations
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Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers FAQs
What is the main message of Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers?
The main message of Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers is about the importance of leadership in international relations.
How long does it take to read Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers?
The estimated reading time for Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers is several hours. But you can read the Blinkist summary in just 15 minutes.
Is Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers a good book? Is it worth reading?
Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers is worth reading if you're interested in understanding the role of leadership in the rise and fall of nations.
Who is the author of Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers?
The author of Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers is Yan Xuetong.
What to read after Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers?
If you're wondering what to read next after Leadership and the Rise of Great Powers, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- Filterworld by Kyle Chayka
- Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquinas
- Common Sense by Thomas Paine
- The Reality Game by Samuel Woolley
- The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
- The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell
- Limitless by Jim Kwik
- The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene
- Leading Without Authority by Keith Ferrazzi with Noel Weyrich