Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Us vs. Them summary
The Failure of Globalism
23 mins
Brief summary
Us vs. Them by Ian Bremmer is a non-fiction book that explores the rising global tensions between nations, cultures and classes. It offers insights into the factors behind these divides and practical solutions for building a more cohesive and peaceful world.
Table of Contents
Us vs. Them
Summary of 8 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 8
Globalism has created economic winners and losers and an “us vs. them” mentality.
For decades, Western political leaders have promoted globalism: the flow of ideas, commerce, services and people across borders.
Globalism makes economies more efficient by moving production and operations to parts of the world where the people and materials are cheaper. That has helped people everywhere get wealthier – consumers in rich nations get cheaper goods on shop shelves, and workers in developing nations get access to new jobs.
But there have also been many losers, as companies have moved jobs abroad or simply automated them. Since 1979, for example, the US has lost almost 40 percent of its factory jobs. The American middle class, traditionally the country’s economic majority, is declining. In 1970, middle-income households earned 62 percent of income in the United States. In 2014, that number was 43 percent.
These impacts of globalism are having an effect on our society and politics. A growing sense of economic insecurity is driving dissatisfaction, and, in turn, populist movements.
For example, polling conducted in 2015 found that only 6 percent of people in the United States, 4 percent in Britain and 3 percent in France believed the state of the world was getting better.
Populist politicians of the left and right are tapping into this sense of frustration with an “us vs. them" message. It sets "us" against "them" – "us" being the working and middle classes, and "them" being elites, immigrants, or both.
You can see this “us vs. them” paradigm from the left, when Senator Bernie Sanders or the Greek leftist prime minister Alexis Tsipras talk of big corporations, exploitative bankers and the political elite.
From the right, we’ve seen how the impact of globalism, and, in particular, the sense of a threat to American jobs, has helped propel Trump into office. Trump was able to talk plainly to voters angry that their factories were shuttered, and jobs lost; while bankers in New York and politicians in Washington appeared to thrive, and Mexican and other Latin American immigrants found new opportunities.
And though French far-right populist Marine Le Pen may not have won the French presidency in 2017, her election campaign looked a lot like Trump’s. She called for a “revolution” against open borders and the incoming foreigners supposedly stealing French jobs.
As the popularity of figures like Le Pen indicates, this sense of us vs. them is not purely about jobs, but also about culture and nationality. Let’s take a closer look.
Want to see all full key ideas from Us vs. Them?
Key ideas in Us vs. Them
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Us vs. Them about?
Us vs. Them (2018) explores how globalism has created both winners and losers and explains how the losers are now looking to set things right. In countries from the United States to China, from Venezuela to Turkey, unhappy citizens are making new demands of their governments, and populist politicians are promising easy answers. Us vs. Them offers a lucid take on the forces disrupting societies around the world and suggests potential solutions for the future.
Us vs. Them Review
Us vs. Them (2018) by Ian Bremmer provides a thought-provoking exploration of the global rise of populism and its implications for the future. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Through in-depth analysis and careful observation, it sheds light on the societal divides that are shaping politics and economics around the world.
- By examining the root causes behind populism, the book offers valuable insights into how we can address the growing polarities in our societies.
- With its engaging storytelling and fresh perspective, this book provides a deep understanding of the current geopolitical landscape while keeping readers intellectually stimulated.
Best quote from Us vs. Them
People who are afraid for their livelihoods lash out as they look for others to blame for their troubles.
—Ian Bremmer
Who should read Us vs. Them?
- Anyone interested in understanding populist forces and their origins
- People concerned about the impact of robots on the workforce and society
- Readers interested in foreign affairs and political science
Categories with Us vs. Them
Book summaries like Us vs. Them
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
37 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Us vs. Them FAQs
What is the main message of Us vs. Them?
The main message of Us vs. Them is that understanding the drivers of populism helps us navigate today's political landscape.
How long does it take to read Us vs. Them?
The reading time for Us vs. Them varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Us vs. Them a good book? Is it worth reading?
Us vs. Them offers valuable insights into the rise of populism and its impact on global politics. Recommended for those interested in understanding current political dynamics.
Who is the author of Us vs. Them?
The author of Us vs. Them is Ian Bremmer.
What to read after Us vs. Them?
If you're wondering what to read next after Us vs. Them, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Every Nation For Itself by Ian Bremmer
- The Accidental Superpower by Peter Zeihan
- The End of the World Is Just the Beginning by Peter Zeihan
- Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
- Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell
- Capital Ideas by Peter L. Bernstein
- House of Huawei by Eva Dou
- Grand Transitions by Vaclav Smil
- 2030 by Mauro F. Guillén
- Hue 1968 by Mark Bowden