Author: Richard Haass

Detailed Summary of “A World in Disarray” by Richard Haass

“A World in Disarray: American Foreign Policy and the Crisis of the Old Order” by Richard Haass is a comprehensive examination of the evolving landscape of global politics and the challenges facing American foreign policy. Published in 2017, the book is divided into three main parts:

1. Historical Context:

• Treaty of Westphalia (1648): Haass begins by discussing the Treaty of Westphalia, which established the concept of state sovereignty. This treaty marked the beginning of the modern international order where states were recognized as sovereign entities that should not interfere in each other’s internal affairs¹.
• 19th Century and the Congress of Vienna: The book then moves to the 19th century, highlighting the Congress of Vienna, which aimed to maintain a balance of power in Europe. This system eventually broke down, leading to the two World Wars¹.
• Cold War Era: Haass explains how the Cold War maintained a balance of power through nuclear deterrence and how the liberal democratic order shaped international relations during this period¹.

2. Post-Cold War Developments:

• End of the Cold War to Present: The second part of the book covers the 25 years following the Cold War. Haass discusses the emergence of new global challenges and the gap between these challenges and the ability of nations to respond effectively¹.
• China and Russia: He focuses on the evolving relationships with China and Russia, highlighting their significance in US foreign policy¹.
• Global Challenges: Haass addresses issues such as weak states, humanitarian crises, and terrorism, emphasizing the shift from non-interference to a more interventionist approach under certain conditions¹.

3. Future Directions:

• Current Disarray: The final part of the book examines the current state of global disarray, characterized by regional disputes and internal breakdowns that often require international intervention².
• Policy Recommendations: Haass offers insights and recommendations for future US foreign policy, stressing the need for a new approach to address the complexities of the modern world².

Reviews

• Kirkus Reviews: The book is described as a highly learned but sometimes ponderous survey that will appeal to policy wonks. It provides a systematic examination of the past, present, and future of international relations, though some readers might find it overly detailed².
• SuperSummary: This guide highlights the book’s detailed analysis of historical and contemporary foreign policy issues, making it a valuable resource for understanding the evolution of global politics¹.
• Four Minute Books: The review notes that while the book offers interesting lessons, it may not be the most engaging read for everyone. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the policies discussed to work towards a more unified world⁴.

Source:
(1) A World In Disarray Summary and Study Guide | SuperSummary. https://www.supersummary.com/a-world-in-disarray/summary/.
(2) A WORLD IN DISARRAY – Kirkus Reviews. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/richard-haass/a-world-in-disarray/.
(3) A World In Disarray Summary – Four Minute Books. https://fourminutebooks.com/a-world-in-disarray-summary/.
(4) A World In Disarray Book Summary, by Richard Haass. https://www.allencheng.com/a-world-in-disarray-book-summary-richard-haass/.
(5) Mislan on Haass, ‘A World in Disarray: American Foreign Policy and the …. https://networks.h-net.org/node/28443/reviews/191358/mislan-haass-world-disarray-american-foreign-policy-and-crisis-old.