by Bill O’Grady

This is the first formal book review we have conducted as a Weekly Geopolitical Report, although we have leaned heavily on books or papers for much of the content in other reports.  We believe this book is important because of its message and due to the proximity to the 2016 elections.

Our subject this week is a new book titled Superpower: Three Choices for America’s Role in the World, by Ian Bremmer of the Eurasian Group.[1]  Bremmer is a well-known political scientist and author who writes often about geopolitical issues.  His new book comes at an important juncture in American history.  At some point, America’s leadership will need to select a workable foreign policy for the post-Cold War world, which involves determining what America will do about the superpower role.  This is a topic we discuss often and, after reading this book, view Bremmer’s analysis as critically important in the examination of America’s foreign policy.  In this report, we will review Bremmer’s book, starting with his premise that none of the presidents since the fall of the Berlin Wall have developed a coherent foreign policy.  We will then focus on his three models of exercising the superpower role.  From this analysis, we will examine Bremmer’s choice in the matter and offer a critical assessment of his opinion.  As always, we will conclude with market ramifications.

View the full report

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[1] Bremmer, Ian. (2015). Superpower: Three Choices for America’s Role in the World. New York, NY: Penguin Publishing, Random House.