World Order: Reflections on the Character of Nations and the Course of History
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- Create Date：2022-01-23 08:51:23
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：Henry Kissinger
- ISBN：0141979003
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Summary
"In World Order， Henry Kissinger - one of the leading practitioners of world diplomacy and author of On China - makes his monumental investigation into the 'tectonic plates' of global history and state relations。
World Order is the summation of Henry Kissinger's thinking about history， strategy and statecraft。 As if taking a perspective from far above the globe， it examines the great tectonic plates of history and the motivations of nations， explaining the attitudes that states and empires have taken to the rest of the world from the formation of Europe to our own times。
Kissinger identifies four great 'world orders' in history - the European， Islamic， Chinese and American。 Since the end of Charlemagne's empire， and especially since the Peace of Westphalia in 1648， Europeans have striven for balance in international affairs， first in their own continent and then globally。 Islamic states have looked to their destined expansion over regions populated by unbelievers， a position exemplified today by Iran under the ayatollahs。 For over 2000 years the Chinese have seen 'all under Heaven' as being tributary to the Chinese Emperor。 America views itself as a 'city on a hill'， a beacon to the world， whose values have universal validity。
How have these attitudes evolved and how have they shaped the histories of their nations， regions， and the rest of the world？ What has happened when they have come into contact with each other？ How have they balanced legitimacy and power at different times？ What is the condition of each in our contemporary world， and how are they shaping relations between states now？
To answer these questions Henry Kissinger draws upon a lifetime's historical study and unmatched experience as a world statesman。 His account is shot through with observations about how historical change takes place， how some leaders shape their times and others fail to do so， and how far states can stray from the ideas which define them。 World Order is a masterpiece of narrative， analysis and portraits of great historical actors that only Henry Kissinger could have written。"
World Order is the summation of Henry Kissinger's thinking about history， strategy and statecraft。 As if taking a perspective from far above the globe， it examines the great tectonic plates of history and the motivations of nations， explaining the attitudes that states and empires have taken to the rest of the world from the formation of Europe to our own times。
Kissinger identifies four great 'world orders' in history - the European， Islamic， Chinese and American。 Since the end of Charlemagne's empire， and especially since the Peace of Westphalia in 1648， Europeans have striven for balance in international affairs， first in their own continent and then globally。 Islamic states have looked to their destined expansion over regions populated by unbelievers， a position exemplified today by Iran under the ayatollahs。 For over 2000 years the Chinese have seen 'all under Heaven' as being tributary to the Chinese Emperor。 America views itself as a 'city on a hill'， a beacon to the world， whose values have universal validity。
How have these attitudes evolved and how have they shaped the histories of their nations， regions， and the rest of the world？ What has happened when they have come into contact with each other？ How have they balanced legitimacy and power at different times？ What is the condition of each in our contemporary world， and how are they shaping relations between states now？
To answer these questions Henry Kissinger draws upon a lifetime's historical study and unmatched experience as a world statesman。 His account is shot through with observations about how historical change takes place， how some leaders shape their times and others fail to do so， and how far states can stray from the ideas which define them。 World Order is a masterpiece of narrative， analysis and portraits of great historical actors that only Henry Kissinger could have written。"
Reviews
Hamza I。
，
Yeah， not what I expected， definitely not for me。
Shubhra
，
This is an interesting historical read on what constitutes world order spanning many centuries and nations – across Europe and then America。 But this is Kissinger and while his knowledge is impressive， everything is viewed through rose tinted American eyes and it starts to read more like the American version of world order than a global one。 The chapters on America and its role in the world are hard to swallow – do Americans really believe in American exceptionalism and the pursuit of “liberty” This is an interesting historical read on what constitutes world order spanning many centuries and nations – across Europe and then America。 But this is Kissinger and while his knowledge is impressive， everything is viewed through rose tinted American eyes and it starts to read more like the American version of world order than a global one。 The chapters on America and its role in the world are hard to swallow – do Americans really believe in American exceptionalism and the pursuit of “liberty” as opposed to naked self-interest？ I was reminded of the Facebook surveys which used to ask if Facebook was a “force of good in the world”。 But， put all that aside and you learn lots。 The last chapter on technology and world order for example， was clear and deeply insightful。 。。。more
M Thomas
，
He seems to be a smart guy。This is not a description of how the world works filled with all the dirt that Dr。 Kissinger possesses。 Rather， it is a description of how the various power centers believe the world SHOULD work and their role in the global system。 This is highly valuable given that most of us in the West view the world through （as he repeatedly says） the lens of the Westphalian （1648 treaty） system of sovereign states。 This is an indispensable book for those who wish to think about ge He seems to be a smart guy。This is not a description of how the world works filled with all the dirt that Dr。 Kissinger possesses。 Rather， it is a description of how the various power centers believe the world SHOULD work and their role in the global system。 This is highly valuable given that most of us in the West view the world through （as he repeatedly says） the lens of the Westphalian （1648 treaty） system of sovereign states。 This is an indispensable book for those who wish to think about geopolitics。By the way， there's almost nothing on Africa or Latin America， which is realpolitik in literature。 。。。more
RJ Deeds
，
Very interesting perspectives from a US Secretary of State on how diplomacy works - or doesn't - in the different regions of the world。 What to say， what not to say - and why。 Kissinger comes across as a widely-read man， who delved into history and worked his way through those histories in depth to see how it has shaped views of the different peoples around the globe today。 As Nixon's main policy advisor on world affairs， it is clear Kissinger has developed deep insights into the souls of his fe Very interesting perspectives from a US Secretary of State on how diplomacy works - or doesn't - in the different regions of the world。 What to say， what not to say - and why。 Kissinger comes across as a widely-read man， who delved into history and worked his way through those histories in depth to see how it has shaped views of the different peoples around the globe today。 As Nixon's main policy advisor on world affairs， it is clear Kissinger has developed deep insights into the souls of his fellow diplomats around the world。 He delves into European history to see what held the peace between countries in times gone by; he also looks at why such approaches eventually failed。 He puts particular emphasis around some key events in European history， in particular events around the 30 Years War。 The Peace of Westphalia and its aftermath are of particular interest to him and he keeps coming back to it throughout the book。 He does a fine job in defining how western Europe was kept in order via the central control of The Holy Roman Empire。 All local feuds had to take account of the common denominator， the Pope in the Vatican。 In large part， states were aligned to dynastic families。 The Westphalian pact was drawn up in a way to maintain a balance of power of the family blocs， who were warily eying each other up and down for any signs of weakness。 The treaty was the first attempt to create a new order and create a balance of power between states and move away from the centralised control model of The Holy Roman Empire。 He points out the balance of power was maintained in Europe by mutual suspicion。 France were dominant from the west， Russia from the east and the Prussian/German states were meat in the sandwich。 Britain acted as an honest broker - and policeman - for Europe on account of the dominance of its navy on the high seas。 Kissinger contrasts the European approach of power-brokering （which is to some extent the American Project） to that of China， a country which has always seen itself as omnipotent。 Throughout the history of China， the world - as seen by Chinese rulers - was China and anywhere else subservient。 Japan， for 200 years， actively disengaged from world politics as they believed they were self-sufficient and superior in terms of development to anywhere else; this period of disengagement probably helped define its uniqueness。 Kissinger contrasts how Middle East peoples will， in the first instance， identify with tribal allegiances and religious persuasion before displaying any patriotic love of nation （。。。as defined by geographic borders， which is a Western construct。。 e。g。 being Shiite trumps being a Muslim trumps being Iranian）。 Underpinning much of Middle East politics is that of Jihad， a conviction held by many Muslims。 Kissinger defines Jihad as a forever quest to convert the WHOLE world to Mohamadism， through force if necessary。 This contrasts with the Christian missionary approach of trying to win followers over through the modus operandi of conversion。 Nonetheless， the Christian faith has not been averse to imposing its own will on non-believers with episodes like the Crusades and the Inquisition etc。， mirroring that of Jihad。 He makes interesting points on the nuclear debate。 He says we've been here before; guns when we only had bow and arrows; tanks when heretofore we only had horse cavalry; planes when we only had ground troups/cannons etc。 What is different today is we have an information age where anyone has the ability to create havoc for civilisation at the touch of a button from a bedsit in Peckham。 Today， anyone with a computer can be the enemy。 It's not necessarily rogue states that have to be watched; anyone， including minority groups with an agenda， has capability。 Kissinger points out that we have overcome such uncertainty before; we can learn from history and manage for good again。 He was quite supportive of Nixon as President， a person who never went down as a president for the ages。 Kissinger shows how the American philosophy of the World Policeman evolved over time and explains when it should and shouldn't intervene in world events。 It was very insightful， a great brain for a man of 98。 What surprised me was that he didn't deal with the rise of Trumpism and the subsequent fracturing of American society or how that might impact on America's world standing in future。 He alluded to to the rise of misinformation （QAnon etc。） but didn't really develop it （e。g。 how in many ways the internet has subverted real news， how causes are being developed from a base of sand）。 I know he couldn't put everything in the book but I certainly would have been interested in knowing his thoughts on how the GOP seems to be driving a wedge through American society today and how it might impact， in the long run， on America's standing in the world order。 Have a dictionary at your side when reading this treatise。 Kissinger has a great command of the English language and you are likely to come across some archaic words that may confuse a little。 A good read。 。。。more
Mahya danesh
，
هنری کسینجرتو ان کتاب از نظم هایی که در ادوار مختلف بر جهان حاکم شده مثل （موازنه قوا و دوقطبی زمان جنگ سرد و هژمونی امریکا ） حرف میزنه و پذیرش متفاوت مناطق مختلف از این نظم به ویژه در خاورمیانه و حتی یه فصل متفاوت برای ایران。توی این کتاب احساس کردم تمایل و تاکید کسینجر بیشتر روی دو شکل از نظم بود یکی موازنه قوا که از پیمان وستفالی اغاز شده و یکی هژمونی امریکا بعد از فروپاشی شوروی。کتاب روان نوشته شده و ترجمه خوبی هم داره ولی به نظرم زیادی درباره امریکا نویسنده غلو کرده ،انگار که رسالت امریکا پیام هنری کسینجرتو ان کتاب از نظم هایی که در ادوار مختلف بر جهان حاکم شده مثل （موازنه قوا و دوقطبی زمان جنگ سرد و هژمونی امریکا ） حرف میزنه و پذیرش متفاوت مناطق مختلف از این نظم به ویژه در خاورمیانه و حتی یه فصل متفاوت برای ایران。توی این کتاب احساس کردم تمایل و تاکید کسینجر بیشتر روی دو شکل از نظم بود یکی موازنه قوا که از پیمان وستفالی اغاز شده و یکی هژمونی امریکا بعد از فروپاشی شوروی。کتاب روان نوشته شده و ترجمه خوبی هم داره ولی به نظرم زیادی درباره امریکا نویسنده غلو کرده ،انگار که رسالت امریکا پیامبری و اطلاح و نظم سازی در جهانه و بقیه موظف به اطاعت از اون 。هرچند من خودم موافق یک سری اصول و هنجارهای جهانی هستم ولی به شیوه معتدلانه چون به قول خود کسینجر پیاده کردن این نظم توی هر نقطه از جهان قرار نیست یک پاسخ مشابه بده گاهی خودش ایجاد بی نظمیو به وجود اومدن گروهک هایی مثل القاعده میکنه 。。خلاصه که خوندنش واسه بچه های روابط بین الملل و علوم سیاسی واجبه ولی بقیه اگه صرفا علاقه دارن بخونن ،با نخوندنش شاید چیز خاصی رو از دست نداده باشن。راستی این چه طراحی افتضاحی بود که برای جلد داشتن😄ادم بدش میومد سراغ کتاب بره😅😅 。。。more
Moisés
，
Buen libro al inicio， después es muy pro EEUU
Ali Khosravi
，
Despite the author's unspeakable record in office， this is a very thought provoking and worthwhile read。 It is rooted in a deep historical perspective and in places the tone is surprisingly idealistic and liberal。 It is punctured with an American exceptionalist worldview。 The last chapter on the Internet and technology is quite perceptive and given that it was published in 2015， well before the Trump era and the Cambridge Analytica debacle， it sounds rather prophetic。I still can't work out wheth Despite the author's unspeakable record in office， this is a very thought provoking and worthwhile read。 It is rooted in a deep historical perspective and in places the tone is surprisingly idealistic and liberal。 It is punctured with an American exceptionalist worldview。 The last chapter on the Internet and technology is quite perceptive and given that it was published in 2015， well before the Trump era and the Cambridge Analytica debacle， it sounds rather prophetic。I still can't work out whether he thinks democracy and human rights are universal values or culturally contingent。 。。。more
Lika
，
World Order by Henry Kissinger is written very interestingly。 The author easily conveys the power and meaning about national interests of the states。But some events are described very subjectively。
Ellie
，
Prophetic - predicted a Trump-style presidency very accurately。 Lots of big words/concepts but interesting and I learnt something。
Rob Sedgwick
，
Hard work in placesThe book is good in places， hard work in others。It is written in dry， abstract terms， only occasionally does the author drop into the first person to relate something that happened in his career。 But in general it explains a。lot and puts some of the world's problems in context。 Although it was written a while ago this is mainly about the bigger stuff which changes only occasionally so it will probably still be full of wisdom for decades。 Hard work in placesThe book is good in places， hard work in others。It is written in dry， abstract terms， only occasionally does the author drop into the first person to relate something that happened in his career。 But in general it explains a。lot and puts some of the world's problems in context。 Although it was written a while ago this is mainly about the bigger stuff which changes only occasionally so it will probably still be full of wisdom for decades。 。。。more
Nelson
，
Kissinger offers a thought-provoking and often thorough treatise on the origins of domestic and international conduct between major global players。 A description of historical events beginning with the Thirty Years' War， where a generally accepted version of a foreign policy based on sovereignty and non-intervention was sown， Kissinger describes the evolution of world order from this pivotal moment and how seemingly subsequent， disjointed events are quite relevant in establishing the next phase Kissinger offers a thought-provoking and often thorough treatise on the origins of domestic and international conduct between major global players。 A description of historical events beginning with the Thirty Years' War， where a generally accepted version of a foreign policy based on sovereignty and non-intervention was sown， Kissinger describes the evolution of world order from this pivotal moment and how seemingly subsequent， disjointed events are quite relevant in establishing the next phase of order。 The denouement of Kissinger's book offers up a sobering critique， clearly a political challenge that is manifest today， of how technology and the information age can bolster international order or hinder a unifying balance of power。 His careful and exacting commentary is both captivating and edifying。 Kissinger delicately establishes the context of each major event in history that played a role in advancing world order and its profound effects in contributing to the international community。 Key global figures and major powers， from the Ottoman empire to the US and China of today， are given considerable critiques。 I was very delighted to have read this exceptional piece and has achieved a rarity of provoking me to read more on the subject。 。。。more
Muhammad Pattal
，
this book covers different views for world governance and gives insight on politics and international relations among leading countries of the world
Iva Jar
，
Spousta zajímavých informací， ale pro mě podané ve strašně suché a nezajímavé formě。Myslela jsem， že si trochu rozšířím přehled， ale vlastně jsem se stejně začala chytat až v letech， kdy jsem byla už sama na světě。Asi nejvíc mě bavila poslední část - o informačních technologiích a tedy současné době。Stejně jako nemám ráda knihy o 50。 letech u nás， nejvíc jsem trpěla právě u pasáží z tohoto období。
Zaryab Fatima
，
Henry Kissinger offers in World Order a deep meditation on the roots of international harmony and global disorder。 Drawing on his experience as one of the foremost statesmen of the modern era—advising presidents， traveling the world， observing and shaping the central foreign policy events of recent decades—Kissinger now reveals his analysis of the ultimate challenge for the twenty-first century: how to build a shared international order in a world of divergent historical perspectives， violent co Henry Kissinger offers in World Order a deep meditation on the roots of international harmony and global disorder。 Drawing on his experience as one of the foremost statesmen of the modern era—advising presidents， traveling the world， observing and shaping the central foreign policy events of recent decades—Kissinger now reveals his analysis of the ultimate challenge for the twenty-first century: how to build a shared international order in a world of divergent historical perspectives， violent conflict， proliferating technology， and ideological extremism。There has never been a true “world order，” Kissinger observes。 For most of history， civilizations defined their own concepts of order。 Each considered itself the center of the world and envisioned its distinct principles as universally relevant。 。。。more
Robin Tanner
，
Really enjoy Kissinger prose and find the level of detail and learnings of history and sociopolitical progression since the middle ages。 This has been described as a condensed version of Kissinger's Diplomacy。 Really enjoy Kissinger prose and find the level of detail and learnings of history and sociopolitical progression since the middle ages。 This has been described as a condensed version of Kissinger's Diplomacy。 。。。more
Joseph Kibera
，
nice book 。。。Henry covered all the world history
D。 Parker Samelson
，
Very insightful commentary on Kissinger on world order from the perspectives of the various state and non-state groups that make up its component parts。
Nick Fleming
，
The kind of book that scares the shit out of you， just because it can。 Kissinger provides a summation of nation-building and statecraft that really would've helped in Year 12 Global Politics。 Unfortunately， I was too busy punting VBs at the time to notice。 What a shame。 The kind of book that scares the shit out of you， just because it can。 Kissinger provides a summation of nation-building and statecraft that really would've helped in Year 12 Global Politics。 Unfortunately， I was too busy punting VBs at the time to notice。 What a shame。 。。。more
Davide Redini
，
Un libro di grande spessore。 L’autore sviscera tutti i concetti di geopolitica， diplomazia e sociologia ad un livello stratosferico。 L’ordine mondiale con l’avvento della Tecnologia e del Cyberspazio è a una svolta universale。 L’umanità sarà in grado di guardare al futuro con speranza ？ L’umanità sarà in grado di rispettare le conquiste sociali e di benessere degli ultimi 500 anni passando per il supplizio di svariate tragedie umane ？ Gli Stati Uniti saranno ancora loro “la fiaccola” delle liber Un libro di grande spessore。 L’autore sviscera tutti i concetti di geopolitica， diplomazia e sociologia ad un livello stratosferico。 L’ordine mondiale con l’avvento della Tecnologia e del Cyberspazio è a una svolta universale。 L’umanità sarà in grado di guardare al futuro con speranza ？ L’umanità sarà in grado di rispettare le conquiste sociali e di benessere degli ultimi 500 anni passando per il supplizio di svariate tragedie umane ？ Gli Stati Uniti saranno ancora loro “la fiaccola” delle libertà degli individui ？ Domande che troveranno una risposta se l’umanità sarà in grado di far tesoro del passato per affrontare il futuro。 L’ordine mondiale sta mutando e gli attori sono pronti per salire sul palco。。 un motto prima dell’esibizione sul Palco del Mondo。。 “M***a m***a m***a。。！！” 。。。more
Hassaan Naeem
，
Thought provoking。 Regardless of your view on Kissinger and his policies， his abilities to express a multitude of approaches to tackle problems within the realm of international relations and human affairs in general， is unparalleled。 I guess this is what made him such a great diplomat， he can find ways to cater to all sides and hold all opinions as his own。 Although the many short comings during his time in power are reflective of a different nature and represent an inability to execute in real Thought provoking。 Regardless of your view on Kissinger and his policies， his abilities to express a multitude of approaches to tackle problems within the realm of international relations and human affairs in general， is unparalleled。 I guess this is what made him such a great diplomat， he can find ways to cater to all sides and hold all opinions as his own。 Although the many short comings during his time in power are reflective of a different nature and represent an inability to execute in reality on an equal and balanced level such as expressed in his writing， there is incredible wisdom in his words。 Will re-read。 。。。more
Animesh Mitra
，
Good introductory book on international politics。 Kissinger writes well。 Got some new information like Westphalian state system， Westphalian sovereignty， Westphalian system of world order， the treaty of Westphalia 1648 after 30 years of war， absolute sovereignty of the state and the right to be non interfered by other states， the congress of Vienna 1805 after the bloody Napoleonic revolutionary wars， US the shinning city at the hill， Monroe doctrine， Marshall plan， Nixonian pragmatism， Kissinger Good introductory book on international politics。 Kissinger writes well。 Got some new information like Westphalian state system， Westphalian sovereignty， Westphalian system of world order， the treaty of Westphalia 1648 after 30 years of war， absolute sovereignty of the state and the right to be non interfered by other states， the congress of Vienna 1805 after the bloody Napoleonic revolutionary wars， US the shinning city at the hill， Monroe doctrine， Marshall plan， Nixonian pragmatism， Kissingerian Machiavellism and realism etc。 。。。more
Aubri
，
Hurray for globalist psychopaths
Sergio
，
Muy buen libro。 Con visión histórica， analiza el orden mundial de tal forma que nos hace ver el bosque en el cual mayoritariamente vemos árboles。 Totalmente recomendable。
Kun Shao
，
🤯
Kikaliyo Kemdoshians
，
More emphasis is given to the superpowers and emerging economies。 In my opinion （which is very vague， also kind of stupid and hypothetical） Small nations will play a decisive role in the future。 Power will shift from west to east again。 West will intervene but East will settle the issues。 Chinese culture won't cross the Chinese border but China will。 Indian values will be used to promote peace and create unity in separate parts of the world。 Arrogance or self-bias of Americans will reduce with t More emphasis is given to the superpowers and emerging economies。 In my opinion （which is very vague， also kind of stupid and hypothetical） Small nations will play a decisive role in the future。 Power will shift from west to east again。 West will intervene but East will settle the issues。 Chinese culture won't cross the Chinese border but China will。 Indian values will be used to promote peace and create unity in separate parts of the world。 Arrogance or self-bias of Americans will reduce with time， Islam will rise and fall。 Eventually， the world will always be a better place than it is today （including or excluding humans）。 PS: I don't know how to provide a good review， that's why i write anything that comes to mind。 Sorry :） 。。。more
William
，
This book is incredibly dense and thought provoking。 I struggled to get through it because reading each chapter （50 pages or so） was a 2-3 hour endeavor。 I’m not a slow reader， but you end up stopping every few sentences to take in and analyze what Kissinger is saying。 While challenging， this is a great book for anyone interested in public policy， especially （obviously） foreign policy。
Vaibhav Chauhan
，
Very brief Not much explanation givenBit confusing And very American view on issues since ww2
Madla
，
Poslouchala jsem ji jako audioknihu， zatímco jsem bloudila po kokořínských lesích。 Musím přiznat， že bylo těžké udržet pozornost。 Myšlenky v ní obsažené jsou zajímavé， ale ten jazyk！ Co lze napsat cizím slovem， to tak je napsané。 Autorovi zřejmě nešlo o to， přitáhnout k sobě širokou veřejnost。 Občas jsem se nad tím musela pousmát， ale zároveň to strašně zabíjí pozornost a chuť to vnímat。Takže obsah velice zajímavý。 Třeba předpovědi ohledně Afganistánu。 Ale ta forma！ Jako klasickou knihu bych to Poslouchala jsem ji jako audioknihu， zatímco jsem bloudila po kokořínských lesích。 Musím přiznat， že bylo těžké udržet pozornost。 Myšlenky v ní obsažené jsou zajímavé， ale ten jazyk！ Co lze napsat cizím slovem， to tak je napsané。 Autorovi zřejmě nešlo o to， přitáhnout k sobě širokou veřejnost。 Občas jsem se nad tím musela pousmát， ale zároveň to strašně zabíjí pozornost a chuť to vnímat。Takže obsah velice zajímavý。 Třeba předpovědi ohledně Afganistánu。 Ale ta forma！ Jako klasickou knihu bych to určitě nedočetla 。。。more
Khalid Reads
，
Very detailed on the subject of foreign policy。 At times （various） I felt as though it was only addressing the American audience。 I agree with the author in the end that we have to rediscover the international order that is more inclusive and respective。 Also had to labor through some chapters maybe that has to do with Author's style。 All in all， a great book indeed on the subject and highly recommended。 Very detailed on the subject of foreign policy。 At times （various） I felt as though it was only addressing the American audience。 I agree with the author in the end that we have to rediscover the international order that is more inclusive and respective。 Also had to labor through some chapters maybe that has to do with Author's style。 All in all， a great book indeed on the subject and highly recommended。 。。。more
Yassir Radil
，