To compete and thrive in the 21st century, democracies, and the United States in particular, must develop new national security and economic strategies that address the geopolitics of information. In the 20th century, market capitalist democracies geared infrastructure, energy, trade, and even social policy to protect and advance that era’s key source of power—manufacturing. In this century, democracies must better account for information geopolitics across all dimensions of domestic policy and national strategy.
A discussion with Dr. Graham T. Allison on his new book, Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’s Trap?
"Thucydides’s Trap" is a deadly pattern of structural stress that results when a rising power challenges a ruling one. Allison argues that unless China is willing to scale back its ambitions or Washington can accept becoming number two in the Pacific, a trade conflict, cyberattack, or accident at sea could soon escalate into all-out war.
Are China and the United States on a path to conflict? What steps must both powers take to avoid disaster?
Featuring:
Dr. Graham T. Allison, Douglas Dillon Professor of Government and Director, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Graham Allison has served as Special Advisor to the Secretary of Defense under President Reagan and as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy and Plans under President Clinton. His first book, Essence of Decision: Explaining the Cuban Missile Crisis, ranks among the all-time bestsellers with more than 450,000 copies in print.
Note: Attendees must be registered as a member of the Pacific Council in order to RSVP. More information available here.