Analysis & Opinions - Foreign Policy
Be Afraid of the World, Be Very Afraid
Five global problems that are getting worse—and may never get better.
Who's right: Cassandra or Dr. Pangloss? Are we on the brink of serious trouble, as Cassandra of Greek myth prophesied, or is all for the best "in this best of all possible worlds," as the fictional Pangloss insisted in Voltaire's Candide? In recent decades, Cassandra-like warnings include Robert Kaplan's The Coming Anarchy, the late Samuel Huntington's The Clash of Civilizations, Bill McKibben's gloomy environmental and social forecasts, and predictions from everyone who thinks U.S. President Donald Trump will end democracy as we know it. On the other side, the ranks of neo-Panglossians include Steven Pinker, Joshua Goldstein, and (on some issues) John Mueller, who stress the extraordinary progress humans have made over the past 500 years and believe that risk of violence or other major disruptions continues to shrink.
I'm generally a fairly upbeat guy, despite my realist proclivities and my recurring frustrations at the embarrassing state of U.S. foreign policy. But today I'm going to indulge my inner Cassandra and describe the five bad things that worry me today. I hope I’m wrong....
Want to Read More?
The full text of this publication is available via Foreign Policy.
For more information on this publication:
Belfer Communications Office
For Academic Citation:
Walt, Stephen M.“Be Afraid of the World, Be Very Afraid.” Foreign Policy, May 20, 2019.
- Recommended
- In the Spotlight
- Most Viewed
Recommended
Analysis & Opinions
- The Washington Post
Trump Tweeted There's 'No Infighting' on U.S. Policy on Iran. But Does He Have All the Information?
Magazine Article
- Fair Observer
Sacrificing Nature Is Not an Option
Analysis & Opinions
- Foreign Policy
Europe's Future Is as China's Enemy
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Analysis & Opinions
- Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
To Enhance National Security, the Biden Administration Will Have to Trim an Exorbitant Defense Wish List
Journal Article
- Research Policy
The Relationship Between Science and Technology
Book Chapter
Russian Presidential Election, Basic Election Facts
Who's right: Cassandra or Dr. Pangloss? Are we on the brink of serious trouble, as Cassandra of Greek myth prophesied, or is all for the best "in this best of all possible worlds," as the fictional Pangloss insisted in Voltaire's Candide? In recent decades, Cassandra-like warnings include Robert Kaplan's The Coming Anarchy, the late Samuel Huntington's The Clash of Civilizations, Bill McKibben's gloomy environmental and social forecasts, and predictions from everyone who thinks U.S. President Donald Trump will end democracy as we know it. On the other side, the ranks of neo-Panglossians include Steven Pinker, Joshua Goldstein, and (on some issues) John Mueller, who stress the extraordinary progress humans have made over the past 500 years and believe that risk of violence or other major disruptions continues to shrink.
I'm generally a fairly upbeat guy, despite my realist proclivities and my recurring frustrations at the embarrassing state of U.S. foreign policy. But today I'm going to indulge my inner Cassandra and describe the five bad things that worry me today. I hope I’m wrong....
Want to Read More?
The full text of this publication is available via Foreign Policy.- Recommended
- In the Spotlight
- Most Viewed
Recommended
Analysis & Opinions - The Washington Post
Trump Tweeted There's 'No Infighting' on U.S. Policy on Iran. But Does He Have All the Information?
Magazine Article - Fair Observer
Sacrificing Nature Is Not an Option
Analysis & Opinions - Foreign Policy
Europe's Future Is as China's Enemy
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Analysis & Opinions - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
To Enhance National Security, the Biden Administration Will Have to Trim an Exorbitant Defense Wish List
Journal Article - Research Policy
The Relationship Between Science and Technology
Book Chapter
Russian Presidential Election, Basic Election Facts