Robert D. Kaplan on a World Getting Darker (Members Only #320)

In this work, Ortega y Gasset traces the genesis of the 'mass-man' and analyzes his constitution, describing the rise to power and action of the masses in society. He criticizes the masses and the mass-men, contrasting 'noble life and common life' and highlighting the barbarism and primitivism he sees in the mass-man. The book does not refer to specific social classes but targets the bourgeois educated man who believes he has all the answers and extends his command over others, contemptuous of his ignorance in many areas. Ortega argues that the advances of civilization have led to the accession of the masses, which threatens the future of civilization.

The book, expanded from Kaplan's 1994 article in The Atlantic Monthly, argues that the period of the Cold War was an unusually stable and peaceful time in world history. Kaplan forecasts that the future will be marked by increasing urban crime, lawlessness, environmental destruction, disease, hunger, and war. He suggests that traditional political borders will become less relevant as power becomes more localized and identities are redefined along cultural or tribal lines. The book also discusses the importance of addressing the causes of these problems rather than just their consequences and advocates for a new kind of cartography that reflects the evolving nature of global conflicts and identities.

In this book, Huntington critiques modernization theory by arguing that political decay is as likely as political development. He emphasizes that social mobilization and economic growth do not necessarily lead to stable, democratic political systems. Instead, he stresses the importance of the development of political institutions in relation to the mobilization of new social forces into politics. Huntington argues that without strong political institutions, modernization can lead to instability and political decay, a concept he terms 'praetorianism. ' The book highlights the need for order in developing societies, independent of whether that order is democratic, authoritarian, socialist, or free-market.

Balkan Ghosts: A Journey Through History is a travelogue and historical analysis by Robert D. Kaplan, published in 1993. The book provides a detailed exploration of the Balkans, delving into the region's complex ethnic and political dynamics. Kaplan's work is noted for its influence on policymakers, including its impact on U.S. policy during the Yugoslav Wars. The book combines personal travel experiences with historical insights, offering a nuanced understanding of the region's tumultuous past and present.