Overview

In an international landscape, where emerging newly empowered states are projecting economic and political challenges from Asia, Africa and Latin America, countries like Britain have to redefine roles for themselves in a new order that has reshaped the world. These new roles, as envisaged by David Howell, will rely far more on connectivities and fluid networks than on geographically defined blocs. How will Britain fare in this entirely new international landscape? With power and influence shifting to the developing world, and with a growing network of hyper-connections and communications between nations, Britain is already fundamentally repositioned. In this context, Howell presents a unique solution: engage with and re-energise the existing Commonwealth network of nations which is bound together by history and cultural connections. Emphasising the importance of soft power in the digital age, the author argues against the restrictions posed by traditional blocs and for the dynamism which Commonwealth linkages offer. Challenging traditionally accepted economic and political theories, Howell presents a unique new perspective on international and diplomatic relations in the twenty-first century.

Full Product Details

Author:   David Howell
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint:   I.B. Tauris
Dimensions:   Width: 13.80cm , Height: 2.00cm , Length: 21.60cm
Weight:   0.284kg
ISBN:  

9781780768151

ISBN 10:   178076815
Pages:   256
Publication Date:   25 October 2013
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
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Table of Contents

CONTENTS PART ONE - Britain in a New Landscape Introduction Prospects for an Island in the Digital Age The purposes of this book described. Britain's Re-positioning Chapter 1: Riding Two Horses False Choices and How to Stay in the Circus Chapter 2: The Sixth Phase Power Passes to the Network Chapter 3: The View from the Watchtower and the Last Day A Pathway through the Mist Chapter 4. Old Links and New Ties The Commonwealth and connectivity. The new model PART TWO - Lifting the Barriers Chapter 5: The Age of Delusions The Myths ,Misconceptions and Muddled Thoughts holding Britain back Chapter 6: Europe 1: How Tomorrow Never Came Britain's global role abandoned in 1972; how the retreat into Europe occurred Chapter 7: Europe 2: The Party of January Twenty Three. Europe Re-united and Reformed: the New Agenda Chapter 8: The Onward March of Folly Resetting Trans-Atlantic relations . Partnership, not leadership Chapter 9: The Economists' Handicap How misguided economic theories trap us and block Britain's progress Chapter 10: The Energy Imbroglio The unnecessary energy crisis amidst energy plenty PART THREE - Power and Persuasion Chapter 11: The Instruments of Soft Power Influence and persuasion in the Digital and Real worlds Chapter 12 : The Face of the Future The Commonwealth's Dual Network; The Virtual and Real Worlds Combined Chapter 13. Drifting No More Conclusions , Gateways and a Role Recovered . Epilogue. Heroes, Destinies and the Coming Freedom ---------------------------------------------------------- Annex A. A Departure Note in Advance A note on leaving the Foreign and Commonwealth Office - putting the 'C' back into FCO Annex B. New Tasks and Tones for the Exercise of Authority Some thoughts on retaining power and legitimacy in the new era. Annex C The EU's climate and energy policy Holding Britain back; a note on the EU's misguided and growth-strangling measures

Reviews

'David Howell challenges pessimism about Britain's role in an evolving world, and sets out with rare clarity how she can improve her status. He has produced an excellent and very readable book - for today and many years to come.' -The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH, former Prime Minister 'In a digitally networked world, Britain enjoys great soft power resources in the form of its culture, institutions, public diplomacy and historical connections at all levels through the Commonwealth and other associations. In this engaging and provocative book, David Howell presents his view of a smart power strategy to take advantage of these assets. It is a good read!' -Professor Joseph S. Nye, Jr, Harvard University and author of The Future of Power 'A very stimulating book, which maps out the revolution in diplomacy which the networked society of the twenty-firstcentury will bring'. - Paul Ormerod, Economist and author of Positive Linking: How Networks Can Revolutionise the World 'Who said you can't have your cake and eat it? Certainly not David Howell. Here he argues pungently that Britain, acting wisely, can choose the best of our relationship with Europe, with the Commonwealth, and [can] sometimes... [be] simply little Britain' -The Rt Hon Frank Field MP DL 'In elegant and simple prose, Lord Howell presents a powerful argument for a future consisting of networks among nations of people, not blocs of governments of countries.' -Matt Ridley, author of The Rational Optimist 'Repositioning the UK in a changing and growing world economy is not just a challenge but as David Howell outlines, a fantastic opportunity. He outlines many reasons to be optimistic about the role Britain can play globally in the future.' -Gerard Lyons, international economist and Chief Economic Advisor to the Mayor of London 'The resurgent Commonwealth is one of the mmost glorious paradoxes of the global economy- and it is great news for Britian. favid Howell rightly argues taht Brtain's future must be at the centre of global economy' - Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

Author Information

David Howell (Lord Howell of Guildford) is a former Secretary of State for Energy (1979-81) and also served as Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for International Energy Policy (2010-12). He is the author of Out of the Energy Labyrinth (I.B.Tauris) and The Edge of Now.

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