Dr. Barnett has a Big Brain...

A little while ago, my friend Dave introduced the term 'complexity horizon' to me. He was reading a book on string theory and the author offered that there may be a single formula that explains the universe but it might simply be beyond the complexity horizon of humanity as we exist now. This elegant term rang true to me immediately. I had often tried to explain that truly understanding U.S. Foreign Policy was simply beyond the ability of most folks, Congress included. USFP decisions are informed by so many subjects: political science, economics, history, philosophy, psychology to only hit the high points. Most people excel at one specific subgroup of each major topic of study. Some may truly understand the entire subject with some depth. Fewer still had a working knowledge of all the broad topics that fuel the actions and reactions of our Country in relation to the world at large. But truly rare individuals understand all the various facets and much more importantly how they affect each other. Dr. Barnett is one of those dudes. Whether you agree with him or not, there's no denying that Blueprint for Action provides a logical, coherent framework that encompasses all the various forces that clash, collide and yank us around in this global pinball game. His section on China is worth the price of the book alone.

Basically, Dr. Barnett divides the world into two major groups: the Functioning Core and the Non-Integrating Gap. The Core is defined by a high degree of 'connectivity' with each other while the Gap remains weakly connected. He believes that all USFP decisions should be set against the larger goal of shrinking the Gap by adding its members to the Core. He covers this in depth in The Pentagon's New Map. Whereas that brilliant book put a round in the chamber, this one shows you how to pull the trigger. Dr. Barnett issues shattering indictments of the defense industrial complex and refuses to capitulate to populist social theories. Rarely have I been more excited by a book and I haven't felt this intellectually inadequate since the first time I picked up the Republic. You can buy the book by clicking here. Dr. Barnett mentions that he was interviewed by the WSJ's Greg Jaffe. I was once as well (about a completely separate issue) and this connection was the only thing that kept my from banging my barely viable brain into a hard wall. But don't let that dissuade you. If USFP interests you or you do business internationally, I believe you'll find this book informative and thought-provoking.