Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century

The 21st century has brought a wave of geopolitical, economic, and democratic shocks, leading to central banks creating over $25 trillion of new money, geopolitical competition, destabilization of the Middle East, rupture of the European Union, and exposure of old political fault lines in the US. Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century is a long history of this present political moment, tracing the origins of these disruptions to fossil-fuel energies and explaining why they will remain in place as the green transition takes place.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The 21st century has witnessed a remarkable surge of geopolitical, economic, and democratic challenges that have left Western democratic societies grappling with complex and interconnected crises. These seismic events have triggered a wave of financial instability, sparked a new era of geopolitical rivalry, destabilized the Middle East, fractured the European Union, and exposed longstanding political fault lines in the United States. In response, central banks have injected an unprecedented amount of over $25 trillion into the global economy, ushering in a new era of monetary intervention.

This period of political disorder has been extensively documented in Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century, a comprehensive exploration of the current political landscape. The book weaves together three distinct histories—one focused on geopolitics, another on the global economy, and the third on Western democracies—to provide a comprehensive account of the events leading up to the pandemic. It sheds light on how the disruptions in each of these domains converged into a single narrative, highlighting the profound impact of fossil-fuel energies on the global economy and the challenges they continue to pose as we transition towards a greener future.

The book delves into the origins of this turbulence, tracing its roots back to the exploitative practices of fossil-fuel industries and their detrimental impact on the environment. It underscores the urgent need for a sustainable transition away from fossil fuels, recognizing that the long-standing predicaments energy invariably shapes will persist even as we strive for a more environmentally friendly future.

Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, scholars, and individuals seeking to understand the complex dynamics shaping our world. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the challenges facing Western democratic societies and provides insights into the potential solutions that can help us navigate the uncertain waters of the 21st century. As we confront the ongoing geopolitical, economic, and democratic crises, this book serves as a reminder of the importance of resilience, adaptability, and collaboration in addressing these complex challenges and building a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 146 x 222 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198864981