The Breaking of Nations : Order and Chaos in the Twenty-First Century

In this book, Robert Cooper sets out his radical interpretation of the new world order that has emerged from the debris of communism. It is an essential account of the times in which we live. 'A fluent, stimulating and often original book' Brendan Simms, Sunday Times 'An excellent new analysis of the cracks in today's geopolitical landscape.'Philip Stephens, Financial Times 'Intelligent and stylish' Robert Skidelsky, New Statesman'A seminal work: a brilliant and successful attempt to bring intellectual order to the chaos of the twenty-first century.' François Heisbourg, International Institute for Strategic Studies

In this book, Robert Cooper sets out his radical interpretation of the new world order that has emerged from the debris of communism. It is an essential account of the times in which we live.

'A fluent, stimulating and often original book' Brendan Simms, Sunday Times
'An excellent new analysis of the cracks in today's geopolitical landscape.'Philip Stephens, Financial Times
'Intelligent and stylish' Robert Skidelsky, New Statesman'A seminal work: a brilliant and successful attempt to bring intellectual order to the chaos of the twenty-first century.' François Heisbourg, International Institute for Strategic Studies

"In The Breaking of Nations, Robert Cooper shows that the key question confronting postmodern states is how they should deal with a world in which missiles and terrorists ignore borders and where the certainties of the Cold War alliances no longer exist. He argues that Europeans have to be prepared to use the rougher methods of an earlier era - force, pre-emptive attack, deception - if they are serious about safeguarding what they have achieved. He also articulates a doctrine of co-operative imperialism and underlines the moral values that lie behind foreign policy choices."--Jacket The landmark book by 'Europe's pre-eminent scholar-diplomat' (Robert Kagan), now in paperback: 'You have no excuse: if you want to be a responsible citizen and understand your country's foreign policy, you must read this book.' (Johann Hari, Independent on Sunday) The year 1989 marks a break in European history.