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Wilson's Ghost: Reducing the Risk of Conflict, Killing, and Catastrophe in the 21st Century

Wilson's Ghost: Reducing the Risk of Conflict, Killing, and Catastrophe in the 21st Century

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A wake-up call, but not so original...
Review: This book, which tackles a daunting series of challenges in less than 250 pages, probably would serve as a good introduction for the general public. To the uninitiated, some of its propositions will indeed sound shocking, novel, and, as the authors would have it, innovative.

For readers and students who have spent the last few years dealing with the issue of post-Cold war conflict, however, or for anyone whose political views lean towards the left-side of the spectrum, the propositions elaborated upon in this book will probably sound familiar, if not a little repetitious.

While I do not disagree with most of the ideas propounded by the authors, I would recommend that intermediary to advanced policymakers, or readers who already have some familiarity with security issues, instead turn to John Steinbruner's Principles of Global Security - which, interestingly enough, is quoted on a number of occasions in McNamara's and Blight's cooperative effort.

On the other hand what did strike me about this book is Mr. McNamara's willingness to admit mistakes he or the various groups he has been part of might have committed in the past, most luridly during the Vietnam War. This was unexpected, and I appreciated the authors' openness. Much can be learned from mistakes committed, hence the importance of history.

Hopefully the ideas contained in this book will seep into the consciousness of the general public, engender discussion, and ultimately awaken the western civilization from its prevailing political stupor and outrageous disinterestedness. Then and only then will a largely disenfranchised West be in a position to demand that its leaders - who for the moment are laughing in their ivory tower of politics, filled with dreams of defense shields and the militarization of space - abandon their antiquated Cold War policies and step with conviction - and vision - into the 21st century. The fate of civilization might depend on it.

Although this book probably won't add much to the ongoing debate in the academic realm, it certainly has a place with the general public. McNamara's statute probably will contribute to increased sales, which, in a way, is not a bad thing, as it might influence people who otherwise would not have come in contact with the arguments proposed in this book.


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