Synopses & Reviews
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 re-positioned. In this context, Howell presents a unique solution: engage with and re-energize the existing Commonwealth network of nations which is bound together by history and cultural connections. Emphasizing 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 21st Century.
About the Author
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.
Table of Contents
PART I: BRITAIN IN A NEW LANDSCAPE
Introduction
1. Prospects for an Island in the Digital Age
2. The Purposes of this Book Described. Britain's Re-positioning
3. Riding Two Horses: False Choices and How to Stay in the Circus
4. The Sixth Phase: Power Passes to the Network
5. The View from the Watchtower and the Last Day: A Pathway through the Mist
6. Old Links and New Ties: The Commonwealth and connectivity. The New Model
PART II: LIFTING THE BARRIERS
7. The Age of Delusions: The Myths ,Misconceptions and Muddled Thoughts holding Britain back
8. Europe 1: How Tomorrow Never Came: Britain's Global Role Abandoned in 1972; how the Retreat into Europe Occurred
9. Europe 2: The Party of January Twenty Three: Europe Re-united and Reformed: the New Agenda
10. The Onward March of Folly: Resetting Trans-Atlantic relations. Partnership, not Leadership
11. The Economists' Handicap: How Misguided Economic Theories Trap us and Block Britain's Progress
12. The Energy Imbroglio: The Unnecessary Energy Crisis Amidst Energy Plenty
PART III: POWER AND PERSUASION
13. The Instruments of Soft Power: Influence and Persuasion in the Digital and Real Worlds
14. The Face of the Future: The Commonwealth's Dual Network; The Virtual and Real Worlds Combined
15. 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