We all know that power is shifting: from the West to the East and the North to the South, from presidential palaces to public squares, from formerly mighty corporations to agile startups, and, slowly but steadily, from males to women. However, power does not simply transfer and disperse. It's also rotting. Those in power now have less options for what they can do with it, and they are more likely to lose it than ever before.
Moisés Nam, an award-winning journalist and former Foreign Policy editor, examines the conflict between once-dominant megaplayers and the emerging micropowers that are challenging them in every sector of human effort in his book The End of Power. Nam explains how the anti-establishment drive of micropowers may overthrow rulers, overturn monopolies, and offer extraordinary new opportunities, but it can also lead to chaos and paralysis, based on fascinating, unique research. Nam expertly explores the tectonic shifts taking place in business, religion, education, family life, and all aspects of war and peace. There are several examples from various walks of life: In 1977, eighty-nine nations were controlled by autocrats, but now, democracy is home to more than half of the world's population. CEOs are under more pressure and serve for shorter periods of time than their predecessors. Groups like Hezbollah can now afford their own drones because to modern warfare's cheaper and more accessible instruments. The top ten hedge funds made more in the second half of 2010 than the world's largest six banks combined.
Those in positions of power maintain their position by creating formidable barriers to keep rivals at bay. Insurgent forces are dismantling such obstacles faster and easier than ever before, only to discover that they are becoming vulnerable in the process. Nam is a groundbreaking look at the impending end of power—and how it will affect your society. It is accessible and intriguing.
A world where players have enough power to block everyone else’s initiatives but no one has the power to impose its preferred course of action is a world where decisions are not taken, taken too late, or watered down to the point of ineffectiveness.
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