Henry Kissinger On World Order

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Henry Kissinger’s book World Order attempts to explain and analyze the worlds attempt at establishing a world order which promotes peace and cooperation. Kissinger argues that there has never truly been a world order and because of this we inherently live in a world of disorder. The reason his book is titled World Order is because he analyzes why other attempts at world order have previously failed globally, especially the Westphalia System, and looks at how to implement a future world order. Kissinger stresses the importance of a balance of power and legitimacy, “the vitality of an international order is reflected in the balance it strikes between legitimacy and power” (p.66). It is so hard to establish a global system because countries assume …show more content…
Many of the Asian countries, like Japan and China, believed in divinely selected leaders. Because of this, “Hierarchy, not sovereign equality, was the organizing principle of Asia’s historical international system” (p.179). While in current day Asia, “national-interest-based foreign policy premised on Westphalian principles seem to have prevailed” (p.174). Asia asserted this strong national identity post colonialism as a way to separate itself form colonialism as much as possible. “In Asia the maxims of the Westphalian model of international order find their contemporary expression” (p.178). While Asian countries like India, Japan, and China are on the rise they are in a constant race with one another, certain that they have something to prove. Because of this kind of environment, “the organization of Asia is thus an inherent challenge for world order” (p.213). They all have vastly different cultures and ideologies which results in varying national interests and inevitably leads to conflict, not peace. Kissinger believes China’s world order is worth time examining because of their historical progression and the severity of their intended world order. They view themselves as, “the sole sovereign government of the word” and thus, “world order reflected a universal sovereignty, not an equilibrium of competing states” (p.213). Historically, China has been reluctant to accept any form of the Westphalian system and these views completely reject the premise of the Westphalian system. China does not see itself as an equal international player but as an all-consuming ruler, a battle for ultimate hegemony. China’s cultural differences from other countries plays a significant role in its international interactions, “Americas approach to policy is pragmatic and China’s is conceptual” (p.226). China has recently, “fully participated in an international system of sovereign
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