For much of history, world politics was marked by profound scarcity in resources, information, and security. A series of historical revolutions has largely tamed this scarcity in ways few could have imagined. These revolutions, however, have generated new, potentially catastrophic challenges for the world - the problems of plenty.
In his new book, The Taming of Scarcity and the Problems of Plenty, Francis J. Gavin argues that the institutions, practices, theories, and policies that helped explain and largely tamed scarcity by generating massive prosperity, and which were sometimes used to justify punishing conquest, are often unsuitable for addressing the problems of plenty. Successful grand strategy in this new age of abundance requires new thinking.
Dr. Gavin joins Ronald J. Granieri on People, Politics and Prose to discuss his new book, the new international order, and the ways that understanding history can help us face the future.