The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
jay_catsby's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
florisw's review against another edition
3.0
This book looks to explain the threats to liberalism as they emerged since the fall of the Soviet Union through the concept of âimitationâ. OrbĂĄn and anti-European populists reject adopting Western liberalism because they will always be seen as second-rate liberals (imitation => disillusionment); Putin undermines Western liberalism by cynically exploiting and inverting it (imitation => retaliation); Trump and the America First movement see the USâs âlosingâ on the global stage through the lens of its imitation by competitors (imitation => dispossession). China, on the other hand, seems to reject imitating Western liberalism entirely, marking perhaps an end to the era of imitation.
The central conceit of imitation is surprisingly insightful. This is especially the case in the chapter on OrbĂĄn (perhaps because itâs closest to home), where the authors quite clearly identify the flaws in the EUâs patronising (?) approach to liberalising Hungary. I wouldnât consider myself a Euro-sceptic by any means, but this chapter does make me wonder whether the current approach to unifying European nations is that productive, especially if it involves forcing formerly communist states to adopt the values and systems of their erstwhile opponents.
The introduction is clear and to the point, and honestly all you need to read to get the main gist of the book. Unfortunately, the rest of it is quite repetitive, although the authors manage to keep the prose fresh with some cultural references (movies, books, TV shows) which help illustrate their points. Those points are a bit scattered, each chapter does read more like reading a train-of-thought than a well-constructed argument. I suppose the key thing is: if youâre interested in liberalism and these kinds of topics, Iâm sure this book will interest you as well. If youâre indifferent to it, I donât see why this book would change your mind.
PS. This is two books in quick succession now that the meaning behind the title is revealed on the final page. Not sure if I like this trend.
The central conceit of imitation is surprisingly insightful. This is especially the case in the chapter on OrbĂĄn (perhaps because itâs closest to home), where the authors quite clearly identify the flaws in the EUâs patronising (?) approach to liberalising Hungary. I wouldnât consider myself a Euro-sceptic by any means, but this chapter does make me wonder whether the current approach to unifying European nations is that productive, especially if it involves forcing formerly communist states to adopt the values and systems of their erstwhile opponents.
The introduction is clear and to the point, and honestly all you need to read to get the main gist of the book. Unfortunately, the rest of it is quite repetitive, although the authors manage to keep the prose fresh with some cultural references (movies, books, TV shows) which help illustrate their points. Those points are a bit scattered, each chapter does read more like reading a train-of-thought than a well-constructed argument. I suppose the key thing is: if youâre interested in liberalism and these kinds of topics, Iâm sure this book will interest you as well. If youâre indifferent to it, I donât see why this book would change your mind.
PS. This is two books in quick succession now that the meaning behind the title is revealed on the final page. Not sure if I like this trend.
chinesetakeout's review against another edition
5.0
SpoiĆa w caĆoĆÄ wiele wnioskĂłw ktĂłre gdzieĆ tam koĆataĆy siÄ po gĆowie nigdy nie wyartykuĆowane, daĆa odpowiedzi na pytania ktĂłrych nie zdÄ
ĆŒyĆam sobie zadaÄ ale podĆwiadomie potrzebowaĆam znaÄ na nie odpowiedĆș.
eigendecomp's review against another edition
5.0
This book offers a very effective model for understanding the shit that's going on in many parts of the world. The analysis of Trump, Russia, and the Central European autocrats seems to me to be spot on. China perhaps less so.
All models are of course wrong. But some are more useful that the others and this one is quite useful.
All models are of course wrong. But some are more useful that the others and this one is quite useful.