The Levelling – What’s next after Globalisation

The Levelling is an excellent, thought-provoking analysis of the future in store for different countries and continents. Michael o’ Sullivan insists that the age of globalisation has ended and a new world order is emerging with newer challenges. He takes us back to the Levellers movement of the 17th century Britain to engender ideas that can take us forward in the 21st century.

Although focused more on Europe and US, the book deals with certain very important challenges that all our countries in the world are facing like growing indebtedness, slowing down of economies and emerging new powers with different political approaches. He aptly sees the distinction between the Leveller model – popular and rule-based powers and the Leviathan model – dominant leader-centric powers.

The remedies and solutions he suggests based on the historical experience of the world are certainly worthy of consideration. Of particular interest, besides the Leveller experience of Britain, is the chapter on the Hamilton project and what would Alexander Hamilton, the first Treasury Secretary of the United States in the 17th century, do if he were to return today and assigned to address the present challenges of the world.

Interestingly, Sullivan repeatedly stresses that India has the potential to rise as an influential pillar in the world if it does things in the way they should be done. How much I wish some of the policy makers of our government find time to read this interesting book!!!