World Order: Reflections on the Character of Nations and the Course of History

In World Order, Kissinger differentiates between the West (including Europe and the United States), Russia, China, and Islamic countries in a way that resembles Samuel P. Huntington’s “clash of civilizations” concept. What are the benefits and drawbacks of examining international relations through this prism?

How does Kissinger’s professional experience serving the Nixon and Ford administrations translate into his ideas about global order?

Throughout this book, Kissinger suggests that it is a handful of the so-called great powers that should establish the world order. This diminishes the role or leaves out many smaller countries from the decision-making process. How can the global order account for all countries in the world?

Kissinger's secret 1971 trip to China allowed Nixon to improve the relationship with that country, transforming the Cold War. How does Kissinger describe China’s historic development, and what is his view of China’s role in the 21st-century world order?

What role do international organizations, such as the United Nations Security Council, play in Kissinger’s global order? Can such organizations foster peace and prosperity around the world?

Why have historians and political figures, including Kissinger, harshly criticized the Versailles Treaty (1919)? Do you think that designing the Versailles Treaty differently would have changed the course of history?

Why does Kissinger call the Middle East a “world disorder”? Use textual evidence to explain the author’s position. Do you agree with his assessment?

According to Kissinger, what is the role of the United States in the global order? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answer.