In the rapidly dichotomizing political climate of the Western world, The New Silk Roads offers a timely inspection of the collaborative attitudes along ancient trade routes in the East. This region of the world offered a network of economic and cultural exchange that led to rapid growth in the twentieth century, and continues to embrace this same interconnectedness today. The author, Peter Frankopan, a Professor of Global History at Oxford University, takes a particular interest in the history of the Mediterranean, Russia, Central Asia, and beyond. This book is a culmination of his research in these regions and serves as a follow-up to his highly acclaimed 2015 book, The Silk Roads: A New History of the World. Frankopan presents an intimate reflection of his personal travels that appeals to many young and adult audiences. Despite being a stand-alone book, it appears to serve its purpose more as a continuation of The Silk Roads adapted to a more modern context.
Frankopan begins with a discussion of the past 25 years of rapid global change, and highlights the increasingly polarised political climate of the United States and the United Kingdom. Readers are then joined on his travels to Central Asia, where he explores the economic relevance of several regions too often overlooked in Western media. The author unravels his stance that the embrace of cross-border collaboration seen along the old Silk Road places Eurasia in a privileged economic advantage that starkly contrasts with the Trump and Brexit mentality of today. Frankopan largely echoes the themes of his previous book as he explores everything from the relevance of China’s Old Belt, One Road strategy to international dispute between Dubai and Djibouti over a port in East Africa.
Despite his passionate stance, Frankopan makes an effort to consider alternate viewpoints; he explains that his positive depiction of the silk road states is a broad-brush stroke in a larger picture of complex historical disagreement. He does concede that the region has also been rife with conflict and controversy, but also shows interest in Chinese President Jinping’s statement that “our real enemy is not the neighbouring country - it is hunger, poverty, ignorance, superstition and prejudice.”
Broadly, The New Silk Roads is a thought-provoking introduction to readers concerned with our economic and political fate, particularly those curious to see their place in an increasingly globalized world. The text is cleverly divided into five sections that explore various regions of the East and discuss the rivalry between economic superpowers, before ending with a reflection of its implications for our future.
Book Evidence
The author supports his stance with a myriad of references to political statements and policy descriptions. Frankopan engaged in extensive book, article, newspaper, and internet report research to provide a comprehensive overview of current economic and political trends. He frequently presents foreign trade policy through newspaper articles and government statements which occupy a large portion of the book.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Book
Overall, Frankopan offers a well-rationalized explanation of why he believes the East is rising while the West indulges in fragmentation and economic isolation. Through exploring contemporary examples of economic plays by the Silk Road states, he challenges the “closed borders” mentality saturating Western media. By doing so, the author encourages readers to reflect on their vulnerability to media-driven agendas and consider what they can learn from the East. For students of economics and for those curious about globalization, the book shares important lessons about the value of embracing global partnerships and strengthening trade relations. The New Silk Roads also serves as a call to action among readers to play an active role in challenging poor economic policy focused on nationalism instead of practicality, which can also extend to rising social and community issues forming division.
The specific examples he uses draw upon countries including China, India, and the Middle East, as well as the lesser discussed examples of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. By doing so, he highlights the clever strategy employed by seemingly lesser established economies which lie in contrast to trends in the West.
To enhance the accessibility of his text, Frankopan also investigates contemporary examples outside of politics, such as football and the motoring industry. He explores the changing influence in European football ownership and sponsorship that now involves the Silk Roads, while explaining how formerly “Western” brands from Volvo cars to Harrods clothing have also moved East. Frankopan employs widespread use of other topical references, particularly famous quotes of political figures including Donald Trump, which can be particularly impactful among a younger audience less acquainted with economic policy.
Given these successes, the book is not without its faults. As mentioned, it appears to serve more effectively as an extension of its predecessor, The Silk Roads. While the former book presented a game-changing appraisal of a multi-level system comprised of political, economic, military, and heritage from the once seldom visited perspective of the East, here Frankopan focusses more so on presenting his extensive research. Although largely presented in an easily accessible manner, there are occasions where the reader must process through arduous compilations of articles of research with little critical analysis offered of the literature. The effect is that readers can be left seeking a more deeply explored personal reflection rather than a mere regurgitation of articles. This is seen in stark contrast with The Silk Roads, which offered a greater depth of the personal analysis unique to Frankopan that readers yearn for.
The author also could have utilized other, perhaps unconventional, popular culture references. Particular attention could have been paid to the rise of the internet and technology in the East and its increasing dominance over many aspects of Eastern culture, while music trends such as Korean Pop have taken the world by storm. The role of migration in directing policy with widespread economic ramifications was also not discussed at length. Analysis of such cultural shifts could have illustrated their intricate interplay with current economic, political and social directions.
Although an interesting extension of the Occidentalism presented in his previous work, the author’s new book alludes to many interesting aspects of its precursor, but arguably without the same depth of analytical rigor.
Conclusion
Frankopan offers an intriguing extension of the highly relevant themes of collaboration and interconnectedness seen in his prior book, The Silk Roads. He importantly challenges isolationist Western politics as indicative of the failure of Europe and America to provide meaningful global leadership. Moreover, however, he provides a pertinent reminder that change is not only normal, but fundamental to humanity’s ongoing progress.
