The Four Tests

A lucidly argued (Kirkus Reviews), illuminating, and ultimately optimistic roadmap for Americas future and the tests the United States must meet to maintain leadership and power in the 21st centuryfrom the former US Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. In todays fraught global and political climate, the assumption that America maintains its dominant status in global politics is waning. The divisions between us, economic changes driven by globalization and technology, as well as climate change, pandemics, and the resurgence of authoritarianism, make it difficult to be optimistic about Americas future. But what if we use this moment as an opportunity to think about what might come next, and how to build what we need to succeed? If were going to allow ourselves to diagnose a polycrisis then we should also admit the possibility of polyprogress. This book is a roadmap for those who want to take Americas challenges head on, and who hold on to the conviction that we can tackle them. In The Four Tests, Baer argues that we are living through a transition moment and lays out the four tests we must meet: -Scale: Can the US maintain enough scaleor create a facsimile of it through deeper partnerships with friends and alliesas China and other countries continue to rise? -Investment: Can the US muster and effectively direct resources toward investments, particularly investments in people, to lay a foundation for American success in the post-industrial economy? -Fairness: Can the US address unfairnesses in its economy and society so that they dont stifle growth and undermine social cohesion in a more competitive world? -Identity: Can Americans build a thin but shared political identity, inclusive of every American, that can hold us together and help us work together in a difficult global landscape? While each test poses significant challenges, the US has advantages that some of our most vexing competitors lack. Meeting these tests demands changes in behavior and culturefrom politicians, corporate leaders, and citizens. But if we meet these tests, then we can be confident of Americas future. The question is not whether we can succeedbut whether we will. Straightforward and hopeful, Baers pragmatic approach will provide fodder for discussion for Trump-supporting aunts and their Elizabeth Warrenstan nephews far beyond the beltway.