Read the news section of the newspaper and there is confusion and uncertainty, a world buffeted by large forces people neither understand nor control. But turn to the sports section and it's all different. Michael Mandelbaum buffeteconfusioncontrol share on social
American influence in the world is certainly considerable, but the United States does not control, directly or indirectly, the politics and economics of other societies, as empires have always done, save for a few special cases that turn out to be the exceptions that prove the rule. Michael Mandelbaum americancaseconsiderable share on social
The United States will continue to be number one, and I do not see any country or group of countries taking the United States' place in providing global public goods that underpin security and prosperity. The United States functions as the world's de facto government. Michael Mandelbaum continuecountryfacto share on social
First of all, the world criticizes American foreign policy because Americans criticize American foreign policy. We shouldn't be surprised about that. Criticizing government is a God-given right - at least in democracies. Michael Mandelbaum americancriticizedemocracy share on social
If architecture is, as is sometimes said, music set in concrete, then football and basketball may be said to be creativity embodied in team sports. Michael Mandelbaum architecturebasketballconcrete Change image and share on social
All policy is a matter of gains and losses, upsides and downsides. Michael Mandelbaum downsidegainloss Change image and share on social
The main division in the world is between democratic and undemocratic countries. Michael Mandelbaum countrydemocraticdivision Change image and share on social
While analogies are useful, however, they can also be misleading. They smuggle in assumptions that can be wrong. Michael Mandelbaum analogyassumptionmislead Change image and share on social
The great thing about baseball is the causality is easy to determine and it always falls on the shoulders of one person. So there is absolute responsibility. That's why baseball is psychologically the cruelest sport and why it really requires psychological resources to play baseball - because you have to learn to live with failure. Michael Mandelbaum absolutebaseballcausality share on social
In the past when a country became as powerful as the United States, other countries would band together to clip its wings. But that isn't happening now and I don't think it's not going to happen, because other countries are not threatened by us, and they secretly appreciate the services that we provide, even if they don't usually say so. Michael Mandelbaum bandclipcountry share on social