Westlessness

The must-read book to help you make sense of the world: perfect for fans of Prisoners of Geography, How the World Made the West and Empireland
'Well-informed and very valuable' - International Affairs
Donald Trump has been re-elected. The Russian-Ukraine war has entered its fourth year. China's economy is slowing down. Far-right parties and politicians are surging in popularity across Europe.
Westlessness by former UK diplomat Dr Samir Puri is here to help make sense of these continual, seismic shifts to the world order. In this book, he vividly demonstrates how in demographic, economic, military and cultural terms, we are hurtling into a far more diverse global future. Many of our certainties about the present, built on centuries of massive Western global impact, are increasingly fragile. Untold wealth is moving from the West to the East, as nations like India and Indonesia are set to reach new heights of growth and confidence. And China continues its ascent to the peak of the economic mountain - but are cracks appearing? And will the Western world, under the aegis of US global military, economic, technological and cultural power, give up its privileged position willingly?
Nothing is linear and nothing is predictable. Are we prepared, personally and professionally, for a far more diverse global future?
Prepared or unprepared, Westlessness is our guide to a new world order.
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What readers think:
'Insightful and thought-provoking. Highly recommended.' -----
'Loved this book - a real insight into how the world is changing and gives an interesting glimpse into the future. A great read and would definitely recommend!' -----
'A fascinating book written empathetically that deals with the shifting nature of power (im)balances in the world until now full of sober projections into the future. Westlessness does not take sides, is not alarmist, and is not emotional in any way - yet it deals with the complexity of feelings aroused over issues of identity (both Western and otherwise) and colonial legacy. A must read to understand the often bewildering world we now live in, written as a scholarly book in an accessible tone. ' -----

Samir Puri is an author, strategy advisor and former UK civil servant. He previously worked for RAND (2006-09) and the Foreign Office (2009-15). After government service he became a War Studies lecturer at King's College London (2015-18), during which time he also advised the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Ministry of Defence's think-tank. His most recent job was at IISS-Asia in Singapore (2020-22). In 2023 he became an Associate Fellow at Chatham House's 'UK in the World' programme.
He is the author of The Great Imperial Hangover: How Empires Have Shaped the World and Russia's Road to War with Ukraine: Invasion Amidst the Ashes of Empires.