Old Links and New Ties: Power and Persuasion in an Age of Networks - Softcover

'David Howell challenges pessimism about Britain's role in an evolving world, and sets out with rare clarity how she can improve her status. He has produced an excellent and very readable book - for today and many years to come.' -The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH, former Prime Minister 'In a digitally networked world, Britain enjoys great soft power resources in the form of its culture, institutions, public diplomacy and historical connections at all levels through the Commonwealth and other associations. In this engaging and provocative book, David Howell presents his view of a smart power strategy to take advantage of these assets. It is a good read!' -Professor Joseph S. Nye, Jr, Harvard University and author of The Future of Power 'A very stimulating book, which maps out the revolution in diplomacy which the networked society of the twenty-firstcentury will bring'. - Paul Ormerod, Economist and author of Positive Linking: How Networks Can Revolutionise the World 'Who said you can't have your cake and eat it? Certainly not David Howell. Here he argues pungently that Britain, acting wisely, can choose the best of our relationship with Europe, with the Commonwealth, and [can] sometimes... [be] simply little Britain' -The Rt Hon Frank Field MP DL 'In elegant and simple prose, Lord Howell presents a powerful argument for a future consisting of networks among nations of people, not blocs of governments of countries.' -Matt Ridley, author of The Rational Optimist 'Repositioning the UK in a changing and growing world economy is not just a challenge but as David Howell outlines, a fantastic opportunity. He outlines many reasons to be optimistic about the role Britain can play globally in the future.' -Gerard Lyons, international economist and Chief Economic Advisor to the Mayor of London 'The resurgent Commonwealth is one of the mmost glorious paradoxes of the global economy- and it is great news for Britian. favid Howell rightly argues taht Brtain's future must be at the centre of global economy' - Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

In an international landscape, where emerging newly empowered states are projecting economic and political challenges from Asia, Africa and Latin America, countries like Britain have to redefine roles for themselves in a new order that has reshaped the world. These new roles, as envisaged by David Howell, will rely far more on connectivities and fluid networks than on geographically defined blocs. How will Britain fare in this entirely new international landscape? With power and influence shifting to the developing world, and with a growing network of hyper-connections and communications between nations, Britain is already fundamentally repositioned. In this context, Howell presents a unique solution: engage with and re-energise the existing Commonwealth network of nations which is bound together by history and cultural connections. Emphasising the importance of soft power in the digital age, the author argues against the restrictions posed by traditional blocs and for the dynamism which Commonwealth linkages offer. Challenging traditionally accepted economic and political theories, Howell presents a unique new perspective on international and diplomatic relations in the twenty-first century.