Foreign Policy Top 100 Egos

We're gonna kick this blog off with the big boy right now, the Foreign Policy 100 Global Thinkers issue. Normally this issue of Foreign Policy is pretty atrocious and contains individuals that shouldn't be allowed within 1000 feet of Foreign Policy, much less be considered top global thinkers. This year, however, has engaged in even more stupidity than usual.

This first post will discuss the underlying ideology that drives Foreign Policy to publish the top 100 list. It is important to remember how Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, and the other major news outlets see themselves. They all view their own publications as influential in the policy making world and seek to expand this influence. For Foreign Policy this means bringing in career international affairs professionals to be writers. Once courting and influencing the Washington DC establishment becomes the goal of a publication there is only one possible outcome, that the publication will coddle, flatter, and worship these policy makers.

A dynamic of mutual support, reinforcement and flattery is thus established. Top 100 lists are just the logical extension of this. In essence Foreign Policy is just establishing itself in the age old DC beltway self love circle (he he). Ultimately its just a way to reassure policy makers that they matter and should keep buying Foreign Policy. I don't begrudge Foreign Policy this, its how they sell magazines, but I will call it out when I see it. On Monday we will dig into the actual top 100 list, and let the fun ensue.

Hi everybody!

I have decided that it is worth my time to take an ax to what passes for main stream commentary on international affairs. To this end my blog will comment on stories, blog posts, and letters published in the international affairs community. This doesn't mean academic work or deep analysis of the international order. From time to time I will undertake a running commentary on works like this. Hopefully you enjoy my insights and keep reading!