📖 Overview
Parag Khanna is a geopolitical strategist, author, and global affairs expert who has written extensively about global power shifts, emerging markets, and the changing world order. His work focuses particularly on mapping global connectivity and analyzing how transportation, energy, and communication networks shape geopolitics and human civilization.
Throughout his career, Khanna has served as a foreign policy advisor during Barack Obama's presidential campaign and worked with various think tanks including the Brookings Institution and Council on Foreign Relations. His academic background includes a PhD from the London School of Economics and undergraduate studies at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service.
Khanna's most notable books include "The Second World," "Connectography," and "Move: The Forces Uprooting Us," which examine themes of global connectivity, urbanization, and human migration. His writing regularly appears in major international publications such as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Financial Times.
Since founding FutureMap, a strategic advisory firm, Khanna has consulted with governments and companies about global trends and strategic planning. He currently resides in Singapore, where he continues his research and writing on global affairs and future scenarios.
👀 Reviews
Readers find Khanna's geopolitical analyses thought-provoking but sometimes overconfident in tone. His books receive consistent 3.8-4.2 ratings across platforms.
Readers appreciate:
- Clear explanations of complex global trends
- Data-driven approach with concrete examples
- Strong grasp of Asian economic dynamics
- Detailed maps and visual aids
Common criticisms:
- Repetitive arguments across multiple books
- Makes broad predictions without sufficient evidence
- Western-centric perspective despite claiming global outlook
- Dense academic writing style that can be hard to follow
On Goodreads, "Move" averages 4.0/5 from 1,200+ ratings, while "The Future is Asian" holds 4.1/5 from 900+ ratings. Amazon reviews echo similar scores.
One reader notes: "Khanna excels at explaining connectivity but overstates his case." Another writes: "Strong research undermined by constant self-promotion and name-dropping."
Professional credentials lend authority to his work, though some readers question if his consulting background influences objectivity.
📚 Books by Parag Khanna
Connectography: Mapping the Future of Global Civilization (2016)
Analysis of how global infrastructure and supply chains are reshaping international relations and creating new power dynamics.
The Future Is Asian (2019) Examination of Asia's growing economic and cultural influence across multiple regions including East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
Move: The Forces Uprooting Us (2021) Study of human migration patterns and their effects on demographics, economies, and climate adaptation strategies.
Technocracy in America: Rise of the Info-State (2017) Analysis of potential governance models incorporating data-driven decision making and technical expertise.
How to Run the World: Charting a Course to the Next Renaissance (2011) Overview of modern diplomatic systems and the role of various actors in global governance.
The Second World: Empires and Influence in the New Global Order (2008) Analysis of emerging market countries and their position between superpower nations and developing states.
Hybrid Reality: Thriving in the Emerging Human-Technology Civilization (2012) Exploration of the relationship between human society and advancing technology.
The Future Is Asian (2019) Examination of Asia's growing economic and cultural influence across multiple regions including East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
Move: The Forces Uprooting Us (2021) Study of human migration patterns and their effects on demographics, economies, and climate adaptation strategies.
Technocracy in America: Rise of the Info-State (2017) Analysis of potential governance models incorporating data-driven decision making and technical expertise.
How to Run the World: Charting a Course to the Next Renaissance (2011) Overview of modern diplomatic systems and the role of various actors in global governance.
The Second World: Empires and Influence in the New Global Order (2008) Analysis of emerging market countries and their position between superpower nations and developing states.
Hybrid Reality: Thriving in the Emerging Human-Technology Civilization (2012) Exploration of the relationship between human society and advancing technology.