INTEL 738

Strategy Paper on Boomers: Literary Contributions and Their Vision of World Order

Executive Summary

This paper analyzes the significant contributions of the Baby Boomer generation (those born between 1946-1964) to the literary world and explores the world order they believed in. By examining the quantity and quality of books written by Boomers, alongside their ideological views on global governance, geopolitics, and society, we aim to understand how their narratives shaped or reflected the changing world order in the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st.

I. Introduction

The Baby Boomer generation is one of the most influential cohorts in modern history. They lived through momentous events such as the Cold War, civil rights movements, the Vietnam War, globalization, and the rise of digital technologies. Their experiences influenced their worldview, reflected in a vast corpus of literature—spanning politics, philosophy, economics, and culture.

This paper will focus on:

The volume and thematic trends of books written by Boomers.
The world order envisioned by these authors, reflecting their generational values and experiences.

II. Volume and Thematic Focus of Boomer Literature

A. Quantifying Literary Output

Prolific Writers: Boomers have written extensively, particularly from the 1980s onwards, with peak productivity observed in the 1990s and 2000s as they reached the height of their careers.
Political Writers: Figures like Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton contributed significant works on governance, diplomacy, and leadership.
Fiction Writers: Authors like Stephen King, Don DeLillo, and Margaret Atwood penned culturally impactful novels.
Academics and Thinkers: Influential thinkers like Francis Fukuyama, Thomas Friedman, and Noam Chomsky shaped academic discourse, especially on geopolitics, globalism, and neoliberalism.
Publishing Trends: The rise of self-publishing platforms and digital distribution in the 2000s allowed Boomers to publish more broadly, leading to a surge in content.

B. Key Themes in Boomer Writing

Geopolitical Realism and Liberal Internationalism:

Many Boomer writers emphasize the post-World War II liberal world order, with organizations like the United Nations and NATO seen as stabilizing forces.
Writers like Henry Kissinger, a key figure of this generation, advocate for realpolitik, promoting pragmatism in foreign policy to maintain global equilibrium.
Francis Fukuyama’s “End of History” (1992) posited that liberal democracy was the endpoint of ideological evolution, reflecting the optimistic global outlook post-Cold War.

Globalization and Neoliberalism:

Thomas Friedman’s “The World is Flat” (2005) captured the optimism of globalization and technology.
This generation largely promoted free markets, trade liberalization, and the interconnectedness of the global economy as a path to peace and prosperity.

Environmental Awareness:

In books like Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” (2006), Boomers also brought global attention to climate change, environmental degradation, and sustainability.
The environmental movement, birthed in the 1960s and ‘70s, found expression in numerous works calling for a global response to ecological crises.

Civil Rights and Social Movements:

Many Boomers wrote about the social revolutions they witnessed or participated in, such as the civil rights, feminist, and LGBTQ+ movements.
Gloria Steinem, for example, has written extensively on gender equality, while Ta-Nehisi Coates (though younger, highly influenced by Boomer-era social thought) has written on racial justice.

Technological Advancement and the Digital Age:

Writers like Bill Gates and Ray Kurzweil embraced technology, AI, and futurism, reflecting the Boomer generation’s deep engagement with technological progress and its global impact.

Dystopian Concerns and Critiques of Modernity:

Authors like Margaret Atwood in “The Handmaid’s Tale” (1985) warned of potential societal regressions, reflecting Boomer concerns over authoritarianism, environmental collapse, and technology.

III. The World Order Boomers Believed In

A. Liberal World Order

Most Baby Boomer intellectuals grew up under the influence of the post-World War II liberal world order, which promoted:
Democratic governance.
Free trade and economic interdependence.
Collective security through alliances like NATO.
The rule of law in global affairs via institutions such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization (WTO), and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Boomer leaders like Bill Clinton and Tony Blair were strong proponents of this order, believing that open markets, diplomacy, and international institutions were the best safeguards against conflict.

B. Neo-Conservatism and Realism

Following events like the 9/11 attacks, Boomers also contributed to a re-evaluation of globalism. Intellectuals like Samuel Huntington (author of “The Clash of Civilizations”) and Paul Wolfowitz (neo-conservative strategist) questioned the idealism of liberal internationalism.
These writers promoted a more realist and sometimes interventionist stance in international affairs, particularly in the context of U.S. hegemony.

C. Critiques of Globalization and Neoliberalism

Writers like Joseph Stiglitz critiqued the neoliberal economic policies that became prevalent during the Boomer era, arguing that unregulated markets often exacerbated inequality, both within nations and between the developed and developing world.
Noam Chomsky, one of the most prominent Boomer critics, condemned U.S. foreign policy, neoliberalism, and corporate power, advocating for a more just and equitable global system.

IV. Influence on Contemporary Thought and the Future of World Order

As Boomers age, their legacy continues to influence the current geopolitical landscape:

Populism and Nationalism: Contrary to the liberal order many Boomers envisioned, there has been a rise in nationalism, with movements like Brexit and the election of Donald Trump representing a pushback against the globalism Boomers often promoted.
Technological Governance: The shift to a digital world, accelerated by technology, has deepened global connectivity, a trend Boomers largely embraced but which also introduced issues of privacy, data security, and authoritarian control.
Environmental Crisis: While Boomers contributed significantly to the environmental movement, the next generations face the urgent challenge of implementing the sustainability measures advocated by Boomer writers.

V. Strategic Recommendations

Engage in Intergenerational Dialogue: Encouraging collaboration between Boomers and younger generations can help address the gaps between the liberal globalism Boomers espoused and the emerging realities of populism, technological governance, and environmental crises.
Revitalize Global Institutions: Drawing on the lessons from Boomer writers and policymakers, there should be a concerted effort to reform global institutions like the United Nations and WTO to address modern challenges, ensuring they remain relevant and effective.
Foster Technological Literacy and Ethical Debates: Building on the Boomer legacy of technological advancement, future strategies must include promoting digital literacy and engaging in ethical debates about AI, data privacy, and the impact of technology on democracy.

VI. Conclusion

The Baby Boomer generation has left an indelible mark on literature, philosophy, and politics. Their prolific writing on governance, geopolitics, society, and the environment has both reflected and shaped the world order they lived in and believed in. As their influence continues to reverberate, future generations can draw on their insights to navigate a rapidly changing global landscape.

References:

Books, articles, and speeches by key Boomer authors such as Francis Fukuyama, Thomas Friedman, Al Gore, Margaret Atwood, and others.
Statistical analysis of publishing trends among Boomer writers.