One of America's foremost statesmen, Henry Kissinger was interested in how different countries, in different periods, in all parts of the globe have attempted to impose order on an often chaotic world. World Order sets out his understanding of how we make sense of the world politically. Kissinger identifies four principal competing methods by which order has been and is still sought: the European, Chinese, Islamic, and American, none of which is dominant. He asks whether a new, universal world order can be developed today. And, if so, should it be based on a 'realistic' approach, accepting that conflict is frequently unavoidable, or a 'liberalist' approach, seeking international cooperation?