"Can Asians think?"

In other places in the book, it also seems as though you're saying that Western societies are disintegrating somewhat.

When I wrote some of these essays, in the early '90s, it was during a period when the West was saying, "We are perfect. Be like us." I had a much sharper tone than I would today. The only point I was trying to make is, "We are imperfect and so are you."

Do Asians think that Western societies have a lot of problems?

Yes. The concept of obligation to family is very different. I'm not saying one is right and one is wrong. American families are so strong. But if you look at the number of children born out of wedlock ... that's the sort of thing that Asian societies don't want to see happen.

A lot of people in the West think that the rest of the world hates us and our way of life. But in your book you say very strongly that that's not true.

No, in fact what puzzles people is how much praise I give the United States. The United States is by far the most admired society on this planet, bar none. There's no question about that.

And most people feel that way?

Yes, but the other thing that I tell my Western friends is this: Consider the possibility that non-Western minds can handle complexity, that they can actually see your tremendous strengths and also see your weaknesses. It's not a black and white view. The United States, as I keep saying with total conviction, has been the greatest power ever seen in the history of man, and the most benign great power ever seen in the history of man. I once made the mistake of naming countries and saying, "Can you imagine if this country had achieved as much power as the United States?" And of course the ambassador heard about it and gave me a real shoving. But the United States acts as a beacon for much of the world and what many people want to achieve.

Still, the United States is perceived as arrogant, bullying and all that.

Of course, it's not perfect. One of my strongest arguments is that it is in the interest of the United States to use its current position of dominance: "Sheer power and two huge oceans make Americans unaware of how the world is changing. The great paradox here is that the world's most open society is among the worst informed on the inevitable impact of global changes. A tidal wave of change is already on its way to American shores." That was written years ago. So it's in American interests to develop global institutions that will manage both American interests and the rest of the interests of the world.

Do you want to see America intervene in conflicts in Asia?

Given its global interests, the United States already is involved. The question is how you manage the involvement. By the way, United States policy in East Asia has been remarkably successful. One of the paradoxes I cite is the best way to manage change is to preserve the status quo. It surprises everybody to hear me say that the most important thing we need to do in East Asia is preserve the U.S. presence. It is extremely stabilizing.

Your other very controversial point is about the free press. I assume that you're not saying that you don't believe in a free press.

No, I do.

You're saying it's not one of those quick fixes for a fledgling democracy.

Not only that. I believe that in the Middle Ages you had sacred cows -- you couldn't say anything nasty about the pope. Unfortunately, the free press has become the popes of the world today. They're above criticism. You can't criticize them. You can't suggest that the Washington Post or the New York Times makes mistakes.

Western journalists behave a certain way when they arrive in the Third World. They come there thinking that they're poor, underpaid journalists, but they ride on the back of Western power. And they demand to see the prime minister right away.

And non-Western journalists don't behave the same way?

If someone comes to Washington, D.C., and says, "I represent the Times of India and I demand to see the president," can you imagine what would happen to him? It's not a level playing field. If you want to talk about a free press, create a level playing field.

That might say something about the strength of the free press in our country. These reporters feel that they have a great responsibility to their country and to the world.

Of course, the free press is one of the reasons why liberal democratic societies are doing very well, and indeed they are an essential component of the success of Western society. Let me emphasize that. If you try to control information, then you're finished. All I'm saying is that these guys are not popes or priests and they're human beings like all of us, and should be expected to be treated like that.

But I do realize that I got in lots of trouble with those comments.

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