(I feared for a while that Fareed Zakaria was going to fall into the conventional-wisdom punditry of which we already have way too much, but he's turned out to be one of the sharper minds in today's foreign policy realm. - promoted by Joe Bodell)
I passed by, hesitated, and plucked Fareed Zakaria's "The Post American World" off the shelf. I had to investigate.
Instead of predicting our American demise it invited me to accept a new concept. Zakaria supposes we'll share the global arena's top spot rather than continue on as the only superpower.
I agree. Our global, economic crisis will most likely result in the rise of one or two new superpowers. We can graciously accept new, shared world leadership and look for global solution or spread fear and talk about world catastrophe.
One thing is certain. It would be detrimental to turn into ourselves. Isolationism, combined with nationalism, has caused many wars. We could also go on the offensive and use weaponry to ensure our superiority, but we aren't the only ones who have nuclear capability and there is no winner in a nuclear war.
Instead of fearing foreigners and finger pointing, let's search for a new global fit which benefits us the most.
We might embrace change by showing respect where it is due. Let's focus our attention on the world's number two country, China and prepare ourselves for a new, stronger friend.
More on China:
Although China is officially a one-party, Communistic state, it has incorporated a mix of economic policy for some time. China was our ally in WWI and WWII. It is one of the few countries still experiencing robust growth, and it most likely will look to expand its interests.
"Just how peacefully China can rise will be determined by a combination of Chinese actions, other countries' reactions, and the systemic effects that this interaction produces." (Zakaria, pg 115)
Economic factor:
In the 1990's labor became mobile. Jobs now move to people (outsourcing) and the expansion of communications means the world is deeply connected. How can we use this to our best advantage?
Less violence, world situation:
"It feels like a dangerous world. But it isn't. Your chances of dying as a consequence of organized violence of any kind are lower and getting lower." (Zakaria, pg 9).
Statistically, the world is a safer place. We might ask ourselves: As we go forward, how do we best maintain a peaceful world?
Pandemic worry:
Swine flu has many viewing others with suspicion and hatred. People are pointing fingers even more.
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