What's going on is NOT simply a "the US is declining" situation - it's MUCH more profound & complicated than that. We are entering a period where the rest of the world is finally catching up to the "White Man" (ie Europe & the US - who between them have dominated the world for roughly 4 centuries). The 19th century was Britain's Century, the 20th was America's Century, and the 21st will be "China's Century" - or perhaps more technically "the Century of the Third World Countries". This is a PROFOUND change - one as far-reaching and important as the Industrial Revolution. We are truly on the verge of a new age.
WWII (actually the combination of WWI & WWII) marked the transition of dominance from Europe to America. This was it's most important short-term political result. In the longer run however there was another equally important result - and that was the breakup of the old European Colonial Empires. Prior to WWII, outside of Europe & the America's there were very few independent nations - virtually everything (aside from a handful of states) was under either European or US control. In Africa only Ethiopia was independent (until Italy took it) of the White Man's rule. In Asia only Japan, China (kind of anyway) & Siam (Thailand). Nearly everything ourside the America's & Europe was either a "White" country or controlled by a "White" country. After the war all that changed and suddenly the Third World colonies were now Third World nations and were on their own.
Needless to say, they countries generally did very poorly at first, but the last couple of decades has seen some tremendous improvement in the lot of many of these places (many of them previously dirt poor basket case nations). China, India, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea are all nations on the fast track to modernity and economic prosperity (some are already there). Behind them other nations are also making huge improvements to the general standards of living - places like Vietnam, most of the Middle East nations, etc, etc, etc. One by one - led by the nose by advances in technology such as the internet cell phones & worldwide cable news networks - and with their economic pumps primed by US & European firms increasing outsourcingwork to them - these nations are all one by one copying their "Western" neighbors in adopting democracy & embracing the "Western" way of life - including dress, popular music, the automobile (ie mobile) lifestyle, etc, etc, etc. In other words becomeing "Westernized".
The USA is not so much "declining" as the rest of the world is "catching up". Yes, this DOES lead to some decline in US standards of living & certainly in it's position regards to relative balance of power - but overall this is a good & fair thing happening that will result in great benefit overall. Some of that benefit to the rest of the world IS at a cost to US since we've enjoyed a very advantageous position for many decades now and that advantageous position is now eroding - but overall the whole world will be a better place when the transition is done. Any Revolution - such as the Industrial Revolution (and THIS one) brings pain & dislocation but that can't be helped.
Something I wrote back in September of 2001 (right after 9-11). Take a look & see what you think:
Personal thoughts on the WTC, Alien Civilizations and the coming Brave New World - General Itineraries - The United States - Epinions.com
Ken
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