Zakaria reflections

In his post, Zakaria reflects on the impact of the emergence of developing nations on the modern United States. The country will not lose its importance as a superpower, according to the author, but the emergence of other nations, such as the BRIC economies, means that America will no longer be in a position to wield extreme control compared to the developing powers. The United States' exceptional influence on the world has shifted and is no longer present. For 25 years after the demise of the Soviet Union and communism, America dominated the world, with no suitable political or economic adversaries, but the world has steadily shifted. For instance, 27 years ago, China accounted for 1.74% of the world’s GDP; and by 2011, it had reached 8.02%. In addition, by 2025, the nation’s military capacity is likely to exceed that of the U.S.

Other emerging economies in every continent are also attaining political stability as well as economic growth and becoming active on a global scale. The days of relying on America for economic bailouts are slowly fading and nations are becoming self-sufficient. In this essay, the researcher shall analyze the challenges facing America from Zakaria’s perspective. An argument about how and why average Americans need to be more cosmopolitan and have a more outward orientation, in order for the nation to counter the challenges shall follow.

Challenges Facing America

The New World Order that is Slowly Fading

Zakaria indicates that “when George H. W. Bush spoke of “a new world order,” he meant simply that the old Western one would be extended worldwide” (n.p). It came at a time when even some powerful nations such as Japan and China were economically sound. However, these countries were relying on the America’s military for protection especially after their post-war experience and the increasing risk from the Soviet Union. Nevertheless, the rising economies do not need to rely on any nation to rise. Thus, Zakaria opines that though the economies are using the Western order, they are employing it in their own terms; hence, restructuring the entire system. Countries can choose to bypass the narrative and come with their own ties since most are interested in themselves. The author calls it the shift from anti-Americanism to post-Americanism (Zakaria n.p).

The Challenge of Nationalism

The rise of nationalism among the emerging economies, particularly the largest and successful ones is a challenge for America. For instance, China has registered extra ordinary growth in the last six decades and for that reason, they take pride and confidence in themselves. The rise in economic fortunes in the once poor and unstable states creates the desire for recognition and respect around the world. This creates a problem for the Americans since the nation is used to involving itself in foreign countries in the name of trying to help, which they call patriotism, but they have difficulties accepting it when other countries take pride in theirs. Most non-Western countries are frustrated with having to align themselves with the Western chronicle of the global history. However, with the rise of the Internet and better news networks, several nations are disconnecting from the narrative and countering them with a distinct world perspective (Zakaria n.p).

Emerging Economies are becoming More Assertive

Due to the rise in their economies, emerging nations know what they need and they are past the period of doing things using the old model. According to Zakaria, formerly, America and other Western countries made the decisions while other Third World nations fell in line or pushed on the fence and remained inconsequential as a result. However, over the years, this has changed and these countries are more aggressive when negotiating deals. For instance, nations like Brazil and India are tough on negotiating better deals and usually get their choices (Zakaria n.p).

Loss of Legitimacy

With the increasing diffusion and diversification of power, legitimacy becomes more imperative since America can use it to appeal to the presently extensive global players. According to Zakaria, currently the days of American hypocrisy are long gone. Every solution made by the state, no matter how practical it may be, is scrutinized for legitimacy. If it is seen as being a product of the nation’s power and preferences, then it is rendered illegitimate and cannot be imposed despite America’s position as a superpower. For instance, the conflict going on in Darfur requires military intervention. However, if America tries to invade the Muslim country without consulting other nations, then there will resistance against the United States Imperialism.

The Fall of America’s Share in the Global Economy

For decades, despite the wars and depressions, the United States economy has been steady. The nation has contributed between 20% and 30% of the global output for the last thirteen decades. Nevertheless, with the rise of the rest, this percentage will gradually reduce in the next few decades due to fierce competition from the emerging players. America’s unipolarity has slowly ended. Presently, the EU is the largest trading bloc and with the rise of other nations such as the BRIC, trade is gradually becoming multipolar (Zakaria n.p).

Solution: Americans should be More Cosmopolitan and have a More Outward Orientation

America is facing an international challenge, one that it will only confront by adopting a different world order. Although the nation remains a powerful global player, the balance is gradually shifting (Zakaria n.p). America is facing the problem of the politics of indifference, which is solely based on internal issues and does not consider a more international perspective. However, Zakaria indicates that some Americans have become conscious of the rise of other nations and the shift of the U.S.’s position globally. For instance, the nation’s multinationals are shifting to the emerging nations in a bid to enhance profitability. In addition, more and more American students are traveling abroad to study and interact with foreign students. They are certain that the latest innovations in technology, arts, and finance might emanate from England, China, South Korea, or India (n.p).

Nevertheless, most Americans have not adopted this form of outward orientation. The country is highly insulated and issues are focused largely internally. A large number of average Americans are not aware of the changing world order and for that reason, most speak few languages, have petite knowledge about foreign cultures, and are not ready to adopt new forms of operation because they perceive their way to the best and highly advanced (Zakaria n.p). Based on the factors mentioned, Zakaria asserts that the gap between America’s business executives as well as the cosmopolitan citizens and the average American citizens is increasing (n.p). The conservative move to maintain national identity is an enemy of the more reasonable cosmopolitan approach (Nussbaum n.p).

Cosmopolitanism shuns self-definition depicted by most average Americans and focuses on what is morally good for all human beings. It defines a person or a society as more universal and outward oriented and not by their local origins; thus, people are regarded as fellow citizens and neighbors. When average Americans adopt cosmopolitanism, they will move from the comforts and sentiments of patriotism and national identity, to global citizens. They will begin to see the world from a different point of view and will strive to do good and just (Nussbaum n.p). It means that the American society will not regard itself as the most advanced and superior, but will learn to benchmark itself with other nations in order to retain its competitive position and political future (Zakaria n.p).

President Obama’s administration was able to preserve and enhance the United States influence in the world because the president himself was cosmopolitan and more outward oriented. Barrack Obama recognized the challenges facing America and the respective sources; so, he became a friend of the emerging nations and appreciated their rise and economic growth. In 2011, he replaced the Western group with the G20, the primary policymaking unit for economic affairs around the world. Obama emphasized on the formulation of alliances and multilateral groups to enhance trade and the U.S. legitimacy on an international scale (Cooper 77). For instance, during his term, the cooperation between China and Russia brought tougher sanctions on Iran (Schweller 79). In 2011, the Arab league requested Western intervention into Libya crisis and the move was uncontroversial (Henriksen & Ann Karin 186).

Conclusion

The challenges the United States is facing are immense and its conservative state is further fueling the problem. The emerging nations are gradually rising and attaining political stability. Although the U.S. will maintain its superpower status, it will not be able to enforce its power since the rise of nations such as China increasingly diffuse and diversify the power. Therefore, American citizens should adopt a cosmopolitan and outward orientation, which removes the comforts and sentiments of patriotism and national identity, and replaces them with global citizenship. They will learn to appreciate foreign cultures for them to solve effectively the challenges facing the state.

Works Cited

Henriksen, Dag, and Ann Karin Larssen, eds. Political Rationale and International Consequences of the War in Libya. Oxford University Press, 2016.

Nussbaum, Martha C. “Philosophy and Religion: Patriotism and Cosmopolitanism.” Boston Review, 1994. http://bostonreview.net/martha-nussbaum-patriotism-and-cosmopolitanism. Accessed on December 6, 2017.

Schweller, Randall L. Maxwell's demon and the golden apple: global discord in the new millennium. JHU Press, 2014.

Zakaria, Fareed. The Post-American World: Release 2.0. New York: W.W. Norton, 2012, pp. 1-12.