I will preface this post with a disclaimer. I do not wish for the destruction of the US. While I am thoroughly disgusted by so many of the actions and policies of its government as well as so many of the materialistic ways of its consumerist society, my disgust is similarly directed to so many of our own Muslim nations, who are equally misrepresented and equally decadent.
My sincere wish is for a shift in the balance of global power; a shift where power is spread amongst a handful of powerful nations, as opposed to concentrated in the hands of a single superpower which sadly has displayed utter recklessness and mismanagement of that weighty responsibility.
That being said, I wanted to bring your attention to three articles that are ominously pointing to a humbling of the US:
I was really fascinated by this LA Times piece highlighting the reverse trend in global economics where Chinese businesses are actually finding it cheaper to run their operations in the US.
Talk about trading places.
"Liu Keli couldn't tell you much about South Carolina, not even where it is in the United States. It's as obscure to him as his home region, Shanxi province, is to most Americans.
But Liu is investing $10 million in the Palmetto State, building a printing-plate factory that will open this fall and hire 120 workers. His main aim is to tap the large American market, but when his finance staff penciled out the costs, he was stunned to learn how they compared with those in China.
Liu spent about $500,000 for seven acres in Spartanburg -- less than one-fourth what it would cost to buy the same amount of land in Dongguan, a city in southeast China where he runs three plants. U.S. electricity rates are about 75% lower, and in South Carolina, Liu doesn't have to put up with frequent blackouts."
(h/t Neatorama)
And here is an article from CommonDreams discussing the impending demise of America's superpower status (incidentally coinciding with Russia's rise) due primarily to its oil addiction.
"...the U.S. Department of Defense is the world’s single biggest consumer of petroleum, using more of it every day than the entire nation of Sweden...the United States is importing 12-14 million barrels of oil per day. At a current price of about $115 per barrel, that’s $1.5 billion per day, or $548 billion per year."
And finally, there's the ailing US dollar. This article from the Telegraph states the obvious that the biggest players in determining the fate of the dollar are not Americans, but the Chinese and the Gulf countries.
Geopolitically speaking, its very disconcerting that China has such a large role in financing America's debt (nearly one trillion dollars in US bonds). There was even talk last year of China possibly exercising this 'nuclear option' by selling off its US dollar assets. Of course that would spell economic suicide to China, but they have far less to lose than America.
If the US were ever to suffer a demise, I would prefer it to go the way of Britain, where it was able to retain a dignified standing in the world, as opposed to an outright devastation followed by years of reconstruction – as was the path forced upon the likes of Japan, Germany, and Russia.
Just saying...
(BTW, Sorry I haven't replied to any comments...travelling and will be back in a few days. I appreciate everyone's thoughts)
WAW
5 days ago
5 comments:
Very interesting post. All powers go through the cycle of rise and fall. Same was true for Muslims, same will be true for America (Allah knows best)
Incidentally, I was thinking this morning how America, with all its fitnah is still a stabilizing force in many ways. If America falls:
- Most likely there will be war in the middle east with multiple players.
- China may attack Taiwan
- North Korea could attack their southern neighbors
- India-Pakistan may go to war over Kashmir
All the above scenarios can be very devastating.
That said, America is still responsible for a lot of the misery and tyranny in the world today.
Salaam brother, now you KNOW I'm gonna come over here for this.
Firstly, you are right in suggesting the need for a balance of power, in fact since you wrote this piece I might very well pencil you in as a McCain Ace! This is exactly the foreign policy point he is making to our European democratic brothers. Too bad McCain sees very little use for democratic countries outside Europe. I had to rib you a little bit.
As for knocking consumerism in the United States I'd be really careful with that because rulers and elites in some lesser-developed nations actually benefit on a mammoth level, and more pointedly absolutely nothing is made in America anyway. That is not to say that America DOES believe in free-trade; it's more like one way trade with America on top. However, other countries, including a handfull in Europe spend like crazy too. Consumerism to date is part and parcel of liberal democratic societies. The question then becomes, can any country usher in democratic values without consumerism? Yes and no, too lengthy to place here.
Moving along, having said we need a balance of power, let me state that we do not need those who rise to power to do so in the same manner that America has. And this is a problem when one considers China. As an International Affairs analyst and a teacher I can tell you China is profiting off the poor outside and inside of the US. I can also tell you this, considering the fact that my license plate says "South Carolina" on it (yup used to live there and still pay taxes there) Spartanburg, SC is most definitely a thirld-world town inside the US. It is one big ghetto, comprised of por Blacks and poor Whites, with many living on government and assistance and running to the local payday loan spot every week. There is also a burgeoning population of Hispanic immigrants who think they've made it big there and I agree.
But what am I really saying in this? I don't think ideally, we'd want to see any growing superpower become a superpower off the backs of poor people, and unfortunately the only best and worst model is the US.
AA- Charles,
Thank you for your thoughts. Quick question:
"unfortunately the only best and worst model is the US."
Why do you say this?
Bro. Naeem, there are numerous reasons for making that observation though one could contend that there are other countries more aptly placed.
The first reason for saying "unfortunately the best and worst model is the US" is because no country has a larger foe than the US nor a 'friendlier' friend in other circles. The policies, not just foreign policies, of the US provide glaring examples of how best and worst, to treat nationals and global citizens. Take for instance, the response to Hurricane Katrina and the level of clemency provided to the Army Corps of Engineers. We in the US are well aware of how the former and now displaced citizens of New Orleans felt about the government's inadequate assesment of, and lack of response to the event. And this came at a time when the US government was procuring more funds from other countries, including China, to wage wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Global citizens of course wondered why a country such as the US couldn't help it's own people while it could send millions in dollars and manpower in a week's time, to Tsunami victims a world away. Policy issues were further unearthed just a few weeks later when a hurricane threatened to strike Florida hard and the US government did everything in it's power, and it did quite an outstanding job, to make sure Jeb Bush's state did not look like New Orleans. Florida is a state of immigrants, largely hispanic and Castro detractors and also boasts countless numbers of rich, White retirees, many of whom are Italian or Jewish. New Orleans boasted what? Poor Blacks. So, on one hand, people saw the US's ability to use finances and power to protect from natural disasters for minorities abroad and the status-quo at home, and on the other witnessed how crude she could be to the less fortunate in her backyard.
Now, using the example above, we have virtually no country in the world that responds any differently than the US des with regard to those who have power and the powerless. Sixty years ago, America's economy took off and became the ideal for all other admirers. Liberal Democratic Capitalism didn't really show it's worth until after WW2. However, after other countries pinned their hopes on a similar form of mercantalism and moving in that direction, they are now hit with the flip side of what capitalism can do to societies they have America to thank. America doesn't have the gold to back currency anymore but no other country has substantial amounts to pad their economies either.
Going back to the monetary reward of WW2 for a moment let me add; part of what is not said about the Westphalian system is that those European territories that signed the pact for peace did so with the implicit understanding that they were unifying to protect their ultimate interests which involved making money, primarily through conquest and war. These countries still do not have in place solid plans to generate healthy economies without imperialist trade. The only difference is that now in 2008, the European countries are not alone in exploiting the less fortunate for valuable resources.
It is fatalistic to say that powerful countries are slyly baiting others down into a deep hole that not even the powerful can stay out of but it can be argued.
The other issue in international relations is that countries opposed to doing things the status-quo way or only opposed for that sake and are not really committed to creating a better system of governance, both at home or abroad. Three come to mind in a flash; France, China, and even Israel.
I could go further but I don't think you were asking me to.
Basically, if other countries move away from polemics, they could learn how to, and how not to do things from the US but very few are conscious right now.
The other thing to add as a prime example of how even opposing foes of the US take cues from the US is this:
When Katrina hit both Castro and Chaves offered to send medical staff and money to the disaster area. The US refused. Earlier, in fact, over twenty years ago, Castro offered full-ride scholarships to African-American students who could get accepted to medical school either in the US or in Cuba but the US made it illegal for them to accept such an offer while at the same time complaining about the lack of minority doctors in the 'hood. China has done the same thing to it's citizens modeling US behavior and we just witnessed Myanmar do it as well with denying aid even when they have more to gain than to lose because no one can create a clear break from following US policies. No one. I'm not boasting brother; this is sad.
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