The demolition of the Berlin Wall in November 1991 and the subsequent fall of the Iron Curtain marked a pivotal event in world political history that cemented the USA hegemonic status across the globe. The period of bipolarity that dominated world politics throughout the years 1945-1989 had been brought to a close.
Today, the USA is believed to be the most powerful nation state in the world financially, politically and culturally. In 2019, it's economy in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) was a whopping $21.44 trillion. Considering the GDP of the European Union was $18.8 trillion a year earlier which consists of global economic powers such as Germany, France and the United Kingdom, this is testament of Americas global economic dominance.
It is also by far the worlds mightiest military power, in 2012, it spent more than 4% of its GDP - more than half of global military expenditure - on its armed forces. The US army has significant capabilities in both power projection and defence, resulting in powerful and advanced technologies which enables a widespread deployment of force around the world, including 800 military bases outside the USA.
America has an immense population at 328.2 million as of 2019, that is highly educated with 81% of the population living in urban areas - clear indicators of a developed economy. It is undeniable that the US, wields unparalleled political power in global politics, America can exert its power as Chief Architect of international political and economic institutions, such as the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund.
What is most striking about Americas global power is its cultural influence internationally - known as 'Americanization'. A prominent example of Americas cultural influence is its film and television industries, most notably Hollywood, which since the 1920s has dominated the vast majority of the worlds media markets.
However, while the 20th century is deemed to have been 'America's Century', many political scientists predict that China is will challenge and perhaps overtake the preeminence of the USA. Since the market reforms of Deng Xiaoping in 1978, China has experienced a period of remarkable economic growth, with annual growth rates of between 8-10 per cent for almost 30 years, doubling the levels of western democracies. China also has the worlds largest population in the world at 1.3 billion as of 2018, over one-sixth of the worlds population, giving it an immense domestic market.
China will unequivocally, soon posses the most developed economy in the world. Moreover, countries such as Australia, Latin America and parts of the middle east are recognizably welcoming welcoming Chinese investment due to an apparent shared dislike of Americanization both politically and culturally. Something similar to the NATO vs Warsaw Pact pact pattern is seemingly forming again today.
Despite China's explicit shortcomings militarily in comparison to the US armed forces, America is notable for suffering its own historical defeats. It could not avert the takeover of Vietnam by the communist Vietcong, it failed to rescue American embassy officials taken hostage in Tehran in 1979, as well as arguably being positioned on the brink of mass destruction during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Furthermore, the US was the victim of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the worst terrorist atrocity in history. More recently the USA was powerless in resolving the Syrian Crisis. Therefore despite the USA clear military superiority, this does not mean that it is invincible.
However, in order for China to exclusively overtake the US as the most powerful country in the world, they must maintain their continued economic growth. Germany, Japan and France all experienced spectacular levels of growth during the mid-late 20th century, however were not able to sustain this in the 21st century. The Chinese economy heavily depends on cheap labour, therefore there is always the risk for other countries with even lower labor rates to undercut Chinese products.
So is the USA still the most powerful country in the world? The short answer is yes, at least for now ... While China remains an authoritarian communist country, its potential to become a world power is limited.
Written by Conleth Gallagher - Instagram @conlethgallagher_
Comentários