New World Order

When Grobachev tore down the Berlin wall, he took world order down with it. For over half a century the world had existed in a Bi-Polar Era. In the west, the United States and European powers championed the cause of capitalism while Communist Russia ruled the east. Over time the entire globe was divided amongst the great superpowers. When it finally came time for the end of the USSR the West was left in a lopsided world.

                A new era came forth, and as the only remaining superpower America assumed the role of globocop. Without Soviet Russia to occupy the incredible military might of the United States she instead turned her efforts to police the world. While American intentions may have been noble they have consistently accomplished two things, worsened foreign relations and increased national debts. Now with a global war on terror and economic peril steadily approaching, more and more Americans find themselves reminiscing of the cold war.

                And why shouldn’t they? If capitalism has taught us anything it is that the best results come from competition.  The competition that exists between companies drives innovation and expansion. Without an economic rival, complacency and decline become inevitable. International Relations are not much different. Without a clear rival, countries have no sense of unity. They have no driving force to excel but instead are forced to deal with growing domestic strife.

                Take Ancient Rome for example. After the fall of Carthage, Rome began to rapidly expand across the Ancient world. Without any serious competition their expansion was rapid and unstoppable, she experienced a golden age. However this greatness was short lived, as the roman people grew more powerful they no longer had a common goal in mind. Instead they turned to greed. A century of civil war gripped the republic ultimately leading to their demise.

                There is hope on the horizon though. After twenty years of undisputed global dominion the United States has true economic rivals. The Far East is well on their way to becoming an economic giant rivaling American dominance.  The two nations of China and India have both experienced massive growth in the 21^st century and have become major world players. As they age and grow into the new world today, a New World Order may be in its infancy. I can only hope for continued economic growth in the region and even stronger global influence.

                Americans may be distraught over their new rivals in the world but, I may remind them a few things. Firstly America has not always existed as the unrivaled superpower but rather as a competitor, she never lost a world war, she survived the cold war, and became great through competition. America has no need to fear rivalry but rather embrace it. History has taught us time and time again to never bet against Uncle Sam, so why doubt it now?

                More importantly though is this, our world today is filled with anarchy and fear. Without major powers to reign in global fanatics there can be no hope of sustained peace. A strong world order is a path to sustained peace. Without a world of order, we can only be left with a world of terror.