The Rise Of The Rest

An excellent article from Newsweek's Fareed Zakaria, and a better response to his article from National Review's Jim Manzi.

From Newsweek:

It's true China is booming, Russia is growing more assertive, terrorism is a threat. But if America is losing the ability to dictate to this new world, it has not lost the ability to lead.

Americans are glum at the moment. No, I mean really glum. In April, a new poll revealed that 81 percent of the American people believe that the country is on the "wrong track." In the 25 years that pollsters have asked this question, last month's response was by far the most negative. Other polls, asking similar questions, found levels of gloom that were even more alarming, often at 30- and 40-year highs. There are reasons to be pessimistic—a financial panic and looming recession, a seemingly endless war in Iraq, and the ongoing threat of terrorism. But the facts on the ground—unemployment numbers, foreclosure rates, deaths from terror attacks—are simply not dire enough to explain the present atmosphere of malaise.

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From National Review:

Ross Douthat has pretty negative take on Fareed Zakaria's argument that “The world has shifted from anti-Americanism to post-Americanism.” I agree, and think it’s important to amplify why.

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My Comment: Because of America's predominant position in the world since the Second World War, many conflicts that could have gone totally out of control were either suppressed and/or stopped by American power and/or influence. With the rise of other superpowers, India and China being two of them, this military equation and strategic position is changing. Will we have more wars? I do not know the answer to that right now. But China is turning a blind eye to dictatorships and repressive governments around the world. This is not a good omen because it is usually these type of governments that ferment wars and conflicts.