Asian giants are emerging

PEOPLE allege that America is destroying peace in the garb of making peace. It wants to continue to be the leader of the world and keep dividing nations by hook or by crook. That is why people say that America's dream is becoming a 'global nightmare?' The West led by America “is using international institutions, military power and economic resources to run the world in ways that will maintain their predominance, protect their interest and promote their economic and political values.”

It is surprising to note how Democrats approve of Republican hawkish agenda that promotes its neo-conservative notion of absolute American supremacy and full dominance. They did not even oppose Bush's policy of 'pre-emptive strike' or 'regime change.'

In consequence, the world had to choose between war affirming rhetoric of the Democrats and war mongering declaration of the neo-conservative Republicans. That is probably why Gore remarked that “America is ruled by one oligarchy with two names, Republicans and Democrats.”

Once the European economy got a push from USA through Marshal Plan after World War II, it constructed a security umbrella christened North Atlantic Alliance Organization (Nato). They could hardly exert influence unless approved by the US as they depended heavily on America for utilising their vast resources.

The West knew about the availability of 'golden liquid' or fossil fuel in the Middle East, which was sure to become the major source of energy as coal was getting dearer. So they pitted most of the oil rich tribal Bedouins in a fratricidal war by running with the hare and hunting with the hound. Thus, they continued to maintain control over the sea lane that linked the oil rich Arab nations with the industrialised West. All attempts by the Arab nations to assert their freedom were subverted either by waging war with help of the power hungry monarchical elites or by toppling the 'detractors' by military coup-de-tat. Iraq, Egypt, Syria are a few examples.

The West led by USA intervened in Iraq and Afghanistan in the defense of justice out there. Alliance partners had to release billions of dollars to foot the war expenditure. Consequently, the American economy is feeling the strain and facing the wrath of the economically disadvantaged nations for their sliding economy.

I think it is the right time for the West to rethink about their conduct 'in defense of freedom overseas.' There are numerous global hotspots where the policy of West led by USA is controversial enough to feed the kind of rage that found vengeful expression at different times. One may ask how does the policy of 'pre-emptive first strike' correspond to the values of democracy, or do they practice what they preach? Are these actions a harbinger of the West's decline?

Not many across the world think these days as did Beldrich Moldan, a Czech minister, who said: “As a European you may like the US or may not like the US but you know it is the future.” From this statement one can assume that the West largely depends on its 'guardian' partner. Is it not ironical for Americans to note that “a strong correlation between US involvement in international situations and an increase in terrorist activities against US,” while Europe sits pretty as it is rarely targeted by “hostile elements.” The West's economic power is sliding, which is eroding their political power. The West is already anxious about the sharp growth of Asian economies and apprehends that there it may soon find its glaze dulling if big Asian countries support each other by utilising their surplus resources for their mutual benefit.

Kishore Mahbubani feels that “for two centuries the Asians from Tehran to Tokyo and from Mumbai to Shanghai, have been bystander's in world history, reacting defencelessly to the surges in Western commerce, thought and power.” That era, he thinks, is over. Asia is returning to the centre stage it occupied for eighteen centuries before the rise of the West. He further says that Asians have absorbed and understood Western best practices in many areas from free market economy to the embracing of innovative science and technology, meritocracy and the rule of law.

I think the west must come to terms with emerging reality by recognising the incremental Asian capability to dash the western desire to maintain its preponderance in world economy and its hold in technological innovations. Asian nations have successfully developed technology to enrich uranium, utilise fossil fuel and also to overcome environmental vagaries. Poor man's economy (micro-credit), disaster management and incredible development in outsourcing microchip expertise and technology are the outstanding sinews of Asian's rise to the current height. Asians must realise that the West will soon lose its prowess and therefore should expressly close ranks with the neighbours for mutual benefit.

The West should rest assured in the analysis of Mahbubani that Asia does not dominate but replicate. He suggests the West should gracefully share power with Asia by giving up automatic domination of global institutions like IMF and World Bank. Let UNSC not be dominated by the declining West through curbing its role as the world's arbiter.

The author is a former Director General of BlISS, Dhaka.