Key Messages
Exploring The History Of Superpowers: How A Lack Of Us Intervention Might Impact Global Stability
What will the future of world politics look like without US interventions? It’s a question worth asking, especially considering that the US is planning to decrease their commitments and pull back from their current massive presence.
Even with the rise of their shale oil industry, which no longer requires them to rely on imported fuel, many are concerned about how it may affect global stability.
By looking into the origins of superpowers throughout history, such as Egypt and the United States, we can begin to form an idea of what lies ahead without US intervention.
We also begin to understand why some have pessimistic predictions when they explore this topic.
This could include increased travel obstacles in coming decades or even hint at a new European war being a possibility.
It’s important for us to look critically at these possibilities so that we can better prepare for the future of world politics if the US does indeed take a step back from its current level of involvement.
The Ancient Egyptians Built An Empire That Lasted Hundreds Of Years Through Strategic Geography And Geopolitics
It’s clear that the success of an empire depends in large part on their geographic and geopolitical position.
Ancient empires such as Egypt, Ottoman or Rome all had this luxury – natural resources closeby to cut down on transportation costs, deserts that served as both a unifying factor and a barrier from external forces, and advantageous geopolitical positions.
These geographical advantages made it possible for them to concentrate more effort into expanding their cultural life and military power.
For example, abundant food and water sources allowed these ancient empires to thrive economically by allowing them to partake in trade with other communities.
These factors were essential in developing enormous monuments showcasing their pharaohs’ greatness.
Additionally, empires gained power because they rarely faced any competition.
This is because crossing the desert or sea was too risky for most enemy nations.
Even today, countries capitalize on the same principles; given their favorable climate for example, the mighty US has prospered ever since its founding days – all thanks to the benefit of having desirable geographic and geopolitical positioning!
The United States: A Geopolitical Powerhouse Thanks To Careful Planning And Exceptionally Favorable Geography
The United States is currently one of the most powerful nations in the world, and its geopolitical situation has been a key factor in achieving this status.
For hundreds of years, US borders have been largely safe from outside populations, while Europe was home to centuries-long wars across the Atlantic.
This lack of threat gave the US time to become more organized and stable.
But arguably even more important than its political stability is America’s vast waterway network.
Encompassing 12 rivers, including the globally-renowned Mississippi – which is the longest navigable river – it makes for an excellent trade route.
These pathways created easy access to more goods and crops, providing large financial gains for those involved in trading.
The result? A wealthy nation with not only the capability to develop a strong military power but also the means to defend itself against outside threats, like when Alaska was acquired in 1867 or 1898’s annexation of Hawaii islands.
Further securing their stance on the global stage was then WWII followed by NATO; this allowed countries like Faroes and Cyprus to step up as launching pads for American troops into Europe.
Nowadays there is no nation possessing enough manpower and naval influence potent enough to compete or contest against what the United States stands for on a global scale.
Thanks to its geographical position (aided by wise early decisions), they are now positioned in an unassailable security zone.
The Impact Of The Bretton Woods Agreement: How Us Global Influence Redefined International Trade
The United States has long enjoyed global supremacy thanks to the Bretton Woods Agreement, a policy enacted in 1944.
This agreement was instrumental in providing stability for international trade and linking currencies to gold, as well as granting American naval vessels rights of free navigation on trade routes worldwide.
These effects have been far-reaching and have allowed the US to project its influence all over the world.
However, with the US now turning away from global trade and becoming less interested in protecting the trade routes of other countries, it is strongly considering abolishing the Bretton Woods Agreement.
The results would be severe – many countries rearranged their economic systems around this agreement and its safe pathways for imports/exports; if it evaporates so could much of these nations’ economies.
Furthermore, the US would reassume its role as a superpower acting almost independently from other countries – causing disruption equaled by its role in stabilizing things during World War Two.
The Unforeseen Consequences Of Humans Living Longer: An Aging Population And Economic Struggles Ahead
As people continue to live longer and better, thanks to higher nutrition and superior medical care, the global demographics are changing drastically.
This has led to a situation where governments now have a large number of citizens of an older age group that they need to take care of.
In places like Japan, one-third of the population is already over 60 years old, with most having few children after a certain age; hence it won’t be easy for this trend to reverse itself.
These demographic changes will cause powerful economies to destabilize due to fewer workers in the labor force who can actually contribute enough to generate wealth and capital for their country.
The next generations – Generation X and other following generations – have proven to be relatively smaller than the Baby Boomer generation and won’t be able to make up for the dissolved capital from the previous generations’ contribution.
Furthermore, 30 giant economies from around the world such as China, The United Kingdom, Germany and Norway will reach its peak consumer market growth within the next decade due leading deplete resources needed for further technology research; hence hampering economic development.
All these changes are likely to result in slower economic growth along with lowering standards of living in affected countries due unprecedented instability caused by demographic shifts
As Europe Changes, The Threat Of War Could Return
The Accidental Superpower paints a troubling picture of Europe’s future.
With the demographic shifts, world-wide financial crises and the United Kingdom looking ready to separate from the EU alliance entirely, Europe will not remain the same.
Its economic productivity is set to decrease due to these drastic changes, with Germany becoming a top player in the region once again.
This could mean that an old feud between France and Germany could be reignited and another war could break out between them if the EU collapses and disorder plagues Europe.
It’s unclear what would happen to Europe should this scenario come true, but it’s safe to say that it won’t be the peaceful place we know it as today.
Instead, this could spell danger for many of its regions and citizens as tensions mount – all leading to a potential war that would be destructive for everyone involved.
The Us Will Remain Stable And Profitable Even In The Face Of Global Instability
As Europe and Japan face increasing problems, and the potential for war in Europe looms, the United States is sure to remain strong.
This is because the US has a strong domestic market that doesn’t rely heavily on resources from other countries.
As demographic changes occur in many Western countries, the US is well placed to benefit from immigration and internal growth – something that will help sustain domestic markets.
The navy being able to protect US trade routes puts them in an enviable position too.
Additionally, if (when) the Bretton Woods system falls apart, America won’t need to spend as much on military power.
Other nations will see value in opting for an alliance with America instead of against it – be that due to new opportunities for influence or taking advantage of reliable labor forces such as those found in Southeast Asia.
Moreover, if Iran takes control of its neighbors’ oil supply lines after Bretton Woods fall apart, America could form a powerful and economically beneficial alliance with Iran.
All this means one thing: At a time when other nations are falling apart, The United States will continue to thrive and forge new alliances in order to stay competitive and secure their success on the world stage.
The Dark Consequences Of Western Travel Without Bretton Woods And The Eu
When the EU and US withdraw their overseas power, it will have major repercussions for global migration.
Trade agreements and the European Union make intercontinental travel easier these days but when they are taken away, migration will become far more difficult, expensive and dangerous.
Visa requirements will become tighter as countries strive to protect their citizens by screening travellers in a much more rigorous manner.
Movement also becomes an expensive proposition as naval safety has to be provided at greater cost without the United States being able to guard the naval lanes – thus only those with greater resources or skills will be able to afford international travel.
In addition, certain destinations like the US will make travelling there even more attractive, leading to a brain drain from other less desirable locations such as Syria and Greece.
Furthermore, terrorism is likely to see an upsurge in countries like Pakistan where the US withdrawal of support may weaken local states further making it hard to control militant groups such as Al Qaeda.
Ultimately, the weakening of both the EU and US overseas power will cause huge transformation regarding migration that could ultimately fuel terrorism across various parts of the world.
Wrap Up
The Accidental Superpower is a thought-provoking book that offers a unique insight into the geopolitical future of the United States.
In the book, author Peter Zeihan highlights how demographic and political shifts are going to weaken industrialized areas like Europe and Japan, while the US will continue to be a world superpower thanks largely to its geographic position.
He also emphasizes that although global trade will decline due to US withdrawal from global protectionism, migration will decrease and instability will increase, forcing the US to seek out new allies in order to remain a preeminent power in the world.
With this in mind, readers can gain an understanding of how globalization and geopolitics refer interact with one another as well as stand side by side when it comes to determining power dynamics on a global scale.
