Dear Editor,

There are two great superpowers in the international system. One is rising; the other is fading.

The rising superpower is trying to create a world order in which countries collaborate economically, forming strategic partnerships to develop trade corridors and supply chain networks so countries can trade their natural resources, technologies, human capital, and other tangible and intangible goods at agreed prices. The fading superpower is intent on maintaining an old, obsolete world order that gives one country power over the Earth. Currently, the fading superpower is throwing a tantrum across the globe, using its military power, perhaps the only power it has remaining, to bully, intimidate, manipulate, and violate international law and also commit murder.

The battle between the US and China is a battle between the old and the new. China’s collaborative approach is supported by the global youth demographic (Gen Z), while the American approach of aggression, unilateralism, military intervention, and dominance is supported mostly by middle-aged men along with male boomers who are intent on retaining economic and hemispheric power.

Age and, by extension, time are not on the side of these boomers. The youth, though without economic power or military might, do have numbers and time. Ultimately, numbers and time will outlast economic power and military might. The greatest fear of those in power is an organised, united, purposeful, and determined majority who are intent on engineering change. This is how revolutions are initiated.

Currently there is a campaign to make fear ubiquitous. The strategy seems to be to attack a few countries and make an example of them so other countries are kept in line. This, in my opinion, is a bluff and, long-term, will only lead to the isolation of the US. America is trying to dismantle BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) because that bloc is a serious threat to the G7, of which America is the dominant country.

America is trying to control the Western Hemisphere through its imperialist belief as stated in the Monroe Doctrine, recently referred to as the Donroe Doctrine (supposedly to please Donald Trump). Leaders in the Western Hemisphere are being bullied into giving up their resources and complying with American dictates. Failure to comply has resulted in sanctions; citizens being barred from entering the US or asked to pay ridiculous fees to enter the US; and, if all else fails, the Government is declared illegitimate.

The US is still a great country, and will continue to be one of the most important countries in the global system. But it has to accept its fate: It’s no longer the most important country in the world, the world is now a multipolar system. Collaboration is the new superpower.

Competition is good, and countries should want to produce the best goods and services for as many of the world’s population as possible.

Kevin Simmonds

kevinsimmonds1410@gmail.com