The US has always been a force to reckon with, spreading the fruits of democracy from coast to coast. They have risked men and materials in foreign lands, spilt blood and sweat all over the world. The United States has been a modern day empire, the sole force and sometimes only voice of good in a world riddled with “evil”.
The journey to transform the world, based on the universal concept of democracy and freedom for all humans is a goal America has championed and no one can ignore. Like all things good, America as a superpower has an expiration date and it just round the corner.
Walking down the streets of Sarasota, Florida the effects of the global down turn can be clearly seen in the empty streets and restaurants that once bubbled with eager shoppers. The people though not unhappy look uninspired. Their faces tell the tale that they have seen the best days of their lives pass them by. The financial sector collapse dealt America a big blow and with unemployment stubbornly at 9.6% and the best of forecasters projecting the figure not to go below 8% by 2012, America is sure in trouble.
The economic downturn though the precipitating factor for the decline of Americas global influence is not the major factor for the decline.
China has experienced an outstanding level of growth with first quarter 2010 growth rates of 11.9% only slowing down to 9.6% in the third quarter. The Peoples Republic has achieved this by basically exporting its way out of recession into unprecedented economic growth. They have done this by systematically devaluing their currency while keeping expectations of their populace relatively low thus stagnating the cost of labour, while making their exports ridiculously cheap. Massive expenditure on infrastructure which was catalysed by the bid and subsequent hosting of the Olympic games in Beijing, provided a steady flow of “shovel ready jobs”, while the new infrastructure and traditional allure set China as an emerging tourist destination.
In America the economic downturn was followed by the passage of the stimulus package which was touted to create shovel ready jobs but only ended up stimulating the consumption appetite for Chinese made goods without clearly generating the badly needed jobs. The one trillion spent only ended expending the deficit to GDP ratio to unsustainable high levels.
The level of the deficit has brought out the worst in the American spirit while creating road blocks for its correction. The American society has become highly charged and polarized. The centre no longer exists and unfortunately this is where the solution lies. The proposals put up by the deficit commission to solve the deficit problem, though the gospel truth, will never see the light of day. The American spirit described by David Brooks as “ a nation of bourgeois families who want to thrive within a secure social order”, will not allow expected cuts to be made as being experienced all over Europe.
The slow disintegration of the traditional one American voice is gradually filtering around the world and the concept that America cannot solve its problems is palpable in every major city of the world. The truth must be told; America is broke, its military is over stretched, its economy is in the tank, it has lost its technology edge, the country is divided and China is on the fast lane of economic growth.
No one likes to be friends with losers especially one that won’t admit it’s a loser. Everyone wants to be friends with success and China is the world best friend. They have a strong economy, relatively sensible spending on defence, large investment in cutting edge technology, don’t poke their nose where they don’t belong and enough in foreign reserves to buy the heart of America and the rest of the world.
The combined force of unprecedented economic growth in China and American economic decline has made America to hit the self-destruct button of social division and polarization. Not even a rock star President like Obama can bring back the American shine as seen by his recent trip to Asia where he couldn’t even sign a trade deal with South Korea ( America’s most trusted ally in Asia). Donald Trump lamenting the lack of respect for America on Fox News said, “nobody respects us any more”, I say who will when you have made all the wrong choices and put pride before purpose. Even Obama said, “they (the far right) talk about me like a dog”, and I say don’t be expected to be treated differently outside.
America as an empire has expired, but it must not fail to put back the smile on the faces on millions of Americans who currently are out of their jobs, experiencing falling standards of education, have no access to health care and wait for daily food handouts on lines that get longer every day. A failure as a superpower should not mean a failure as a home power. The centre must be restored, pride put aside and common sense approach to put the economy back should be adopted.
