This week’s discussion board looks at the emerging (or already existing) world in which the USA is not the hegemonic power policing the globe. When I was in Pakistan for most of the month of November, I saw the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) (Links to an external site.) in action. Part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (Links to an external site.), the CPEC is an ambitious project with a many decades-long (rather than next-election-cycle) vision of influence in the world. There were roads and hydro-power dams built by the Chinese, but also 25,000 Pakistani students in China. They are beating us at the diplomacy game.
In some of the readings, there is a tension between what was and what is emerging. I would argue that we are seeing – not only in the US but in many nations – the fearful reactions to this change in the form of rising nationalism and critiques of globalism. While some of this fear is based on mis-perceptions, there is a real shifting of power away from the Old World Order that was so familiar and comfortable to the Great Generation in America.
Please answer the following questions in your initial post:
1. What are three ways that the Trump Administration’s approach to international relations is shaping a New World Order? Do you think these are positive or negative developments for Americans? Do you think these are positive or negative developments for people in other countries? CITE SOURCES
2. You could frame the current US Foreign Policy (discussed in last week’s material) as Realism. Do you think this is the best approach? Why or why not? CITE SOURCES
3. If you could construct your preferred future, how would you envision American’s role in the world? CITE SOURCES WHERE APPROPRIATE