EU negotiators prepare for tough talks on finance for developing countries at the COP29 climate talks that open in Baku, Azerbaijan, next week, #EuropeNews
and while America has benefited strategically, it’s also taken on substantial costs
It was an empire in all but name and was a bit more than just a strategic benefit, but every empire gets too expensive to maintain and must shrink again.
Last start American politicians started to talk about the cost and responsibilities being too much, EU countries started cozying up to China and it freaked the same politicians that were talking “I invite you to get going without us”. Let’s see what happens this time.
You’re absolutely right that many powerful nations have faced this pattern. America’s post-WWII global influence resembles an ‘empire’ in the sense that it shaped world economics and politics, even if it wasn’t a traditional empire. And sure, the U.S. did get more than just ‘strategic benefits’ — having the dollar as the dominant currency, for instance, came with clear economic advantages.
But the other side of this is that America’s involvement hasn’t been purely self-serving; it’s also helped maintain relative global stability. With the U.S. starting to weigh the costs and shift focus inward, it’s natural for EU countries to explore other partnerships, like with China. That’s a smart move to balance their interests.
But whether the U.S. scales back its role or redefines it, it will be interesting to see what that means for global stability. Historically, the power shifts you mentioned don’t always lead to smooth transitions. The big question is how Europe and others will manage in a world where the U.S. might not be playing the same role as it has for the past 70+ years.
Global stability of always good for trade and business. The supply chains disruption with covid shows what a bit of chaos can do to businesses, so it’s not entirely altruistic.
But I’m aware that this transition away from American dominance can be wild. It’s inevitable that fighting for the top dog position will happen. How that plays out with shrinking population is anyone’s guess.
It was an empire in all but name and was a bit more than just a strategic benefit, but every empire gets too expensive to maintain and must shrink again.
Last start American politicians started to talk about the cost and responsibilities being too much, EU countries started cozying up to China and it freaked the same politicians that were talking “I invite you to get going without us”. Let’s see what happens this time.
You’re absolutely right that many powerful nations have faced this pattern. America’s post-WWII global influence resembles an ‘empire’ in the sense that it shaped world economics and politics, even if it wasn’t a traditional empire. And sure, the U.S. did get more than just ‘strategic benefits’ — having the dollar as the dominant currency, for instance, came with clear economic advantages.
But the other side of this is that America’s involvement hasn’t been purely self-serving; it’s also helped maintain relative global stability. With the U.S. starting to weigh the costs and shift focus inward, it’s natural for EU countries to explore other partnerships, like with China. That’s a smart move to balance their interests.
But whether the U.S. scales back its role or redefines it, it will be interesting to see what that means for global stability. Historically, the power shifts you mentioned don’t always lead to smooth transitions. The big question is how Europe and others will manage in a world where the U.S. might not be playing the same role as it has for the past 70+ years.
Global stability of always good for trade and business. The supply chains disruption with covid shows what a bit of chaos can do to businesses, so it’s not entirely altruistic.
But I’m aware that this transition away from American dominance can be wild. It’s inevitable that fighting for the top dog position will happen. How that plays out with shrinking population is anyone’s guess.