An Overwhelmed America Withdraws Itself

[unhappycamper]

http://watchingamerica.com/News/241931/an-overwhelmed-america-withdraws-itself/

America is indispensable and at the same time overwhelmed: because of itself, its geopolitical rivals, and the weakness of the Europeans. They will get the America they deserve.

An Overwhelmed America Withdraws Itself
Die Welt, Germany
By Michael Stürmer
Translated By Annaliese Stewart
28 June 2014
Edited by Kyrstie Lane

The United States, the strongest military power in the world, is still the only superpower. To this end, it possesses everything that Harvard Professor Joseph Nye calls "soft power." This includes many things – from many of the rules and structures of financial markets to cyberspace and cyber warfare, from music and fashion to film and television, and all other modern forms of play. But the "sole surviving superpower" suffers from self-doubt – within reason.

After its triumph in the world turn of 1989-90, it did not escape the fate that sooner or later befalls all empires – even the liberal ones – which is inscribed in the chronicles of the 20th century as "imperial over-extension." The ancient Greeks recognized this, despite having difficulties with power, perhaps because of how Hubris and Nemesis, the ugly sisters, smiled at each other.

The Americans are undertaking some serious introspection, not only because of the runaway government budget or the erosion of the armed forces, but also because the old nice idea of making the world safe for democracy and via democracy no longer has the advantage for them that it once did in Asia and most parts of the world.

China's rise is shaking the political elite of Asia, leading them to ask for the recipe for future power and wealth, and Putin's "vertical of power" serves as internal political abutment for the reconstruction of the imperial space that was once filled by czars and commissars.

[ellenrr]

1. marked to read later. thanks. always good...

to get a view from outside America.