Declining US Global Leadership: Reasons, Implications, and Way Forward

Context: 

This editorial is based on the news “The decline of America’s leadership” which was published in the Hindu. This article highlights the changes in the global landscape. The United States is facing internal challenges and external pressures from emerging countries like China.

Declining US Global Leadership

• Declining US World Power: The US has been the dominant global superpower since World War II, but as per experts, this dominant leadership is now declining.
• Global Implications: It has implications for global governance and India.

Reasons For Declining US Global Leadership

• Political Polarization:

  • Extreme partisanship and dysfunction in US politics.
  • Questions over electoral processes and peaceful transition.
  • Undermines leadership credentials.

• Relative Economic Decline:

  • China will overtake the US as the largest economy in the coming years.
  • Falling competitiveness in key technologies like AI, 5G, etc.
  • Rising debt levels over $30 trillion.

• Failures in International Leadership:

  • Damaged credibility due to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  • Withdrawing from global agreements and commitments.
  • Alignment with Israel despite Palestinian human rights issues.

• Domestic Problems:

• • Observance of rule of law, public health and education deficiencies.
  • Social fragmentation due to immigration backlash and inequality.

Implications Of Declining US Global Leadership

• On Global Governance:

  • The US struggles to galvanize coordinated action on climate change and pandemics.
  • Undermines rules-based international order it championed.
  • Opens space for assertive China to expand influence.

• India’s Choices:

  • Balance relations with the US and partners like Europe and Japan.
  • But avoid overtly aligning with the US against China.
  • Join alternative governance forums like BRICS.

• Opportunities Amidst Decline:

• • The US is still a leader in defence technology, innovation ecosystems and India can benefit from partnerships in these areas.
  • There is also a diaspora and education links to sustain ties.

Conclusion

Decline in US leadership may continue absent political and economic revival, which creates fluid geopolitics, space for emerging powers and India must retain ties but avoid relying completely on diluting US power.