The Challenge to Western Dominance
The figures in Fig. 2 show that the challenge to Western economic and political dominance, especially from Asia, is serious. However, a closer look at the challengers reveals that they all have significant weaknesses on this difficult journey—weaknesses that could determine the fate of the challenge.
Troubled Relations Between China and India
First, the relationship between China and India, the two main actors in this challenge, is highly problematic, and it is very difficult for these two nuclear powers, which have serious border issues, to cooperate in a manner similar to the U.S. and EU.
India’s Policy of Balance
India prefers a policy of balance between the West and China: while it joins China in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), it acts together with the U.S. and its close allies in Asia, Australia, and Japan, in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD). India’s membership in QUAD is a development that should be added to China’s record of failures in the global power struggle.
The Importance of Key Actors
It’s noteworthy to remember that a main reason why the United States emerged from the Cold War with the upper hand over the Soviet Union was its success in bringing powerful countries into its alliance network. Thus, the positions of actors such as India, Japan, Brazil, and Russia will be very decisive for the outcome of the power struggle between the United States and China.
China’s Weakness in Allies
From this perspective, one of Beijing’s weaknesses is its policy of pushing India towards the United States on security issues, rather than seeking a close alliance with the rising power. Meanwhile, China has already lost major economies such as Japan and South Korea to the United States. Apparently, China, now an economic giant, does not fully understand that it needs to take strong allies with it.
