The Redistribution of Power & America's Future Role

Discussion of American decline has increasingly become a hot topic. Rising food and energy costs are taking a toll on the global economy. Droughts attributed to global warming and misplaced hope in biofuel further exacerbates the food shortage. Population growth is putting an unprecedented strain on Earth's resources as people in the developing world aspire to attain a Western standard of living. Wealth centers concentrated around energy sources (OPEC, Exxon, etc.) continue to rake in cash despite economic stagnation. There are even talks of an Asian rice cartel to control the supply of a vital food source for the world's poor!

Meanwhile, the world's greatest power is embroiled in an expensive war that diverts dwindling global resources and has helped create an economic recession. In the last decade, the war on terrorism has defined American politics but the global struggle for energy will define American policy for years to come. A war against ideology is a luxury. But the fight for vital resources is a necessity.

While a complete collapse of American hegemony is unlikely, power and resource sharing is inevitable as developing countries rise. Redistribution of influence does not mark the decline of America. Instead, growth in the developing world is a byproduct of American unipolarity. If the U.S. hadn't won the Cold War and spread their brand of free market capitalism, countries like China would not have altered its defunct policies and adopted such a commanding presence in the global market. But now, China's thirst for oil and other resources are driving demand and prices up, putting a strain on American consumption.

China and India are also outpacing America in growth, but America's GDP still hovers at $14 trillion. The EU has a comparable GDP but lacks the national unity to harness that power the way a country can, for now. The U.S. may not be in decline but the country has reached a pivotal point and the next few years could set the tone of America's role in the world.

The political climate of the 21st century may be characterized by a power struggle for vital natural resources unless the United States adopts a preventative policy to combat these drastic changes. Tsunamis in Indonesia and hurricanes in Louisiana give a glimpse into the costs of human-induced climate change. The Burmese cyclone caused devastating damage, in part because mangroves that act as a natural barrier have been carelessly destroyed in the affected area.

The amount of people who come to rely on fossil fuel increases everyday as industrial and technological revolutions flourish in the developing world. The only nonmilitary solution to combat these problems is to focus on developing technologies that produce efficient solutions for energy consumption. We desperately need a green revolution in America in order to offset the industrial and tech revolutions abroad.

Yet the necessary political will has been slow to gain momentum. The democratic presidential candidates boast about their proposals for so-called "green collar" jobs. Time will tell if this is more than just election season hyperbole. If the "gas-tax" debate is any indication of presidential seriousness on the topic, we are doomed.

America needs to lead, not follow the charge towards a greener future it consumes the most energy, generates the most waste and stands to lose more than any other country if inaction persists. Global warming may still be debatable, but it is obvious that there is a problem when more and more people use diminishing resources. Energy efficiency will not only save the planet, it will also prevent America's demise.

Learn more about this author, Kevin Andrews.
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