Is the Decline of the West Inevitable?

by Sophia Dimitrova

The United States and European countries are currently confronted with a difficult choice: either accept the rise of the rest of the world as synonymous with their own decline or recognize that the perception of world affairs as a zero-sum contest between the West and the “rest” is outdated. For several decades, we have been witnessing the emergence of a global scene, which is steadily becoming multipolar. We must therefore realize that the West is only in decline if we consider the sharing of power a failure. In fact, it is the rise of the developing world that can make the West even more prosperous, provided that it takes the necessary steps.

It is no secret that major economies in the developing parts of the world are expanding, but the West should view this growth as a factor that can aid its own resurgence. In the last decades, the developed world has witnessed the emergence of powerful economies in countries such as China, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Turkey, and Mexico. Slowly but surely, some of these developing economies have started dictating the rules of global economics, as seen at the 2011 G20 summit in Cannes. In fact, economic growth for some of these countries has been so massive that, in several decades, the United States might not even be the world’s largest economy. For example, economists predict that, in twenty years’ time, the Chinese economy will have quadrupled in GDP. Similarly, if it follows its current economic path, India will tie the US as the world’s second largest economy by 2040.

Rather than taking these statistics to indicate the West’s potential decline in economic power, we should realize that every day more people from all points of the globe are lifted from poverty to join the middle class because of extensive global economic growth. Developing African countries such as Kenya and Nigeria, for instance, are and will continue to be of significance. The West can profit from their progressive transformation by engaging in more trade and investment. Similarly, in South America, positive political development is becoming more prominent, with intellectuals such as Tariq Ali calling the continent a “reason for hope.” With the emergence of new democracies comes economic development and increased purchasing power. It would be foolish for the West not to take advantage of the financial awakening of millions. Ultimately, the fact that new players are entering the field of global economics should not frighten the United States and Europe. Indeed, the developed world could benefit enormously from this sudden fiscal burst by expanding its economic opportunities and thus increasing its wealth. Once the economic potential of the emerging markets is explored, the question then will not be of a possible decline but of an inevitable financial growth.

Before looking into the bright future offered by the massive economic expansion abroad, the West first must focus on coming to terms with its internal demons. In many Western countries, the economy poses the biggest problem. The United States has to find a way to pay off its enormous $14.3 trillion debt. Similarly, Europe must deal with Greece and Ireland’s economic crises, while simultaneously attempting to avert similar situations in Portugal and Italy. The West needs to act rapidly on these economic issues. Otherwise, they will cause its downfall at a time when other parts of the world are experiencing enormous financial success.

Besides economic matters, other issues, if left unaddressed, could potentially cause the West’s downfall. One such problem is the failure of multiculturalism in Europe. Social unification reflects a key characteristic of the future globalized world, which will see even more people from distinct backgrounds, religions, and nationalities living together. Yet in the past year, the governments of France, Germany, and Great Britain, three of Europe’s most advanced countries, have released statements condemning the unsuccessful integration of foreign cultures. In relation to this matter, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said last year that, “this [multicultural] approach has failed, utterly failed.” Similarly, just recently, former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown confirmed the same reality in Great Britain, condemning the established cultural divisions among people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds in his country. Additionally, France was recently the victim of much criticism for expelling Roma people back to their native countries (primarily Romania and Bulgaria), a move that the French government justified by stating that the Roma did not have valid work permits. Many claim, however, that as EU citizens, these people have the right to travel freely within the Union and accuse the French of “xenophobic reactions.” If Europe, the founder of Western intellect and creator and defender of countless progressive ideas throughout the centuries, cannot assure that people of different skin colors and ideas can peacefully coexist, then the continent itself will truly bring about its own decline in significance and, eventually, power.

Although economic uncertainty and intercultural friction are troubling, the West has the ability to solve them. There is only one aspect in which the developed world is powerless: the constant shrinking of the geographic, cultural, and ethnic boundaries that had been imposed on the world for many centuries. Rather than feeling threatened by the emergence of the “rest,” the West should view this global development as the beginning of the long-awaited establishment of equality among nations, which will benefit all. To hastily conclude that such a rise will cause the West’s inevitable downfall is irrational. In actuality, it will be almost impossible for the West not to take advantage of the new opportunities that the rest of the world offers, as they will benefit the developed world’s economic and cultural expansion.

However, the West still must deal with the essential matters discussed unless it wishes to relegate itself to an inferior position in global affairs. After all, in order for it to emerge as prosperous as everyone else, it must suppress the cries of its own ego and accept the current reality. Instead of trying to keep the spotlight all to itself, it must understand that sharing this spotlight will not only allow for the better future of emerging actors, but also make the global show bigger, brighter, and more successful than ever.