Return of multi-polar world?

fallin SG

At the turn of the 20th century, we had a number of Great Powers all jostling for power on the world stage. This all changed after WWI after the collapse of numerous Old World empires with everything accumulating in a bi-polar, United States versus Soviet Union,world. After the Cold War,the world’s been largely dominated by a single hyperpower. From the looks of it, we’re slowly moving back towards a multi-polar world. China is undoubtedly rising and from recent reports Russia seems to be to be a on resurgence. Not to mention India and the EU. I guess we’re looking at more Great Power-ish conflicts rather than US vs China in the future.

allentyb SG

i feel like smacking your head, and ask you SMLJ

beavan SG

why? what he says is quite true.

LazerLordz SG

I'd think that multi-polarity might not be a bad thing. It forces more influential powers to settle on compromises and restricts the chances that any future rogue American adminstration to wage war as they fancy it.

This, however, depends on whether China and India choose to come under the sphere of influence of America or go it alone. Should India become a strategic partner of the United States, it might create a new equation in Central Asia because the prevailing Chinese military thought can be said to be suspicious of American activity in states like Pakistan, Uzbekistan etc, which they view as an attempt to encircle Chinese influence in this region where American energy interests lie.

India wants to increase it's influence in the UN and in a multilateral setting. Her cooperation with USA on matters of nuclear despite not being a party to the Non Proliferation Treaty might prove to be a stumbling block..

Ito_^ SG

there should be three superpowers governing the world.

but all should remain as rivals and against each other.

den they wun make stupid moves, in case the other take advantage of the situation.

from romance of three kingdoms one. Mr. Green

LazerLordz SG

EU, USA, East Asia? Wink

fallin SG

Don't forget Russia, home of the world's second largest second nuclear arsenal.

Shotgun SG

What fallin says it true. Russia is on the rise again. Its now just a matter Putin reuniting Russia and its lost territory. The United States will be challenged by Russia and China as well.

Whether the multi polar world is a good thing or not, we do not truly know. But remember, the last time there was more than 2 super powers, there were great wars.

The only reason we have not see massive wars like in WW1 and WW2 is that there was only 1 super power.

Ito_^ SG

and the worst reason they might go to war for is.. "for world peace." Neutral

fallin SG

Originally posted by Shotgun:

The only reason we have not see massive wars like in WW1 and WW2 is that there was only 1 super power.

Actually thats not true. The only reason why we've haven't seen WW1/WW2 style wars is because nuclear arms...but thats a topic for another time.

storm_freaky13 SG

I believe China will not follow the footsteps of the US.

Anyway they will not want to be labelled a Superpower right now or join the US in policing the world because all of US problems will fall on them too.

I think in the future there will be mainly 2. China and the US.

EU has constantly had infighting particularly France and Germany (They just can't seem to get along) Its a pretty fragile union.

Russia... much to be seen in the coming months. They suddenly switched sides probably enough of american bull crap but they intend to help Iran which could be a bad thing.

India, well there was much hype in the past but they just dont seem to be climbing as fast as China and I personally dont see them or talked about as a Superpower for the next 5 years.

China is the real potential super power. Their economy has been booming and they are undergoing major upgrading of their military which is an important step to being a super power.

I really hope in the future, the superpowers will be more careful of what they do. it will seriously suck if there is a major conflict.

Arapahoe SG

i am not sure if i agreed that multi polar is good at least not for singapore. It is a fact that multi-polar environment has more smaller wars unforseen war since every states is for self interest.

With technology evolve these smaller war does not restrict to distance in the case of 911.

i think the future geo political landscape will evolve into regions. With some region still evolving.

beavan SG

i kind of dread china becoming a super power. they seem more brash than the USA. remember tiananmen square?

but it's all internal, unlike USA's external outlook

Arapahoe SG

its hard to tell what china would do to maintain Supremacy!!! remember all Giant power reach a stage where it would want to retain that supremacy and influence. How they do it is another story…so you cannot jude how the US until you have someone to compare with.

SingaporeMacross SG

Don’t forget the Middle East guys! Saudi Arabai and Iran want to play also.

fudgester SG

For all of their swagger and saber-rattling, though, I think their primary focus still remains on the ROC, with a secondary interest in the Korean peninsular.

Even so, I doubt if they currently have the amphibious assets to take the ROC by force... but that may easily change in the near future.

LazerLordz SG

Well, a unified Korean Republic is another potential Asian power, but it depends on how the South will bleed when they have to rebuild the North.

fudgester SG

Well, by many indications, it would take a massive effort to rebuild the North should they ever reunify. The North and the South are polar opposites of each other. It would take nothing less than an effort on the scale of the Marshall Plan to rebuild the North - both economically and psychologically.

Reuniting East and West Germany was much easier in contrast - and that wasn't really a walk in the park, either.

Arapahoe SG

Re-taking Taiwan would not take the massive seaborne landing as it would not have the surprise element. and poltical pressure from UN will set in before the PLA reach the shore of Taiwan.

The current strategy for PLA is several brigade of special forces airborne drop into capital and take out political targets secure the airport. The war will be over in 1 night. Glorious victory for the PLA who will control the communist regime....so that PLA will continue to control china instead of the new capitalist.

iSpeak SG

JC boys. Confused