US hegemony PSIR current affairs
US hegemony PSIR current affairs
Hedging against America C Raja Mohan
PYQs linkage:
- Critically examine the decline of the United States of America as a hegemon and its implications for the changing international political order. 15(2021)
- Discus the various constraints on American hegemony today. Which of these are likely to become more prominent in the future?15(2023)
- Do you agree with the view that the USA uses NATO as a traditional tool of strategy to perpetuate its hegemony in the world? 15(2024)
Theory application:
Mearshemeir “Offensive realism”: great powers are always searching for opportunities to gain powers over their rivals, with hegemony their final goal.
Hegemonic stability theory: (Charles Kindleberger and later expanded by Robert Gilpin): There must be a hegemonic power, i.e. a single dominant power in the international system to ensure international economic and political stability. Only a hegemonic power can establish the international rules that facilitate orderly exchanges amongst countries and should punish transgressors with predictable penalties.
Concepts and keywords:
restructuring, strategic autonomy, dual-dependency on US and China, EU – USA transatlantic ties, US China rivalry in Indo-Pacific,
Important facts:
Phases of challenges in Indian foreign policy:
The Chinese betrayal in 1962, China’s embrace of Pakistan, the Sino-Soviet spilt, the US-China entente in the 1970s, the Soviet collapse of 1991, the rise of a new economic order in the 1990s, and the Russia-China alignment in the 2000s.
important quotes or statements:
“..As in life, so in international relations—nothing is forever.”
Brief analysis and key points from the news or editorial:
Trump 2.0
Unprecedented disruption unleased by President’s Trump 2nd Term through imposing trade tariffs on countries across the globe threatening the existing global order.
Challenges for Global order:
- All USA partners have enormous stakes in sustaining their economic and technological ties with the US.
- Their security challenges would become far more demanding without American guarantees.
How key actors are responding:
- Embracing the idea of ‘strategic autonomy’
- Diversification and de-risking
- EU is accelerating collective defence efforts
- France and Britain are discussing better coordination of their nuclear weapons policies.
- French president’s call for European unity for responding effectively to global challenges.
- UK is seeking to rebalance the “special relationship” with the USA against the geographic imperative of Europe. Rebuilding links with EU.
- Japan reducing its dependence of the USA by not offering any easy concessions or compromising its national interest under US pressure.
- Australia insisted that being an ally does not mean a blind follower and stepped-up efforts to engage its Asia neighbours
- Challenges for India:
- It may face any strategic surprise
What’s India’s approach:
- Continue to engage with the USA
- Weighing the consequences of the Trump upheaval for Eurasia and the global order
- Negotiating a trade deal
Key suggestion:
- India must focus on managing external changes.
- India must have will to walk away if negotiations don’t go in desired directions.
download the document: Hedging against America (2)