The Blooming New World Order
It would be invidious not to notice how the world is shaping up. It has since moved from the completely western dominance to a culture of conservatism and meteoric liberalism. Ostensibly, the presence of disruptive weapons in the hands of more than a few is moulding the rule for caution.
In other words, a new world order is building its picture. But how?
The Ever Existing Concept
The concept of a new world order envisions a global geopolitical landscape characterized by shifting power dynamics, economic interdependence, and evolving norms of governance. In this paradigm, China and the United States emerge as key players vying for influence and dominance.
China, with its rapid economic growth and assertive foreign policy, seeks to reshape the international order to better reflect its interests and values. Through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and the creation of alternative global institutions, China aims to expand its sphere of influence and challenge the traditional dominance of the US-led Western order.
On the other hand, the United States, while grappling with internal challenges and a changing global environment, remains committed to upholding its position as the preeminent global superpower. It seeks to maintain its leadership role through alliances, military strength, and technological innovation, while also adapting to the realities of a multipolar world.
The competition between China and the US for dominance in shaping the new world order is driven by their divergent visions of global governance, economic interests, and strategic objectives.
The China Tactic
In an era where Beijing’s vision for a new, multipolar global order is gaining momentum, an increasing number of nations are drawn towards a paradigm where Western hegemony becomes a relic of the past, and the once-unquestionable ideals of liberalism and democracy are no longer held in sacrosanct reverence.
China’s ascension to a leading position within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), primarily focused on security and political affairs, underscores its growing influence on the world stage. Comprising members such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, and Iran, with Belarus awaiting entry, the SCO forms a formidable bloc.
The BRICS Affair
Additionally, China wields significant clout within BRICS, initially constituted by the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and later expanding to include Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, and Ethiopia. This expansion reflects a shifting global landscape.
BRICS not only serves as a forum for consultation but also fosters economic cooperation, exemplified by the establishment of the New Development Bank to provide financial assistance to developing nations, particularly crucial in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine.
Crucially, both SCO and BRICS diverge from the liberal values espoused by Western institutions, accommodating member states regardless of their governmental systems, be they autocratic or democratic. Iran’s simultaneous membership in these organizations, despite Western sanctions stemming from its nuclear program, underscores China’s support, driven in part by its strategic energy interests.
Through the collaborative platforms of SCO and BRICS, authoritarian regimes such as Iran, Russia, and China have forged unprecedented bonds, raising concerns, particularly for the United States, regarding the collective assertion of power against Western dominance.
Moreover, China’s strategic initiatives extend beyond traditional alliances, manifesting in infrastructural projects facilitated by loans and executed by Chinese entities, bypassing the stringent scrutiny typical of Western aid criteria.
Second Tactic: The Recipe For Dominance
The ambitious “new Silk Road” initiative, still underway, has spawned three additional follow-up initiatives, as per the Global Times, aimed at fostering stability amidst global turmoil, ostensibly echoing the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations.
China’s presentation of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) at the United Nations, particularly amid criticisms of Western vaccine distribution during the pandemic, signifies a concerted effort to champion a more inclusive approach to global development, garnering support from seventy nations.
Similarly, the launch of the Global Security Initiative (GSI) following the conflict in Ukraine underscores China’s diplomatic maneuvers, exemplified by peace efforts in Ukraine and reconciliation between regional adversaries Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Yet beneath the veneer of multilateralism lie underlying tensions and divergent agendas, epitomized by the contrasting approaches of the United States and China towards universal human rights.
While the U.S. emphasizes the promotion and protection of human rights as fundamental to its foreign policy, China advocates for a context-specific approach, citing historical, cultural, and socioeconomic differences among nations.
Accusations of human rights abuses, including the persecution of Uyghur Muslims, have exacerbated tensions between the two powers, reflecting broader geopolitical rivalries and ideological clashes.
As the world navigates the complexities of a shifting geopolitical landscape, characterized by competing visions of global governance and divergent approaches to fundamental rights, the specter of military confrontations and nuclear escalation looms large, underscoring the urgency of effective diplomacy and cooperation in shaping a more stable and equitable world order.
