Monday, April 10, 2006
Theory on Super-Powers
I’m sure this theory isn’t original, that it’s actually been expounded many times before, because it is so simple as to almost be obvious. Still, as events are unfolding in the developing conflict between Middle East and West, I think the issue has grown exponentially in significance, and needs to be reexamined: if the goal of society is a safer, more stable world in which to live in, the optimal number of superpowers is 2; any number of superpowers larger or smaller than 2 will lead eventually towards conflict that will move the number of superpowers back towards 2.
Admittedly, the theory is not that complex. If you have 3 or more superpowers, eventually the smaller superpowers will join together to take on the larger superpower. If you have 1 superpower, it cannot survive indefinitely, either because corruption will cause unrest within the nation, or because greed will lead to expansion, and this attempt at colonization, even if deemed altruistic will always lead to the formation of blocks of countries to form superpowers and fight back against the colonization. If there are no superpowers, any power-hungry nation to rise up and capture power, allowing world chaos.
Below is a world map by spheres of influence in 1959. Look at how balanced the world is, between the countries that were part of the Warsaw pact and those countries aligned with Nato. I’m going to develop new maps, and see just where we’ve moved to over the past 50 years. But of course I will get some wrong, and would appreciate any assistance that you can provide.
To me, it’s quite clear that 15 years ago the second superpower, The Soviet Union, disintegrated, leaving a vacuum at the second superpower position. I have stated here many times before that I believe that Middle Eastern powers have been trying to occupy that second superpower position for the past 15 years, but have been thwarted time and again. But now Iran’s bid for the position seems to have taken hold, and he would claim that spot….except that a third superpower is also building on the horizon.
Together we will explore in the coming days the juxtaposition of the developing superpowers in the world, determine who is and who isn’t a superpower, and how these recent developments have affected the power of the United States, Europe, and Democracy in the world order. Hold on tight, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
Posted by Scottage at 6:00 PM /
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I’m sure this theory isn’t original, that it’s actually been expounded many times before, because it is so simple as to almost be obvious. Still, as events are unfolding in the developing conflict between Middle East and West, I think the issue has grown exponentially in significance, and needs to be reexamined: if the goal of society is a safer, more stable world in which to live in, the optimal number of superpowers is 2; any number of superpowers larger or smaller than 2 will lead eventually towards conflict that will move the number of superpowers back towards 2.
