Amitav Acharya (American University, Washington DC): Rising Powers and the End of American World Order
The age of Western hegemony is over. Whether or not America itself is declining, the post-war liberal world order underpinned by US military, economic, and ideological primacy, and supported by global institutions serving its power and purpose, is coming to an end. But what will take its place? A Chinese world order? A reconstituted form of American hegemony? A regionalized system of global cooperation, including major and emerging powers?
In this timely and provocative book, Amitav Acharya offers an incisive answer to this fundamental question. While the US will remain a major force in world affairs, he argues that it has lost the ability to shape world order after its own interests and image. As a result, the US will be one of a number of anchors including emerging powers, regional forces, and a concert of the old and new powers shaping a new world order. Rejecting labels such as “multipolar,” “apolar,” or “G-Zero,” Acharya likens the emerging system to a multiplex theater, offering a choice of plots (ideas), directors (power), and action (leadership) under one roof. Finally, he reflects on the policies that the US, emerging powers, and regional actors must pursue to promote stability in this decentered but interdependent, multiplex world.
AMITAV ACHARYA is Professor of International Relations and the UNESCO Chair in Transnational Challenges and Governance at the School of International Service, American University, Washington, DC. His previous appointments include Professor of Global Governance and Director of the Centre for Governance and International Affairs at the University of Bristol; Professor, Deputy Director and Head of Research of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (now the S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies) at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Professor of Political Science at York University, Toronto, Canada; Fellow of the Harvard University Asia Center, and Fellow of Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
The book talk is held in cooperation with the SWP (German Institute for International and Security Affairs).Time & Location
Jun 24, 2014 | 06:00 PM c.t.
Henry Ford Building, Lecture Hall A