For more than two centuries, the West has dominated international affairs. But is that era coming to an end?
After all, the western share of global economic output is shrinking. US-led interventions in the Middle East in the post-September 11 era has been fraught with the danger of unintended consequences. And like Brexit, Donald Trump’s election, and the resurgence of populism across Europe shows, there is a widespread distrust of western elites. Meanwhile, the rise of China, India, and the rest – thanks to capitalism and technological innovation — continues unabated. So, has the West lost it?
Kishore Mahbubani served as Singapore’s ambassador to the United Nations, twice (1984-89, 98-04) as well as Singapore’s foreign ministry. He is the author of several influential books, most recently Has the West Lost It? A Provocation (Allen Lane).