Here is a rather long article but well worth the read. If you are depressed about world news give it a try b/c it is very optimistic. If you can take the time I would love to hear what others think. I am sure for some it will raise red flags about a one world government, but that isn't what globalization is about and I think it is very sad and disheartening when Christians end up on the other side of supporting billions of people rising out of abject poverty! Below is a quote near the end of the story that gives a good summation to conclude the article. Mainly I like his optimism and talk about the "growing pie".
‘The Post-American World’ or 'The Rise of the Rest'
‘The Post-American World’ or 'The Rise of the Rest'
Americans—particularly the American government—have not really understood the rise of the rest. This is one of the most thrilling stories in history. Billions of people are escaping from abject poverty. The world will be enriched and ennobled as they become consumers, producers, inventors, thinkers, dreamers, and doers. This is all happening because of American ideas and actions. For 60 years, the United States has pushed countries to open their markets, free up their politics, and embrace trade and technology. American diplomats, businessmen, and intellectuals have urged people in distant lands to be unafraid of change, to join the advanced world, to learn the secrets of our success. Yet just as they are beginning to do so, we are losing faith in such ideas. We have become suspicious of trade, openness, immigration, and investment because now it's not Americans going abroad but foreigners coming to America. Just as the world is opening up, we are closing down.
2 comments:
I just got around to reading my Newsweek today. I read this article/excerpt and too found it optimistic.
It's not surprising to find that Zakaria puts most of the need for change on the US Government. While I agree that the gov't is in serious need of a shake up, I think that socially Americans need some sort of a change as well. We've become so accustomed to our "superior" status that we fail to see potential in other cultures to be better at things than we are. We eat too much, spend too much, and generally don't care about anyone but ourselves. There are those that have been very concerned about brightening/cleaning up the image that we as Americans have had in the world. He made a good point on that note in that we have been so busy trying to change the image we project to the rest of the world we've missed them rising up beyond what we once knew to do bigger and better things than us.
It is a somewhat sad prospect to live in a US that is so different from what we have grown up with and most of us love. The superpower that everyone wanted to be a part of. It will be interesting to see, in our lifetime, the changes he's talking about. I wonder if this global peace that he refers to will be something we see or if it's just a pipe dream to us optimists?
Interesting article for sure. I disagree with some of the minor points about terrorism (we fight terrorism not because we're afraid of being killed individually but because it's a grave injustice.) and socialized medicine (cheaper for employers, tragically expensive for tax payers financially and physically) but agree with the overall conclusions.
The evidence really is all around us and I mean this in a positive way. Take a look at the aircraft mfg'ers in Wichita. International sales are brisk and providing tens of thousands of jobs locally.
If we Americans really want to compete globally we need to continue with the ideas we've exported. The same ones that took us from farmers and settlers to THE world super power in 150 years time. Capitalism and free markets. Those aren't dirty words.
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