The Hollow Promise of the Next Hegemon
One might expect an article appearing in the Taipei Times to be a bit critical of mainland China. This piece does not disappoint on that account. What is striking is that it makes very clear that despite China's recent appearance in the sun during the Olympics, even should it acquire the power position it aspires to, it will be nothing more than a hegemon no better, and probably worse than the US and the former European colonialists.
Of course, I have said that for awhile. If not the US, who? Power hates a vaccum and will fill it. If we retrench, someone will rise. We did when the Europeans collectively committed suicide in the first half of the 20th Century. Could it be a petro fueled Russia? Could it be the newly reestablished Middle Kingdom? It is unclear, but one should inquire, would either be better than the US, even taking into account the myriad of flaws of the US?
One could ask the Georgians. One could also ask the Tibetans or Uighers (who, according to some reports, are about to get hit hard in Xinjiang after the Olympics are over).
Of course, I have said that for awhile. If not the US, who? Power hates a vaccum and will fill it. If we retrench, someone will rise. We did when the Europeans collectively committed suicide in the first half of the 20th Century. Could it be a petro fueled Russia? Could it be the newly reestablished Middle Kingdom? It is unclear, but one should inquire, would either be better than the US, even taking into account the myriad of flaws of the US?
One could ask the Georgians. One could also ask the Tibetans or Uighers (who, according to some reports, are about to get hit hard in Xinjiang after the Olympics are over).
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