The dissolution of the Soviet Union and the fall of the wall of Berlin in 1989 gave birth to the unipolar world order led by the United States. Globalization also emerged as a byproduct of this unipolar world order. The United States succeeded in aligning most of the countries towards one singular interest, that of the United States and its allies’. The global supply chain network pinnacled to an unprecedented level during this era of globalization. Former US President George Bush proclaimed in his speech, in 1991, that this US-led world order has resulted in universal benefit. He further held that the conduct of different nations would be governed by the “rule of law” and the United Nations would fulfill the role of a credible peacekeeper by realizing the vision and pledges of the proponents of this organization. Some famous American philosophers, especially Francis Fukuyama, also claimed the perpetual triumph of the US-led liberal world order.
However, all these assumptions and proclamations were debatable as this system, just like all the previous world orders, would only survive until the United States stood invincible. The only thing that is permanent in the world is change. Therefore, the proclamations about the perpetuity of the US-led world are fallacious. The already declining US influence over the world is an utter depiction of the fluid nature of the world. The power blinds the global superpower to comprehend that their hegemony and vision are not insurmountable. They are hoaxed by the illusion that their former competitors have accepted them as their masters, are not competition anymore. However, the reality is quite contrary. Those once defeated by a superpower keep on evolving and mourning their past glory throughout time. The other nations learn to play by the rules of the hegemon and achieve their own goals while evading the interests of the unipolar power. China is one of the good examples of this. The country is the industrial hub of the world. Over time, it has grown itself into an economic giant by avoiding wars and armed conflicts. Now China is perceived as the biggest threat to the US hegemony.
On the other hand, the United States has remained a key violator of its own vision of a “rule of law” based world. The United Nations has also proven to be ineffective in ensuring peace and stability in the world. By that time, the “rule of law” based world order turned out to be a coercion and intimidation-based world order. The United States has been one of the key players in more than 80 percent of wars after World War 2. It has been undertaking unilateral decisions to wage wars under the pretense of the spread of democracy and peace. The United States’ inhumane war crimes in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other countries of the world have unearthed the reality of its delusional “rule of law” based world order. Its recent support of the Israeli genocide in Gaza and the inability of the United States to prevent the killing of innocent civilians has further weakened this unipolar world order.
History demonstrates that the globe has always been in a state of competition and rivalry between the major powers. So, it would be cogent to hold that the unipolarity is susceptible to instability and is unlikely to survive for long. Therefore, the globe always remains divided in bloc politics. The fall of the unipolar due to its own unilateral actions and over-confidence resulted in the emergence of novel blocs and alliances of strengthening nations. These new blocs ensure the fall of the unipolar world order. In the US-led unipolar world, the global south has always been neglected. The United States has always exploited the global south for its own benefit. The oil-rich Middle East has always been a victim of US oppression and tyranny. Allegedly, the United States has waged wars on different Middle Eastern countries to gain access to the mineral resources of the region. Moreover, the United States is also known for betraying its allies after achieving its own interests. In the words of Henry Kissinger, the former Secretary of State of the US, it may be dangerous to be an enemy of America, but it is fatal to be its ally. The rise of BRICS under the leadership of Russia and China depicts the imminent end of the contemporary unipolar world order. The inclusive policies of Russia and China have caught the attention of the majority of nations in the world, especially the global south. President Putin’s anti-Islamophobic statements and remarks have been well-received and appreciated among the Muslim world. Unlike the United States, Russia and China are following a peaceful foreign policy. This is one of the major factors in the rapid rise of BRICS. The inclusion of Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iran is deemed a diplomatic success of the inclusive world order that Russia and China are leading. Moreover, reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia with China’s mediation has further improved the image of BRICS. Consequently, almost 40 nations of the world have shown interest in BRICS membership. The tyranny and oppression of the United States and its exclusive policies are some of the key reasons behind the current rapid decline of the unipolar world order. An egalitarian, inclusive multipolar world order led by the BRICS nations is destined to replace the US-led unipolar world order sooner or later.
Abbas Hashemite – is a political observer and research analyst for regional and global geopolitical issues. He is currently working as an independent researcher and journalist, exclusively for “New Eastern Outlook”.