The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the illusion of the end of the Cold War in 1991 marked a turning point in world history, leading to a period of Western hegemony characterized by the intoxication of power. This period of Western hegemony was characterized by a series of military interventions, the imposition of liberal democracy and all-out capitalism, and an increased grip on the global economy. However, this dominance has also led to a deficit of legitimacy and growing geopolitical tensions, highlighting the limits and contradictions of this intoxication with power.
Historical context
The intoxication of Western power since the illusion of the end of the Cold War is marked by the end of bipolarity and the emergence of the United States as the sole world superpower. The dissolution of the Soviet Union led to a period of geopolitical reorganization, with the creation of new institutions and the redefinition of alliances. Globalization and economic liberalization, otherwise known as the westernization of the world, have also played a key role, leading to increased integration of economies and markets. The spread of liberal democracy and Western values accompanied this period, while technological revolutions transformed the means of communication, transport and production, influencing international relations. This context has created an environment conducive to the intoxication of Western power, characterized by excessive confidence in its ability to shape the world according to its interests and values.
International geopolitical and geostrategic implications
The international geopolitical and geostrategic implications of the intoxication of Western power are multiple and complex. First, Western domination has led to growing resistance from emerging powers, who seek to defend their interests and challenge the established order. This has led to increased power rivalry and regional instability, particularly in the Middle East and Africa. The Arab Spring and the rise in power of terrorist movements, as well as the multiplication of centers of tension in Africa, better illustrate this thesis. The rise of nationalism and protectionism is also a consequence of Western hegemony, as some countries seek to protect their economic and cultural interests. Furthermore, the intoxication of Western power has led to a deficit of legitimacy because its actions are often perceived as neocolonial or imperialist. All this could lead to a reorganization of the world order, with the emergence of new actors and new alliances. At the forefront of this reorganization, the countries of the BRICS Alliance which share the fact of being subjected, differently of course, to the diktat, therefore to the domination of the Western world. Already in the hot seat of history, the crumbling of the West is evident, especially since it is already on the edge of the precipice.
Global economic, cultural and security impacts
The intoxication of Western power, it must be said without hesitation, has had dramatic impacts on the global economy, culture and security. Economically, Western domination has led to globalization that has benefited only Western countries, exacerbating inequalities between nations and within non-Western societies. Developing countries have historically been forced to adopt neoliberal economic policies that have favored Western corporate interests at the expense of their own development. Culturally, Western hegemony has led to cultural homogenization, with the diffusion of Western values, norms and practices that have eclipsed local cultures. This has sparked reactions of resistance and rejection, particularly in Muslim countries and others in Africa, Asia and Latin America. On the security front, Western domination has led to growing instability, with military interventions and political interference that have exacerbated conflicts and created new risks. The so-called “war on terror,” which has spread the seeds of terror across the world, has also led to increased surveillance and repression, which has eroded individual freedoms and human rights.
In light of the above, we can deduce that the intoxication of Western power since the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989 and the illusions of the end of the Cold War in 1991, has generated consequences dramatically profound and lasting impact on the world. It has resulted in hegemony that has exacerbated inequalities, provoked resistance and conflict, and eroded freedoms and human rights. It is essential to recognize the limits and dangers of this hegemony and to transition towards a more equitable, more democratic and more peaceful multipolar world order. This requires a questioning of the assumptions and interests that underpin Western power, as well as a willingness to dialogue and cooperate with other global actors to build a fairer and more secure future for all. This is what the BRICS Alliance is proposing.
We can therefore say that, through its intoxication with power, the West is responsible for the ills from which humanity has suffered for a long time.
Mohamed Lamine KABA, Expert in geopolitics of governance and regional integration, Institute of Governance, Humanities and Social Sciences, Pan-African University, especially for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook”