The article argues that the post-Cold War era of U.S. unipolarity, established by the perceived invincibility demonstrated during the Gulf War, has ended. This decline is driven by globalization and technological diffusion, which have democratized advanced military capabilities, allowing regional actors to challenge major powers. Consequently, policymakers must prepare for a more volatile international order marked by frequent crises, heightened costs for securing global trade chokepoints, and reduced predictability from American power. The new rules dictate that great powers can no longer effortlessly impose their will through force.
The World Will Come to Miss Western Hypocrisy
English Summary
The analysis argues that the current international order, which fueled Western prosperity, is fundamentally built upon hypocrisy. Key evidence points to Western nations selectively applying liberal ideals, free trade principles, and international law, often exempting themselves from the very rules they champion. This selective adherence has created a significant gap between Western rhetoric and global reality. Consequently, the global community is increasingly recognizing and criticizing this hypocrisy, which challenges the legitimacy and sustainability of the established rules-based international system.
中文摘要
本分析指出，現行國際秩序雖然助長了西方國家的繁榮，但其本質卻建立在虛偽之上。關鍵證據顯示，西方國家在實施自由主義理想、自由貿易原則和國際法時，存在選擇性適用，經常將自身排除在它們所倡導的規則之外。這種選擇性的遵守，在西方言辭與全球現實之間造成了巨大的落差。因此，全球社群正日益認識並批評這種虛偽，這挑戰了既有規則導向的國際體系的合法性與可持續性。
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