Chanakya University Bengaluru organized a special talk titled “Global Political Transitions: Is The U.S. Ready?” with Prof. Walter Russel Mead (Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship at Hudson Institute, the James Clarke Chace Professor of Foreign Affairs and Humanities at Bard College); at the Yuvaka Sangha Auditorium in Bengaluru.
Prof. Walter began the talk on a lighter note by stating that the United States of America is not prepared for the upcoming political transitions. Prof. Walter also articulated how he witnessed in the 1950s various events undermining America and said he expects massive changes to envelop the world soon.
He also threw light on the world’s countries currently moving in a divergent pattern with respect to their cultural and economic patterns. A notable theme touched upon at this juncture was the Industrial Revolution that changed the economies and cultural patterns of the world’s countries. Urbanization also played a key role in changing the way in which some countries (economies) were perceived, including that of the U.S.A.
The changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution, along with that of the current Information Revolution were also touched upon by Prof. Walter. These are bound to affect economies across the world. Prof. Walter observed that the U.S.A. is still not ready for the transitions brought about by these changes. He summed up by stating that Humanity is currently not prepared to face the incoming transitions and challenges.
Prof. Walter also described the Rise of China and the resultant political upheaval as a major change for which the US.A. (and various other countries of the world including India) needs to be prepared for.
“Currently, the U.S.A. and China are at loggerheads over many issues. The issue of Taiwan is a flash in the pan in current geopolitics. In case of a war, we would have to witness major challenges across any fronts.” stated Prof. Walter.
In case tensions arise among the U.S.A. and China concerning Taiwan, then India would stand to face major economic challenges not witnessed since independence, he added. He also expressed concerns about Japan losing its identity as an independent power in case China managed to unify Taiwan.
He summed up by saying that India needs to flourish to transform the state of U.S – China relations, and provided an American perspective where Asian countries should be more successful and peaceful that potentially works well with the U.S.A. He also mentioned the recent visit of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US and the positive response this visit garnered.