Scientific American

This book is a collection of essays written by J rgen rstr m M ller since 2015, which focus on the geopolitical, geoeconomics and societal developments of recent times, including the war in Ukraine, Brexit and the future of the European Union, as well as the economic trajectories of the US, China and the UK.

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the US emerged as the sole superpower in a new world order. However, the rise of China in the subsequent decades has coincided with the reduced standing and power of the US.

Understanding the shift in the global power balance requires an appreciation of the domestic developments in the US and China. On the one hand, the US under the Trump administration had taken a protectionist stance in its trade policies and built walls along its borders to keep out immigrants. On the other hand, the Chinese government has aggressively expanded its economy and posted high economic growth, as part of its efforts to uplift the lives of its people.

With the US’ economic strength in decline, how long will the incumbent superpower be able to hold on its pole position before being replaced by a challenger? This question and more are addressed in this book.