The second world
- 2. WHO REALLY HAS POWER? The United States was once the worlds superpower. Today, things are changing with globalization. There is no longer a single superpower, but rather a triple power among the United States, China, and the European Union. As the second world nations like eastern Europe and central Asia, Latin America, the middle east and southeast Asia become more attractive due to their resources and raw material that are scarce around the world, these superpowers must compete and offer these second world countries a nice package. For example, China offers infrastructure plans and trade deals, while the United States offers military protection, and the EU promises economic stability. The Three Superpowers: The United States, China, and the European Union
- 3. KAZAKHSTAN Kazakhstan is a landlocked nation that considered their geographic location a curse. At the present, Kazakhstans location is not a curse, but actually a blessing! The superpowers are racing to Kazakhstan for its energy resources. Kazakhstan has potential, like Saudi Arabia, it is an energy powerhouse. Kazakhstan has not only built pipelines from east to west and north to south, it has also built many friendships. Kazakhstan, now a nation wealthy enough to stand on its own, is trying to free their long ties with Russia. Kazakhstans main interest is in doing business with China. Why China? Because China is desperate and in urgent need of energy, and will pay Kazakhstan a pretty penny for their resources!
- 4. POOR INDIA, LITERALLY India is the second most populated country in the world with over one billion citizens. Unfortunately most of the people that live in India are living in poverty. India could technically still be considered a third world country. The city slums are the largest in the world. As Indias population continues to rise, so will poverty. Even as the infrastructure develops, it will be extremely hard for India to break out of poverty, and if it does, it will be under Chinas rules. Even though China has no democracy, it is extremely successful, and India will have no choice but to follow Chinas order.
- 5. INDIA AND GLOBALIZATION Under the British Raj, India was the most powerful territory over the Suez Canal and the Strait of Malacca, but had lost that power to the Arab world when ties with the British Raj ended. Today, India is a wanted by the United States and China. The United States believes India can rise to be the first large, economically powerful, culturally vibrant, multiethnic, multireligious democracy outside the geographic West(Khanna P. 275). Outsourcing is the number one attraction to India. The United States and China both want India for this reason. Khanna describes India as a back office for Western firms, and the largest outsourcing operations in China are from India.
- 6. CHINA IS ON A ROLL TO WIN THE RACE As China is trying to take over India, China also has other plans. China has made friendships with countries that border India. For example, Bangladesh. As India tries to block their border from Bangladesh and divert the Brahmaputra River that Bangladesh depends on, China is going against Indias wishes and has muscled their way in becoming an observer in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. China has no problem doing this since is not yet important.
- 7. The United States Falling Behind Most countries advance into a higher world status from third to second world countries and from second to first world countries. This may not be the case for the United States. The United State once considered to be the only superpower is rapidly losing status and power. The reputation is far from good. Critics believe the United States is too proud and supercilious. If the United States is to maintain superpower status, a change in government administration must happen. The United States is in sever debt, as if being in debt isnt bad enough, the United States is in debt to its rivals! Ouch!