The End of Western Unipolarity
Faux Social Contracts, Gramsci & Althusser - An Internal Critique
Morning Comrades.
We ended last week on a lengthy topic that touched upon the end of the unipolar western dominance and I mentioned that it is a topic that has been brewing inside of me for some time. By no means is this the end of a discussion, far from it, but if anything it hopefully will be a new one. When discussing the ends of empires, throughout history and our current one we often, and frankly importantly so, focus on external factors - opposition small and large to the existing world order, economics, wars and all the topics in between that sell books and make for even worse podcasts. Internal critiques, from the people who live in these empires are, at their time, most often suppressed as dissent and rarely make it into the historical canon- occasionally, they do, but not all that often. That’s a little different today as we have so much more tools to help us record our thoughts and pass them on to other people and future generations, well, one would hope in any case, and I am going to be presumptuous to say that hopefully this will be one of these accounts.
Again, I often think of the external factors involved in ending the “western” empire as we know. Rightfully so but my mind over the last few days has drifted towards the internal question. By that I mean, the justification of said empire, our state constructs, the lives we lead and on what grounds we believe, act and think they way we do. These aren’t new discussions but currently lacking in vocalization within our critical internal spaces. For example, does the empire we exist under deserve to be dismantled and relegated to history, purely on the basis that it is based on utterly unjust and immoral realities?
Of course, us working people have little to no impact on the outcome of this history until we get off our arses and get together and history will occur no matter what. The point of these internal critiques is accountability, reckoning and learning. So let’s get into it. Disclaimer, I often use the wording “USA”, and occasionally specifically mean that country, but it is meant to be understood as the entire NATO “West”.
Since the end of the Cold War, the United States has been the world's only superpower, dominating the international system through its military, economic, and cultural power. This unipolar reign of the US has been touted by its benefactors as a sign of American exceptionalism and leadership, but in reality is a failure in economic, cultural, and social terms.
Economic Failure
One of the primary reasons why the unipolar reign of the US has been a failure is due to its economic policies, which have led to inequality, job losses, and the decline of the middle class. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the US has lost more than 4.5 million manufacturing jobs since 1994 due to globalization and trade deals such as NAFTA, which have benefited multinational corporations but harmed American workers.
In addition, income inequality in the US has continued to worsen, with the top 1% of Americans owning more wealth than the bottom 90%. This trend is even more pronounced in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, which saw the wealthiest Americans bailed out while ordinary Americans lost their homes and savings.
Furthermore, the US has one of the highest rates of poverty and food insecurity among so called “developed” countries, with millions of Americans relying on government assistance just to make ends meet. This is despite the fact that the US is one of the wealthiest countries in the world.
Cultural Failure
The unipolar reign of the US has also been a failure culturally, as American culture has become homogenized and commercialized to a point of absurdism, leading to a decline in diversity and creativity. According to a study by the National Endowment for the Arts, US citizens are reading less literature, attending fewer cultural events, than ever before.
This decline in cultural engagement is due in part to the dominance of American media and entertainment, which has spread around the world and displaced local cultures. For example, the popularity of American films and television shows has led to a decline in the film industries of other countries, and the spread of American fast food chains has led to the homogenization of local cuisines.
Furthermore, the US has been criticized for its cultural imperialism, with American values and norms being imposed on other countries through military interventions and economic policies. This has led to resentment and resistance in many parts of the world.
Social Failure
Finally, the unipolar reign of the US has been a failure socially, as the country has failed to address systemic racism, gender inequality, and other forms of social injustice. According to a report by the United Nations, the US has the highest rate of income inequality among developed countries, and African Americans and other minorities are disproportionately affected by poverty and discrimination.
Furthermore, the US has a high rate of gun violence and mass shootings, due in part to its lax gun laws and a culture that glorifies violence. The country has also been criticized for its use of torture and other forms of human rights abuses in its military interventions.
Finally, the US has been slow to address the urgent issue of climate change, with its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and its continued dependence on fossil fuels. This failure to act on climate change could have catastrophic consequences for future generations.
Maintenance of Domination
Despite the criticisms of the unipolar reign of the US, it is important to acknowledge that the country has been able to maintain its dominance, especially in the West, through a variety of factors.
One of the primary factors contributing to the continued dominance of the US is its military power. The US has the largest military budget in the world, and its military bases and alliances span the globe. This military dominance has allowed the US to intervene in other countries' affairs and shape global politics to its advantage.
Another factor contributing to the US's dominance is its economic power. Despite the criticisms of its economic policies, the US remains the largest economy in the world, and its multinational corporations dominate many industries. This economic power has allowed the US to exert influence over other countries' economies and shape global economic policies to its advantage.
The US has also been successful in projecting its cultural influence around the world, through the export of American music, movies, and fashion. This cultural influence has allowed the US to shape the values and beliefs of people around the world, and has contributed to the perception of the US as a leader in cultural innovation and creativity.
Finally, the US has been able to maintain its dominance through its political institutions and alliances. The US political system, with its separation of powers and strong constitutional protections, has provided a stable and predictable environment for investment and innovation. The US has also maintained alliances with other Western democracies, such as the EU and Japan, which have provided a framework for cooperation and shared values.
Counter Strategies according to Gramsci & Althusser
Theories on power by philosophers such as Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, and logically Karl Marx provide insight into how the Western world could potentially break the unipolar dominance of the US.
Gramsci's theory of cultural hegemony suggests that power is not just about military and economic might, but also about controlling the dominant ideas and cultural values in society. The US has been successful in projecting its cultural influence around the world, but other countries and cultures could potentially challenge this dominance by developing their own alternative cultural values and promoting them on a global scale. This could involve developing new forms of media, art, and literature that challenge the dominant cultural narratives promoted by the US.
Althusser's theory of ideology suggests that power is maintained through the use of ideology, which creates a sense of false consciousness that keeps people in a state of subjugation. To break the unipolar dominance of the US, the working class’ could work to challenge the dominant ideologies promoted by the US, such as neoliberalism and American exceptionalism. This could involve promoting alternative economic models, such as communism, and challenging the notion that the US is inherently superior to other nations.
Marx's theory of class struggle suggests that power is ultimately determined by economic factors, with those who control the means of production holding the most power in society. To break the unipolar dominance of the US, other countries could work to challenge the economic dominance of American multinational corporations by promoting alternative economic models and building up their own domestic industries. This could involve developing new trade agreements that prioritize local industries and building up infrastructure to support domestic production.
The point I am working towards here is this: our empire is built on a bucket load of lies, crimes and injustice against any and everyone not in their club. We have all been so inundated with a false sense of belonging and superiority that rarely do we ever consider the validity of our dominance that benefits no one other than the Capitalist class. With that, any aside from the only-logical opposition of this dominance from the rest of the world, ours should align with the working classes. Am internal critique and reckoning of our ruling classes is the beginning of a process that will dismantle the immoral, violent, dominance of this class and can be a hopeful start towards liberation.
Food for thought.
Yours, warmly and without compromise,
V.