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The American System February, 2011
(A personal perspective based on my various involvements with US business interests.)
There can be no doubt that the American system of business and of politics (unmistakably intertwined) has dominated the world for the past 60 years. America has played a vital and important role in how the world is, how it has developed and what we see around us evolving into the near future.
There is much discussion around the rise of China, and even of India and of Brazil as major economic powerhouses, and of the huge natural wealth of Russia, and of regions waiting in the shadows such as Africa. There is much discussion of how the economic landscape has changed over the past 2 years and how the economic centre has shifted east. Quite rightly, from a self interest point of view, US politicians and businesses are concerned about the shift. Yet for the rest of the world ... is this such a bad thing?
All empires come to an end. Some are very short lived because of their own mismanagement.
And in the world today, as in every day, we live in a time of great change. There always will be a certain resistance to change. There will always be concern, even fear. Old suspicions and rivalries will always surface in times of stress - and sometimes deliberately brought to the surface by unscrupulous politicians bent on power at any cost.
But, I have to ask again, is the shift away from Americancentricity such a bad thing?
If American business is anything to go by, American politics is vicious - and not exactly what is required in times of great change and heightened stress, where nation states no longer live in the same fear of force as they used to. From what I've seen of US business it is brutal, dog eat dog, highly conflict driven, where it is the norm to make enemies instead of forging long term mutually beneficial partnerships. This most basic form of business culture lacks sophistication. It breeds mistrust. It thrives on the old business philosophy of "maximising profit at any cost" - and yes, this does mean regardless of consequences. Business is transfixed by short term gain where people and companies struggle over one another in an unseemly fight to reach that gain before anyone else. And as such companies expend a huge amount of resources running to stand still in a world where there are perceived enemies everywhere.
This is NOT smart business. For sure this is not a sustainable business model. You reap what you sow. Treating people with such disrespect can only result in one outcome.
Is the shift away from Americancentricity such a bad thing?
When Barak Obama came to power, the world breathed a sigh of relief. This was an opportunity to step away from the conflict driven politics of American imperialism, the "one superpower" plan of the previous politicians. Change was on its way and it would be a brave change. With manufactured threats, an "us and them" culture feeding an insane and out of control defence budget while at the same time an economically depressed economy with a distinct underclass, American society needed this change just as much as the rest of us. Yet, as soon became clear, American politics mirrored American business - it was engrained into the culture. It is vicious and perpetuated by self gain - at any cost. On television it was unbelievable to watch the tirade of abuse from senior US figures who were supposed to represent the best America had to offer. It was in fact shameful. And I can tell you, the world looked upon this with disbelief. This was THE moment America lost any moral high ground it had at one time claimed.
The Obama policies soon became embroiled in that type of vicious infighting that squanders resources and for sure squanders valuable and highly finite opportunity, that stagnates growth and development and allows competitors access.
Important as America is, the world needs more than this. The world needs better than this because in order to secure long term business and political growth, it needs collaboration and not more conflict. Alt3 exists to make business more sustainable. We know what we are talking about.
With an almost complete misunderstanding of the outside world, with a cascade of failed strategies born from the conflict driven and arms industry culture, America has had its chance. As a European looking from the outside in, it brings me no joy to come to this realisation. But the world really does need better than this. It needs people who can work together, who see present barriers as opportunities, not weapons.
And so to the leaders of the world, will you step up to the mark? I know which ones of you are capable. But just how brave are you? Brave enough to forge a future and have your name remembered for all the right reasons?
Regards
JS
If you don't understand the risks, how can you prepare? Can you afford to let the issues be blurred?
The turbulent 21st century
life isn't black and white