Loosening its centuries-long stranglehold on power, the West’s once-unshakeable hegemony now teeters on the brink of collapse, its crumbling facade revealing a complex web of exploitation and exceptionalism.
The Western hegemony has been a dominant force shaping international politics, culture, and economics for much of the contemporary era. Rooted in the colonial expansion of European powers including the reign of the British Empire to later reinforced by the rise of the US after WWII, this hegemony established the West as the primary arbiter of global affairs. However, the foundations of Western hegemony have been eroding over the past few decades. Global politics is witnessing a shift in power dynamics that signals the decline of Western hegemony, influenced by shafting economic landscapes, the rise of new global actors such as China, India, and ASEAN countries, and the redefinition of global influence.
Historical Context
The Western hegemony was solidified in the aftermath of the WWII. The collapse of the European colonial empires such as the Dutch Empire, Danish Empire, British Empire, and Belgian Empire, subsequently the establishment of the Bretton Woods institutions (the IMF, World Bank, and GATT), and the emergence of the Soviet Union and the US set the stage for the new global order largely dominated by the West. Western values such as private ownership of means of production (capitalism), limited government (liberal democracy), and the protection of human rights became the blueprint for developing nations looking to develop and modernize like the West. The Cold War period (1945-1991) further entrenched the West’s global influence, as the U.S.-led ideology and alliance system not only staved off the spread of communism across Europe and Asia but also positioned the West as the protector of global stability.
The end of the Cold War in 1991 brought about a unipolar world, where the US emerged as the sole superpower. This brief period of unchallenged dominance by the US saw the expansion of intergovernmental military alliances such as NATO, the rise of global institutions like the IMF, World Bank, and WTO, and the spread of capitalism and free-market policies under the banner of globalization. Many distinguished political scientists including Francis Fukuyama, even predicted the “End of History,” suggesting that Western-led capitalism and liberal democracy had triumphed over rival ideologies.
Economic Shifts and the Rise of New Powers
The first major cracks in the facade of Western hegemony appeared with the economic rise of non-Western powers, particularly China, and the resurgence of Russia. China has experienced unprecedented economic growth Since the 1980s, transforming itself into the world’s second-largest economy coupled with growing military and political assertiveness, hence challenging Western hegemony in Asia and beyond. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which seeks to develop substandard infrastructure and foster bilateral trade across Asia, Africa, and Europe is a direct challenge to Western-led institutions like the World Bank and the IMF. Similarly, Russia’s assertiveness in its backyard such as its annexation of Georgia (2008), Crimea (2014), and Ukraine (2022), its rapprochement with Pakistan, growing trade relations with China, and the membership of BRICS and the SCO have posed serious threats to Western dominance.
Moreover, other emerging developing economies, such as Brazil and India along with other nations in the Global South, have also gained significant influence on the global stage since the start of the 21st century by questioning the legitimacy of Western-centric institutions like the World Bank and United Nations Security Council where Western powers still hold disproportionate sway through its P5 membership. Additionally, the severity of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC) since the Great Depression marked a pivotal moment in the decline of Western economic dominance. The GFC affected several Western countries such as Russia, Ireland, Romania, Hungary, and Ukraine exposing the vulnerabilities of the Western-led financial system. While Western economies struggled to recover, China and other emerging markets including ASEAN managed to maintain steady growth.
Geopolitical Rebalancing and the Decline of U.S. Influence
In the geopolitical arena, the unipolar moment of U.S. dominance has steadily given way to a multipolar world. The U.S.’s military interventions in Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003), which were meant to consolidate its American-led world order, instead revealed the limits of Western hegemony. The wars in the Middle East after the Arab Spring (2011) drained U.S. financial resources, damaged its worldwide reputation, and contributed to widespread incessant instability in the region. The rise of China and the resurgence of Russia as strategic competitors have further challenged and diminished the U.S. influence. The growing military presence of China in the South China Sea (SCS), its ambitious space program and continuous development in this context, and its efforts to build alliances in Latin America and Africa have positioned it as a credible challenger to U.S. hegemony. Simultaneously, Russia, under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, has sought to reassert itself as a global power, most notably through its annexation of Georgia in 2008, Crimea in 2014, and its military intervention in Syria in 2015. Moreover, Sino-Russia strategic cooperation, particularly in forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), further undermines Western-led global governance.
The U.S.’s continuous retreat from several international agreements, such as the Paris Climate Accord and Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCOPA), has also weakened its inclusive standing on the global stage. Under the leadership of former President Donald Trump, the U.S. adopted a more isolationist stance, alienating from its conventional allies and undermining multilateralism. This shift has opened the door for Russia and China, to step into leadership roles in areas such as global financial trade and climate change-related initiatives.
Cultural and Ideological Challenges to Western Dominance
Cultural and ideological challenges have also become more pronounced to Western hegemony. The spread of Western values, particularly human rights, liberal democracy, and capitalism, has faced increasing resistance from authoritarian regimes and the one-party system of China and Russia that offer alternative models of governance. The state-capitalist system of China, which combines massive economic growth with strict political control over media, has been touted by Beijing as a possible viable alternative to Western liberalism. Similarly, the promotion of Russia’s conservative values and its emphasis on territorial sovereignty and non-interference challenge the Western emphasis on democracy promotion and human rights.
The West’s own internal struggles have also undermined its ideological leadership. The rise of populist governments in Europe in general and the United States in particular, moreover Brexit, and the erosion of democratic norms have highlighted the massive fragility of Western political systems. The January 6th, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by the support of former president Donald Trump’s supporter, for instance, was a stark reminder that even the heart of Western democracy is not immune to instability. These events have ultimately tarnished the image of Western governance, making it difficult for Western nations to claim the moral high ground in international affairs.
The Future of Global Power Dynamics
The fading facade of Western-led order does not necessarily mean the complete collapse of Western influence. Europe in general and the United States in particular still maintain significant military, economic, and cultural power. However, the nature of global power is changing. The future is likely to be characterized by a more multipolar world unlike the unipolar world order, where Western powers must share influence with emerging actors like India, China, and Brazil. In this new global order, competition and cooperation will coexist. The Western powers will need to adapt to a world where they can no longer unilaterally dictate the terms of global governance. This cooperation will require reforms to global institutions, greater engagement with non-Western nations, and a willingness to embrace multilateralism.
