World affairs
It is not possible to know what will happen in the future but analysts can make predictions based on the current and previous state of global affairs. In the recent past, the US, as a country, has gone through a lot of challenges particularly economic challenges which leave doubt as to whether the country is able to maintain its leading role in shaping future trends. For a long time now, the US has been known to be a game changer due to the degree in which it has been able to dominate international systems. This paper develops a discussion on the emerging issues in homeland security, how various actors are able to respond to these issues, and policy actions for addressing the issues.
There are a number of issues of concern which determine the level of US involvement in global affairs. Such issues include: severe pandemic, rapid change of climate, possible collapse of the EU, possible democratization of China, reformed Iran, possible nuclear war and cyber terrorism, geomagnetic storms affecting satellites, and disengagement of the US in maintaining international order. The US is at a cross roads due to the fact that its western partners are facing similar challenges. There is wide spread decline of the economy in western countries. All the members of the G7 countries are western nations except for Russia. The power exhibited by the US under G7 was the strong alliances it formed with other powerful western nations. However, it is projected that in the near future, power will not only depend on strong alliances but other facets reflecting on a number of issues.
One of the biggest issues of concern to the Homeland security is stiff economic challenges. The US economy is still yet to fully recover from the financial crisis of 2008. China on the other hand is expanding rapidly and projected to overtake the US economy based on current state data. The cost of healthcare in US is among the most expensive in OECD countries. The cost of healthcare is expected to increase over the next few years as number of senior citizens increased. The education advantage of the country has largely reduced especially in high school education. US workers are among the highest paid compared to other countries. However, a decline in educational advantage could imply that reduced output by future labors due to mediocre skills.
The US currently enjoys technological advantage due to its leadership in internet communication and social networking. The internet further has the power to boost the non state actors. This implies that the technological power of the US will need to be reinforced in order to have strong affiliates, friends, and outside networks to support some of its agendas. In order to offer leadership and sustaining its game changer role, the country will engage in contrastive demeanor, diplomatic skills, and enmeshment. Technology is constantly changing with major focus on data solutions, social networking, and smart city technology. The matters of concern when it comes to technology include speed of data being utilized by organizations and security and privacy issues in social networks. There will be a growing trend in development of software and hardware programs to handle large volume of data.
In addition to the technological advantage, maintaining leadership will further require the US to be involved in the management of international crises. This has been one of its major functions in global affairs as countries in the international community would seek for the opinion and support of the US during major crises. The US stands a chance to play the role of a balancer or ensuring regional stability threatened by conflicting nations.
The US currency is however losing its ground as a global reserve currency. This could have serious political and economical implication to the country, threatening its leadership in calling the shots and managing global affairs. Nonetheless, it is highly unlikely for the US is to be replaced as the leading global power house based on the current projections. It is difficult for any country to assume the current and previous position played by the US in world. The scenario is less plausible and practical at this particular time. Although many emerging power nations are keen to play a leading position in multilateral institutions, they still fail to offer any competing vision. This implies that if the US is to be replaced as a game changer in world affairs, there is likely to be a long period of global anarchy.
Many countries are markets are characterized by extremes, implying the dominance of inequality. In effect, there is wide spread social and political tension. The inequality also exists in regional markets and structures such as the EU. Some countries do extremely well while others hang in the periphery and sometimes forced to leave. Studies have established that there is no single market in the EU that functions perfectly. The US enjoys advantage in energy independence. Energy is a critical area of global concern as it affects all industries. Even though other countries produce energy which supports global economy, there is usually internal conflict, declining energy prices, failure to make economic diversification in good time before shifting reliance on energy production. For instance, there are a number of cities and regions in China that continue to thrive. However, there is widespread inequality that splits parties.
Another major advantage to the US global leadership role is the non state world. Key actors such as wealthy individuals, academic institutions, multinational corporations, and nongovernmental organizations are currently confronting global challenges from the front. They take initiatives that were done by governments before. Some of these non state actors have more money than governments in addition to being highly influential due to their impact in the world. They address global challenges such as rapid climatic change, poverty, anti corruption among others.
Many of these non state actors have their origin in the US. Majority of the multinational corporations are US based despite regarding themselves to have a global identity. The advantage comes when the US government uses its influence to arrange for partnership between non state and state actors to address issues and challenges of global concern.
Recommendations
The US still remains among the most flexible, innovative, and free countries albeit the decline of its weight in the global economy. The US boasts a lot of power advantages such as leading universities in the world, patent applications, multinational corporations and institutions. All these aspects are likely to ensure the US dominance and influence in global affairs continues for the next three decades. The country has an unusual ability to attract the best brains and experts from different parts of the world and integrate them in to their culture. In the energy sector, the US holds among the largest oil reserves in the world. The country imports energy from other energy producing countries but keeps its own untouched.
The current trend suggest that in the next one decade, there will be several equally powerful nations as countries such as China will have joined the ranks of US. However, even as other nations join its ranks, the US is expected to remain the first among equals. The government needs to come up with policies that will ensure no shift in global leadership.
The main area of focus should be on soft powers where the US capitalizes on small opportunities to increase its power over emerging super powers such as China and India. The US has a strong ability to bring people from different parts of the world together, integrate them into their culture, and inspire them to bring out their best. Majority of these immigrants attracted to the country are most talented, most intelligent, and best skilled individuals from their countries of origin. Maintain strong policy on this group of immigrants is likely to ensure a continuation of their role in global leadership.
Additionally, the country should focus its attention on internet, technology, social networking, and mobile communication. These areas are likely to dictate future trends in the use of technology. The world today appreciates and embraces technology. Offering leadership in technology has both social and economic influence. It is possible for the US to maintain its leadership role in global affairs however the degree in which it will dominate will vary. Reaching out to rivals in the East will be key to solving challenges and threats.
References
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Koyama, K. (2007). Prospects for international oil market and crude oil prices in 2008. Japan: The institue for energy economics .
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Tully, C. J. (2003). Growing Up in Technological Worlds: How Modern Technologies Shape the Everyday Lives of Young People. Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society, 23(6):444-456.
