The Decline of the West, and How to Stop It
WASHINGTON — For most of the last 70 years, the United States, Canada and much of Europe have constituted a vast zone of peace, prosperity and democracy. The trans-Atlantic community has grown to over 900 million inhabitants of more than 30 countries. It has set an example for regional cooperation in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia, and served as a mainstay of the liberal world order. That achievement is in jeopardy. The bonds within Europe have been fraying for some time, but this year has been the worst yet. Last month, Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Union’s highest official, said that the union faced “an existential crisis.” Meanwhile, America’s two major parties have soured on trade agreements with Europe and Asia. Donald J. Trump has welcomed Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, derided American allies and hailed an authoritarian leader, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, who fears and tries to undermine Western solidarity. Given these pressures, the year ahead may determine whether the West can overcome its current troubles. A vital lesson of the modern era is that internationalism has stabilized the world, while lapses into bellicose nationalism have wreaked havoc. Continue reading the main story RECENT COMMENTS Cathy October 20, 2016 I was hoping this article would be more insightful on dealing with the citizens concerns of globalization..instead most of it was a rehash... Celt the Dog October 20, 2016 Instead of reproducing themselves, westerners have instead allowed their nations to be flooded with aliens from cultures not merely inimical... William Smallshaw October 20, 2016 The definition of insanity is to continue to do the same thing yet expect different results. Mr. Talbert seems to believe we just need to... SEE ALL COMMENTS The aftermath of World War I was a series of follies and failures: the Carthaginian peace of Versailles, the ineptitude of the League of Nations, the Great Depression and the emergence of totalitarianism. Together, they made a second conflagration all but inevitable.
