(also posted on my blog, the
thedemoprotestant.com)
The evolution of the political order of our world is the progression toward greater unity across greater space. This is sometimes achieved by peaceful means, such as in the case of the American Union of States, the EU, and the United Nations. Sometimes unions are forced by violent conquest, such as in the case of the Roman Empire, Napoleon, or Fascism.
The evolution toward greater political order is achieved diplomatically or by the advancement of technologies. Transportation and communication allow for cultures to diffuse and for peaceful trading of resources between nations.
As political unification, communication, and transportation move the world toward greater hegemony, the last barriers dividing mankind will be geographic barriers. The last obstacle to ground transportation and electronic communication are the oceans, which will be the final barrier dividing cultures.
In the future, European, Middle Eastern, and Asian nations will move toward greater cooperation because they can trade with one another easily, via rail, road, and pipeline. The cultures of Eurasia will quickly diffuse with one another.
North America, on the other hand, will be separated from this unification because it is its own continent. America is an island, separated from Eurasia by the oceans.
Eurasia is much larger than North America. In the next couple centuries it will become several times more powerful than the US. America will become a different place in the near future.
As Eurasia becomes more unified, it will become the center and standard for culture and civilization. Eurasia benefits from not being divided by a body of water, trade can be done easily over land. The strong cultural foundation of Europe, and Asia's fast economic and scientific advancement, will be a powerful motive for the two powers to unite as partners. America must be mindful of maintaining peaceful relations with the EU and Asia.
In light of this situation, America can gain an advantage by serving as the alternative culture. In the same way that it began, with religious pilgrims seeking a place to practice their alternative religion, America will once again become a home for those who practice unorthodox religions, a place for homosexuals, a place for people who practice unconventional social relations, and a place for criminals to escape punishment. Eurasia will become the status quo and it will grow more conservative and more rigidly policed. America can provide an alternative culture to what will become the new superpower.
America should not fail at this destiny, but it is in danger of losing this future advantage. Today politicians are trying to create a completely different America. They want to make America an exclusive, socially conservative, and intolerant place. Politicians are seeking to close America's borders, limit immigration, limit the rights of alternative cultures, and attempt to institute religious hegemony.
The best thing for America to do today is to adapt a very socially liberal attitude, open up its borders to foreign skill and talent, and make America the place where people can start anew.
From its creation, America has been the land of the rejects. Tolerance has allowed it to function and prosper.
The goals which politicians are seeking today are the worst objectives one can wish for America. Conservatism will be looked back upon by Americans with the same disdain as there is for Fascism.
America should also become more economically liberal. There should be more safety nets and more social programs.
To remain strong, America has to be unified. This is not going to happen when everyone is trying to profit from one another at any cost.
Libertarianism is a very dangerous ideology. If America became libertarian, everyone would be isolated. People will build barbed-wire fences around their houses to protect themselves. There will be no more public spaces like parks or town squares. The rich will have their own armies and they will be able to do anything they wish to the poor people. They will be able to use the poor for medical testing, they may even hunt them for fun, as human rights will be difficult to enforce. Libertarianism will only help the very rich and the hermetic radicals who are advocating it today.
American politics need to take a different route and adapt more social reforms. A humane society has to have morality and values.
The presented situation may seem a simplistic prediction since it does not include the South Hemisphere.
The map below highlights areas with the highest populations and with the climates most suitable to humans.
The areas with moderate climates in the North Hemisphere are what is today the US, Europe and the area around China. In the South Hemisphere, the areas with moderate climates are South Latin America, South Africa, and parts of Australia.
In the future the political order of Eurasia and North America will fight for influence over these three regions in the South Hemisphere, which are separated from each other by oceans and separated from the North Hemisphere by deserts and water.
America should do its best to restore relations with the rest of the world. America should not alienate itself, as it is already an island.