The Inevitability of India
Abstract
Believing a hegemonic United States can reign indefinitely into the future is brassily self-defeating, for it fails to account for what happens to America -- long accustomed to its position as first among all -- when it one day discovers that it is, again, one among many. If anything, the "end of history" is little more than a pause, a time for course correction, to a future security environment dominated not by the United States but instead by counterbalancing distributions of political, economic, and military power. How the United States manages its own relative descent will mark how relevant it remains in world affairs; such a transition, therefore, represents a key strategic imperative. In this instance, recognizing the emergence of the most likely and most dangerous threat -- manifested by the rise of China -- necessitates an equally important evaluation of America's unfolding opportunities. The emergence of India is as auspicious as it is inevitable, and the extent to which the United States can facilitate its ascension as a primary strategic partner may help describe how successful America is in securing its national interests in a future, multipolar world.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 20, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA463229
Entities
People
- G. T. Puntney
Organizations
- Naval War College