The Post American World

Written By Fareed Zakaria

By Shaqona Payne
World History

American may admire beauty, but they are truly dazzled by bigness. (Zakaria, 100) The
novel written by Fareed Zakaria discuss the Post-American World order which is emerging in
the United States of America which will continue to be the most powerful nation but its relative
power will be diminished. The author of the book Fareed Zakaria believes that there have been
three power shifts in the last 500 years, a shift of power to the West during the Renaissance, a
shift of power to the US making it a superpower, and now a shift to several surging countries,
especially China and India, and to non-governmental organizations as he discuss in the book.
Zakaria wrote: We are now living through the third great power shift of the modern era.
It could be called the rise of the rest. (Zakaria, 2) What does he mean by the rise of the rest?
What factors are responsible for the rise of the rest? In what ways did America contribute to
the rise of the rest? Zakaria states that this book is not about the decline of America but rather
about the rise of everyone else. Looking at America today the subprime crises, you have two

wars that are difficult including the war on terror .Zakaria believes that this happing for a reason
which is allowing other countries to thrive for a more stable world. The economic growth of
China, India, Brazil and many other countries are the risen in which reshaped the world.
Therefore the biggest dams, largest selling movies and the tallest building are all being built
outside of America. This growth is producing political confidence, national pride, and potential
international problems. However, America will retain a prominent position in military and also
educationally, but there are a number of ways in which the rest have already risen. The rise of
the Great Nations, clearly designed as an act of public education. (Zakaria 120) Early
enlightenment thinkers celebrated Confucianism for its reliance on reason rather than on divinity
as a guide. Some countries that are at the rise have successfully produced a social peace and a
well organized social hierarchy.
Advanced communication had made a drastic increase in technology which
provided instantaneous access to global disorder; statistics indicate academia argues that today
we are living in the most peaceful time in our existence. (Zakaria 9) The rise of capitalism
increased demands created by the rising nations is resulting in sustained economic booms.
Productivity rises while prices fall and lower interest rates. The focus of education and retaining
their most intelligent motivated and creative citizens so the other nations can compete the global
market.
According to Zakaria, what are the biggest challenges facing American society and
economy today? Identify and analyze them. State where you agree with Zakaria and where you
disagree. Back up your arguments with facts and data. America today is in a finical, economic,
and political crisis which is leading to the uprising of other nations. The challenges and
opportunities for the American economy, and the nature of the new global geopolitics are on the

financial crisis and its effects. I still believe that the challenge for all of us in the twenty-first
century will be to live and prosper in this new and very different world, Zakaria stated during
his interview with CNN. I strongly agree with Zakaria because I have personally seen over the
years the decline of America. Over the years I have seen unnecessary wars, corporate tax
loopholes, money in politics, inequalities in public education and Medicare become more of an
issue in todays society.
Does Zakaria think that Americas challenges are insurmountable? If not, what does he
prescribe as solutions? Identify and analyze them, again stating where you agree or disagree with
his prescriptions. Back up your own argument with facts and data. No, Zakaria does not at all
think that the challenges faced by the US are insurmountable. He is actually fairly optimistic
about America, convinced that it can prosper in this new world and remain one of the most
powerful countries in todays world. He does believe that America economy continues to have
great strengths. America consumers have rebuilt their balances sheets, somewhat the savings rate
has gone from near zero to over 3.5 percent , corporations are flushed with cash Zakaria had
shared Once again I agree with Zakaria, even though America has their own issue this is only a
phase in which they can overcome. So, yes I do agree with Zakaria over the years America has
increasingly been trying to make positive changes economically. The typical American slogan is
"Produce more, earn more and have more. This fondness for something big is reflected in every
walk of the American life.
Zakaria made a clear understanding of his personal thoughts of rapidly changes in
landscaping. With his customary lucidity, insight, and imagination, he draws on lesson from the two
great power shifts of the past five hundred years, the rise of the Western world and the rise of the
Unites States to tell us what we can expect from the third shift, the rise of the rest. Britain and
America being the great challenge was a major economic and poltical decline for as others have
grown in importance the central role of the United Sates especially in the ascendant emerging
markets has already begun to shrink. Zakaria argues that Washington need to begin a serious

transformation of its global strategy, moving from its tradition role of dominating hegemon to that
of a more pragmatic, honest broker. To define the global agenda, must seek to share power and
create coalitions and build legitimacy according to Zakaria.

In conclusion I was very enlightened by the views that Mr. Fareed Zakaria shared on the
rise of the rest. However there are a lot of political issue that are going on in todays society that
I am not fully aware of. While reading this novel some very interesting points have been clearly
made by Zakaria, that the central issue for the emerging new world order is how a stronger China
will use its power. Zakaria who is originally from India, he sees India as America's natural ally in
spite of their clear differences. He defiantly seems to have a positive view about the European
Union. This is only a start that in which he tells something about where he thinks the future will
lies.