The Second World: Empires and Influence in the New Global Order (review)

[ 188 ] asia policy The Second World: Empires and Influence in the New Global Order Parag Khanna New York: Random House, 2008 • 496pp. This book explores how competition among the U.S., EU, and China is unfolding in over 40 strategic “second world” countries. main argument The U.S. shares the geopolitical stage with China and the EU—the world’s other two superpowers when measured according to economic weight, military capacity, diplomatic leverage, and strategic ambition. Globalization may lead to deeper integration among these “Big Three” but also accelerates competition among them, particularly in key second world countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The U.S. “coalition,” European “consensus,” and Chinese “consultative” styles of diplomacy demonstrate marked contrasts in these regions. Second world states, however, are not merely sites of imperial competition; rather, they are increasingly shrewd players in the geopolitical marketplace, preferring “multi-alignment” to gain benefits from each of the superpowers rather than entering into exclusive alliances. policy implications • Intensifyingregionaldynamicswillrequirediplomaticcoordinationbetween the U.S. and regional actors beyond just bilateralism; with the proliferation of regional institutions—such as the African Union, South American Community of Nations, and East Asian Community—Washington will need to adjust its foreign policy priorities and preferences. • As second world powers set their own economic course and increase cooperation with each other in matters related to security and development, multilateral institutions such as the UN, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank will lose relevance. • A “group of three” comprised of the U.S., EU, and China is the most appropriate forum for global policy coordination around issues such as counterterrorism, climate change, nation-building, poverty reduction, and energy security. • The isolation of so-called rogue states will be increasingly difficult as other superpowers and second world countries provide lifelines; far more ambitious and credible packages of benefits are needed to effect a change in regime behavior in countries such as Venezuela, Uzbekistan, Sudan, Myanmar, and Iran. ...