America and USA (Unilateral State Authority): An Interview with Professor Wayne Cox
Isabella Miller, External Affairs
November 16, 2021
American culture dominates many aspects of our everyday lives, whether it be media, the food and products we consume, and even our finances, as everything is compared to the American dollar. This cultural intrusion has become an accepted fact of life for societies worldwide (save for those living as nomads), but we never stop to consider how deeply we are all connected to and controlled by the United States of America. This article explores the rise and potential fall of the United States of America within global politics, with an interview providing insight from Professor Wayne Cox of Queen’s Department of Political Studies.
The end of World War II brought about a global sentiment of cooperation and a shared need for change in order to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again. The dominant global powers at the time determined that overarching institutions in which states relinquished some of their sovereignty to gain security were the best solution, modelling these institutions after the failed League of Nations. The United States of America had taken an isolationist stance throughout the majority of both wars, which meant it did not suffer from the same level of devastation that the economically defunct Europe and Asia were still recovering from. Using idealist theories of cooperation there were many institutions being created in the aftermath of World War II; the Bretton-Woods Agreement in 1944, the San Francisco Conference for United Nations in 1945, and the Marshall Plan in 1948. American dominance began through their insertion into the governance of these institutions and more. These agreements acted as a regulatory body for the global economy as the global dollar was directly tied to the American dollar, further creating economic stability through said multilateral agreements in which the United States of America economically funded the rebuilding of multiple economies.
By the 1960s, the United States of America accounted for roughly 40% of the global economy and was well established as a leading global superpower, therefore creating asymmetrical dyadic relationships within the institutions they were participating in. At this point in time the United States was clearly the hegemonic actor in international politics, a position they still maintain as of the present day. Although the Bretton-Woods Agreement has since been annulled by the United States and the Marshall Plan has transformed into separate economic agreements, the United States still maintains its position of power within the global economy and institutions, such as being the highest contributor to the United Nations.
American domination is incredibly pervasive on multiple levels globally as Western elements are present within every culture. However, their status as the hegemonic actor in the global economy has recently been questioned due to their economic decline, unstable domestic situation, as well as their reaction to international events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and retreat from Afghanistan.
Speaking on American hegemony, Professor Cox regards hegemony as the assumption that a country maintaining this status “inevitably implies domination”, whether it be over states or individuals. For this reason, he finds it difficult to make any arguments in favour of any hegemonic actor in the global scene as the goal of global stabilization is not reliant on domination and in some cases can even foster instability.
As seen through the United States’ occupation of different countries, the radicalization of locals against America’s physical military presence causes instability. This is because of the intimidation felt by these citizens, which is valid when looking at America’s history of imposing power on foreign states. This phenomenon was directly observed throughout the twenty years America was involved in Afghanistan, as many other Middle Eastern states were relieved at the removal of the threat of foreign invasion. America’s subsequent withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan has affected the global opinion of their military prowess, negatively in the eyes of their allies but positively by those who do not wish to be dominated by America. Professor Cox notes that these counterpoised opinions of the withdrawal from Afghanistan did not greatly impact America’s global standing; at most, their actions gave them a weaker appearance just as in the aftermath of their defeat during the Vietnam War.
The same cannot be said for the current state of civil disorder the United States is experiencing. Divisions within America are nothing new, explains Professor Cox, citing events such as the American Civil War, civil rights movements, segregation, and the Vietnam War, all of which divided the country. The political climate currently has been observed as one of the worst instances of polarization America has experienced, with this slippery slope being attributed by Professor Cox to the 2016 election of Donald Trump. To a political theorist, Trump’s strategy to power by creating each issue into a decisive ‘wedge issue’ was clear. The January 6th insurrection exacerbated the situation greatly to the extent that scholars see the United States at a tipping point with their civil instability. The instability of a global superpower gives an appearance of hypocrisy, states Professor Cox, as it is confusing for foreigners to view polarized situations such as the debate on COVID-19 restrictions and vaccinations coming from a country that frequently criticizes civil unrest in other countries.
Much like the feeling that they imposed on others, the United States of America has expressed that they feel as if their global position is under siege. This national sentiment can partially explain some of the division within America, as the middle and working classes are experiencing job insecurity brought on by foreign economic competition. Since the 1960s America’s standing in global production has been decreasing, especially after the 2008 market crash, while their consumption has increased immensely. This consumer model has undermined their status as an economic superpower and left many American industries vulnerable to their foreign competition, such as China. With the international opinion of the United States of America faltering as well as the development of significant foreign economies, is the American era of domination over?
Some sources believe this shift from American hegemony is entirely possible in the near future, especially when considering the economic development and expansion China has been experiencing.“…these projects [the One Belt, One Road project] leave the impression that they are part of a comprehensive drive designed to establish China as an alternative to the United States.” Professor Cox offers an alternate view of the current situation at hand, speaking to the vast number of differences between Chinese and American culture and economic models which are simply incomparable. He also notes that American hegemony did not happen overnight, but instead took three to four hundred years to establish. Although the influence of Chinese culture could grow exponentially in the long term, he believes for the time being America will retain their position as the leader of the international stage. Right now, it is unknown if there is a clear outcome for either the United States or the international order, but as emphasized by Professor Cox and other scholars of international relations, a change is necessary as there are no good outcomes to an unstable global model.