Is the English speaking world in decline ?

[Pegasus]

So I pose the question .

The issue here is that the US and UK have been the major forces in the english speaking world . Both have issues going on; both been hit hard by covid and both have political issues . Not sure about most of the rest of the english speaking world though Aussie has issues with a trade war with China .

[Fizzby2233]

So I pose the question .
The issue here is that the US and UK have been the major forces in the english speaking world . Both have issues going on; both been hit hard by covid and both have political issues . Not sure about most of the rest of the english speaking world though Aussie has issues with a trade war with China .

If recent event over the last several years and accelerated over the last several months is any indication I would have to say yes. Momentum has built in this direction for decades. The history of this is not written yet but it will probably look like Gibson's "Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire" or the decline of the "sun never sets on British Empire" sorting. What will fill the vacuum is another question. Do I say "Cheers" at this point?

[Pegasus]

Hmm China is rising .

[Fizzby2233]

Hmm China is rising .

And China has been gathering momentum for a while as the the West put their collective heads in the sand. That is why strong alliances are needed now more than ever. Leaders who understand we are stronger together than saying our country first. Maybe our alliance first to try to stabilize what is rapidly getting weighted in China's favor. The last four years have been a gift to China wrapped with a bow and they have run with it to immense success. It will be a seismic shock to the rest of the world for sure when they are finally "woke" to this reality.

[incogneeetoe]

It is important to note that China has a very long term orientation. While the US is stuck in the endless 2 year loop of the next election cycle, China is looking ahead at the next century.

While English has a strong foothold as the Lingua Franca of business and diplomacy, so did French and Spanish (and indeed, "Frankish"), and look where they are now in terms power. Spanish is still spoken by more people than English (as a native language), but does Spain have any influence beyond it's own borders anymore?

I've watched over the last 4 years how Asia and Africa have made a steady, but quiet, shift from US to China. The recent RCEP is just the start. China, Japan, Australia, Indonesia and South Korea (plus Singapore) all working together to make a huge FTA. India backed out, but how long before they see the way the wind is blowing.

[Pegasus]

Actually China is in a trade war with Australia their trade agreements are not worth much .

Anyone want to buy billions of dollars in Aussie product China has reneged on ?

[Johnny D]

How would you measure the decline? In many ways the US and UK certainly aren't as influential across the globe as they once were. Is that what you mean? Their influence? The strength of their currency? Potential for individuals to build wealth and enjoy freedom? Probably the sum of it all?

I guess it's hard for me to wrap my head around the question without being able to consider what the measurement is for whether things are declining.

[CUSP82]

It is China vs the US; that's just the way it is. The 2 biggest bullies on the block are heading for a showdown either economically, militarily or a combination of both. Hey they already tried the biological shit didn't they? It will come to a head one of these days and it won't be pretty.
For those that say China has been given a gift the last 4 years really have no concept of fact. China's rise began in the 90's and all American presidents allowed them to do whatever they wanted to and they did and they got away with it. Only in the last 4 years did they get any pushback. Do you think their response to the pushback was covid? Hmmm!
Now keeping alliances strong is always a good thing but they will do nothing but stand back and watch when the 2 bullies collide. They in their own interest they will happily go with the winner.

[not2big]

Following the Second World War, The US and UK had both been elevated into economic powerhouses, especially in rubber and steel. China and Japan had been reduced to minor players. Over the succeeding 50 years, they both developed into competing economic powerhouses competing for world markets. For the most part, the US has lost the steel industry and the UK has been reduced to a minor player. However, the US is not in decline and continues as an economic powerhouse, but now must compete with China and, to a lesser extent, with Japan. Competition has always been the seed of economic growth. Only time will tell which sphere of influence will gain the upper hand or perhaps continue as strong economic rivals, spurring on each other’s economy.

[Fizzby2233]

Presidents from both parties have made many missteps with regard to China. But respectful one would not have been paying attention to the failed trade war and broken alliances with allies that has allowed China to run over longstanding agreements and step into the vacuum left by America stepping away from the world stage for four years. This was indeed a gift for China that will take decades to undo. They have been busy build the empire while we have been busy creating unrest and abandoning allies.