A World Without Superpower

Niall Ferguson has an interesting essay about a possible world where America retreats from its position of hyperpower to leave a political scene where no one dominates. It's a pretty dire place.

Ferguson makes some compelling projections about what could happen soon, but even he is forced to admit that there have only been two periods in 2000 years of history where the world was without some kind of power at the top. Far more likely in the short run is a world of several regional powers, with wars on their edges and chaos in the forgotten parts.

Ferguson also notes the coming decline of Europe into either senescence or Eurabia.

It's a good and thought-provoking essay.