World Bank presidents have traditionally been American. But if there is a major change in the institutional set-up, this position would more likely be occupied by an Asian, African or Latin American, chosen on ability rather than nationality.
Moreover, Washington’s ability to shape other countries in its own image would be severely eroded. Washington seems to be in the habit of meddling in the internal affairs of other countries through imposing sanctions and stirring up civil strife in the name of human rights and democracy, as in the case of Libya and Syria.
The US would no longer be confident that waving a tiny bottle of powder at the UN Security Council convinced the world that invasion of another sovereign country is justified. Human right violations would become a detestable excuse to wage war against countries that Washington deems in the way of its geostrategic objectives.
US is a destructive force for the rules-based global economic order
US is a destructive force for the rules-based global economic order
In the event of a collapse of its beloved international order, the US would have to trash its everybody-but-me approach and observe international rules as other countries do. It may also be forced to respect the opinions of other nations so that every country is equal before the international law.
Obviously, such a transformation would be extremely painful for Washington. However, wouldn’t Washington’s loss be a gain for the developing world?
In essence, Washington’s rules-based international order equates to its global hegemonic position. It runs contrary to the fundamental interests of the Global South, who desire a fairer international order, not one designed to maintain the West’s entrenched privileges. This inevitably places Washington on a collision course with the developing world.
Zhou Xiaoming is a senior fellow at the Centre for China and Globalisation in Beijing and a former deputy representative of China’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office in Geneva