The United States: Is It Still a Superpower?

Year 2021, , 677 - 688, 20.05.2021

İbrahim Karataş

https://doi.org/10.21076/vizyoner.810814

Abstract

The study argues that although the US power is in decline, it is still a superpower thanks to its allies, friends, economic tools like US dollar and even its adversaries. In other words, not Americans but other countries including rivals keep the US as a superpower. They have done it voluntarily since the US has the desire to act globally, and any loss in its power would cause more losses in other countries. However, particularly during the Trump administration, the US withdrew from the leadership of the like-minded countries, opening the way for China and Russia to be more active in world affairs. Besides reluctant leadership of the Trump administration, generally the U.S administration prefers confrontation to cooperation and escapes from soft landing, accelerating the end of its superpowerhood. The result, as the study argues, might be a more dangerous world order, where there is no superpower ensuring peace on the earth. Methodologically, the concept of superpowerhood is elucidated from a historical, security and international political perspective.

Keywords

United States, Unipolar System, Superpower, China, Security

Amerika Birleşik Devletleri: Hala Bir Süpergüç Mü?

Abstract

Amerika Birleşik Devletleri Soğuk Savaşın bitmesinden bu yana tek süpergüç olarak kaldı ve dünyayı tek kutuplu bir hale getirdi. İstatistiklere göre Amerika güç kaybediyor ve hemen hemen süpergüç ünvanını kaybetmek üzere. Ancak detaylı incelendiğinde gerçeklerin sanıldığından çok farklı olduğu görülebilir. Amerika, dostları, müttefikleri ve Dolar gibi ekonomik araçları sayesinde halen süpergüç olmaya devam etmektedir. Başka bir deyişle, Amerikalılardan çok rakipleri de olmak üzere diğer ülkeler Amerika’nın süpergüç olmasını sağlıyorlar. Bu sayede çok kutuplu bir dünyada tek kutupluluk devam etmektedir. Bunu gönüllü olarak yapıyorlar çünkü Amerika’nın küresel olarak hareket etmek gibi bir isteği var ve onun güç kaybetmesi diğer ülkelerde daha fazla zarara neden olabilir. Ancak bu durum Amerikan gücünün eridiğini ve dünyanın bir geçiş döneminden geçtiği gerçeklerini değiştirmiyor. Eğer Amerikan yönetimi çekişmeyi işbirliğine tercih edip yumuşak inişe razı olmasa süpergüçlük devrinin sonunu hızlandırmış olur. Tam tersi, eğer yeni şartlara adapte olursa Amerikan devrini uzatmayı başarabilir. Bu makale mezkur konuyu araştırarak ülkeler arası güç dengesinde ülkelerin birbirlerinin gücüne gönüllü veya zorunlu olarak nasıl destek vermek zorunda kaldıklarını ortaya çıkarmayı amaçlamaktadır. Makalenin yazımı için literatür taramasının yanı sıra istatistiklerden istifade edilmiştir. 

Keywords

ABD, Tek Kutuplu Sistem, Süpergüç, Çin, Güvenlik

References

• Adams, G. (2018). A new world is dawning, and the us will no longer lead it. Access address: https://theconversation.com/a-new-world-is-dawning-and-the-us-will-no-longer-lead-it-98362, (17.05.2020).
• Arms Control. (2019). Nuclear weapons: Who has what at a glance. Access address: https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/Nuclearweaponswhohaswhat, (18.08.2020).
• Bischof, G. (2009.) Empire Discourses: The ‘American Empire’ in Decline?. Kurswechsel, 2, 14-23.
• Bremmer, I. (2015). These are the 5 reasons why the US remains the world's only superpower. Access address: https://time.com/3899972/us-superpower-status-military/, (23.08.2020).
• Brooks, S. and Wohlforth, W. (2016). The once and future superpower: Why China won’t overtake the United States. Foreign Affairs, (May/June), 91-104.
• Champion, M. and Leung A. (2018). Does China have what it takes to be a superpower?. Access address: https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2018-china-superpower/, (12.09.2020).
• Cox, M. (2012). Power shifts, economic change and the decline of the west?. International Relations, 26(4), 369–388.
• Dellios, R. (2005). China: The 21st century superpower?. Access address: https://www.casaasia.es/pdf/9200595422AM1127202862621.pdf, (12.06.2020).
• Eichengreen, B.,Chitu, L. and Mehl, A. (2014). Stability or upheaval? The currency composition of international reserves in the long run. Frankfurt: European Central Bank.
• Engelhardt, T. (2018). America was in decline long before trump stepped into office. Access address: https://www.thenation.com/article/america-was-in-decline-long-before-trump-stepped-into-office/, (23.08.2020).
• Etzioni, A. (2013). The devolution of American power. The Fletcher Forum of World Affairs, 37(1), 13-34.
• Ferguson, N. (2004). A world without power. Foreign Policy, 13(July/August), 32-39.
• Fukuyama, F. (1992). The end of history and the last man. New York: Simon & Schuster.
• Huntington, S. P. (1988). The US: Decline or renewal? Foreign Affairs, 67(2), 76-96.
• IMF. (2019a). World economic outlook. Access address: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/weo, (12.09.2020).
• IMF. (2019b). Currency composition of official foreign exchange reserves. Access address: http://data.imf.org/?sk=E6A5F467-C14B-4AA8-9F6D-5A09EC4E62A4, (12.09.2020).
• Jiang, S. T. (2013). Is bipolarity a sound recipe for world order – as compared to other historically known alternatives?. Access address: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/academy/content/pdf/participant-papers/2013-acdusa/Is-Bipolarity-a-sound-recipe-for-world-order-Shiwei-Jiang.pdf, (15.09.2020).
• McClory, J. (2018). The soft power 30: A global ranking of soft power 2017. Washington: Portland PR Limited.
• Melvin, M. and Norrbin S. (2017). International money and finance. Massachusetts: Academic Press.
• Metla, V. (2015). Is the United States a superpower in decline?. Access address: https://www.lawstreetmedia.com/issues/world/united-states-superpower-decline, (24.09.2020).
• Miller, A. (2006). China an emerging superpower?. Access address: https://web.stanford.edu/group/sjir/6.1. 03_miller.html, (13.08.2020).
• Moravcsik, A. (2002). The quiet superpower. Access address: https://www.princeton.edu/~amoravcs/library/quiet.pdf, (17.08.2020).
• Moravcsik, A. (2010). Europe, the second superpower. Current History, (March), 91-98.
• Ozkan, G. (2008). Unipolar, bipolar or multipolar international system? The defense industry factor. Akademik Fener, 104-123.
• Pew Research Center. (2013). America’s global image remains more positive than China’s. Access address: https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/07/Pew-Research-Global-Attitudes-Project-Balance-of-Power-Report-FINAL-July-18-2013.pdf, ( 22.09.2020).
• Pew Research Center. (2018). Opinion of the United States. Access address: https://www.pewresearch.org/global/database/indicator/1/, (21.09.2020).
• Ping, X. and Li, W. (2015). The China model vs. American soft power: Going global and peaceful. Igusbd, 2(2), 153-170.
• Quaeri Analytics. (2016). How the United States became the leading superpower. Access address: http://www.quaeriusanalytics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/ART20-ENG-How-the-US-became-the-leading-superpower.pdf, (22.08.2020).
• Schiffer, M. (2009). The US and rising powers. Great decisions. Access address: https://www.stanleyfoundation.org/resources/US__Rising_Powers_Great_Decisions_Chapter.pdf, (01.10.2020).
• Serfaty, S. (2008). A bad war gone worse. The Washington Quarterly, 31(2), 165-179.
• Shiraev, D. and Grant, G. (2009). The case for America's continued superpower status. Cornell International Affairs Review, 2(2).
• Sipri (2019). Sipri military expenditure database. Access address: https://www.sipri.org/databases/milex, (08.08.2020).
• Uckert, M. (1995). China as an economic and military superpower: A dangerous combination?. Access address: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.173.5662&rep=rep1&type=pdf, (13.09.2020).
• Wallerstein, I. (2006). The curve of American power. New Left Review, 40(1): 1-20.
• Waltz, K. (1964). The stability of a bipolar world. Daedalus, 93(3), 881-909.
• Wolf, M. (2020). The world falls apart as the US withdraws. Access address: https://amp.ft.com/content/7309b1bd-9d91-4eb5-a75c-a29d191367de?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&__twitter_impression=true, (15.09.2020).
• Wyne, A. (2018). Is America choosing decline?. Access address: https://newrepublic.com/article/149008/america-choosing-decline, (13.08.2020).
• Yao, S. (2007). Can China really become the next superpower?. Access address: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/iaps/documents/cpi/briefings/briefing-21-china-next-superpower.pdf, (28.09.2020).
• Zakaria, F. (2012). The Post-American World. New York: Norton.