THE SECOND WORLDMike ChristensenProfessor Arguello

July 31, 2010

DEPENDENCE ON EACHOTHER• I found it interesting throughout the book that Khanna shows how not only are

third and second world countries dependent on superpowers for growth and innovation but that superpowers are also dependent on lesser developed countries

• Without the alliances of under developed nations, the superpowers of the world today would be limited to only the national resources, capital, and work force that are within their boundaries

• By aligning with under developed countries, a 1st world super power such as the United States can benefit through cheap trade. It is often the under developed country that is eager to work with the superpower, giving the well developed nation an upper hand by simply “lending a hand” and helping another nation develop itself.

The Expansion of Europe• I found it interesting that Parag Khanna basically says that world economic stability

depends on the expansion of the European Union to the rest of Europe, particularly to the most far eastern states– Even though I hadn’t previously thought of it before, it makes sense that the

expansion of Europe would affect world economic stability– Khanna put it simply, if the capitalistic European Union does not extend its

power and influence to the rest of Europe, problem plagued areas such as Russia and Central Asia may• As far as Western society goes, we have seen the devastation that can

occur due to the influences of the wrong regimes and governments• If our world is going to continue increasing

economically, the economic superpowers of the world must use their influence to gain the following of most, if not all, of the emerging nations of the world.

Future of the United States• Before reading The Second World, I would have thought that a prominent

geopolitical expert would express pessimism toward the future of the United States. After all, all empire must come to an end right?

– To some, the United States as a world superpower is on the decline; the dollar is no longer the strongest currency, the EU is quickly becoming the economic capitol of the world, and most of all, anti-Americanism is on the rise

– But Parag Khanna says that America is not on a downward trend, but merely a trend to realign itself to where it should be

– Parag argues that if America makes the right decisions in politics and public policy, it will continue to be a superpower in the world and will no longer be called an overstretched, underachieving imperial nation.

The Demise of the Iraqi State• In sections dealing with the Middle East, Parag Khanna argues that due to

political and social unrest, the Iraqi state may become deteriorated and a new state may come in its place– He predicts that the wilderness dwelling Kurds who have long been

oppressed in Iraq will rise to power and create a new nation state– He believes that because of the Kurds’ willingness to work with

foreigners including the United States, they will gain foreign support and everyone will benefit through new oil trade and industry

– I found this particularly interesting because off the theories about Iraq’s future that I have heard, I haven't come across any that discuss the nation state essentially being torn down in a metaphorical way, and rebuilt completely new

The Failing Russian State• Since the fall of the Soviet Union, no one would argue that Russia’s

economy, infrastructure, and all around society have been in shambles– One thing that many people do disagree on, is the future that Russia holds for itself– The promient theory is that Russia is on the rebound, it still has a huge military force and

globalization has allowed its capital to become one of the wealthiest and trendiest cities in the world

– But Parag Khanna argues that the military or even economic situation of Russia is not what is foretelling of its future, but the demographics are

– Khanna claims that Russia is in a “demographic freefall” claiming that the Russian population is growing older, unhealthier, and is now spread wider within its borders than ever before

– With the ailing condition of its population and its ever decreasing infrastructure, Parag claims that within a number of years Russia will become much smaller as a nation both on the economic map as well as the geographical map