Presentation by

Matthew Seymour

Hist 5 Online

Professor Arguello

The European UnionKhanna describes the EU as the first, & arguably the most unique world superpower today.The EU is the only world power to expand by having nations apply to join, all others expand by force or coercion.Khanna believes the EU must not stop growing if it is to remain a potent world power.The questions it faces today is where and when will its expansion cease?

It’s frontier is now the Ukraine, the Balkans, and Turkey. Will the EU limit itself to just Europe geographically? To just Christian nations? Will it expand across to other world regions, include other ethnicities, other cultures, and other religions?

Questions of EU ExpansionOf particular concern to EU expansion is its encroachment upon territory coveted by Russia. These are namely the Ukraine and the Caucus nations, although the Balkans and Turkey also form potential future EU members.

Khanna argues that the EU would have to out maneuver Russia in the battle to control some of the former soviet satellite states.

Russian political and economic interest run high in such nations, so the EU would have to overcome their influence by helping them with better investment, and encouraging political & social stability.

China: the Newest Imperial PowerChinas recent booming economy and population growth far exceeded what anyone had expected. As such, it has risen to become the newest Imperial power, stretching its influence much farther than its ancient dynastic empires ever dreamed.

Chinas money & its people have been poring into a number of countries, harnessing great influence for China’s government across the world.

They invest billions into multi-national corporations, funding other nations massive building projects (such as the updating of Panama’s canal), owning oilrigs in other continents, among many other things.

SCO: The NATO of the EastChina heads the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the same way that the United States heads NATO. It is an international organization based on mutual alliance in military, economy, & cultural integration.

China funds many industries in central Asian countries and fluxes its power of influence upon their governments and helps settle disputes, usually in their favor.

It is China’s intent to reincorporate this region into its influence to regain control of the legendary “Silk Road” which would once again gain it control over a highly valuable trading route.

The United StatesThe focus of Khanna’s theory about the US is on the Monroe Doctrine, which simply put says the US will not let other imperial powers meddle with any American nation.

Khanna reviews the history of US involvement in Latin America, finding it to largely be unsuccessful at incorporating it into any form of imperial rule.

He argues that South America is certainly up for grabs for any of the world super-powers who flex enough of their form of influence, but the proximity to the US certainly gives them the edge.

South American Success?Particular Emphasis is given to South America by Khanna. He reviews several nations including Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, & Chile.Venezuela has enough oil to supply all of the America, but the country is so poorly managed that many societal issues persist, although gas is cheaper there than any where else in the world.Brazil has the most territory, the most diversity, and the most undeveloped land in the whole continent. The latter is a result of the rain forest, a valuable resource in and of itself.He focuses on the potential of Chile, however, praising the recent presidency of Michelle Bachelet, who has turned her nation around, depsite its limited land and resources.