Asia's Rise, America's Demise? | Asia Society Skip to main content
  • Back to asiasociety.org
  • Visit
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Health and Safety
    • Garden Court Café
    • Leo Bar
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Family Events
    • Past Events
    • Event Recaps
    • Space Rental
  • Exhibitions
    • Current Exhibitions
    • Upcoming Exhibitions
    • Touring Exhibitions
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Learn
  • Support
    • Membership
    • Become a Patron
    • Corporate Support
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
  • About
    • About Asia Society
    • Our People
    • Contact Us
  • Blog
    • All Posts
    • Event Recaps
    • On Asia Blog
  • Video
    • All New York Videos
    • Arts
    • Current Affairs
    • Education
    • Policy
  • Space Rental
  • Shop
New York
Search
asiasociety.org
New York
Search
  • Visit
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Health and Safety
    • Garden Court Café
    • Leo Bar
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Family Events
    • Past Events
    • Event Recaps
    • Space Rental
  • Exhibitions
    • Current Exhibitions
    • Upcoming Exhibitions
    • Touring Exhibitions
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Learn
  • Support
    • Membership
    • Become a Patron
    • Corporate Support
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
  • About
    • About Asia Society
    • Our People
    • Contact Us
  • Blog
    • All Posts
    • Event Recaps
    • On Asia Blog
  • Video
    • All New York Videos
    • Arts
    • Current Affairs
    • Education
    • Policy
  • Space Rental
  • Shop

  • All Posts
  • Event Recaps
  • On Asia Blog

Asia's Rise, America's Demise?

Parag Khanna's The Second World: Empires and Influence in the New Global Order and William H. Overholt's Asia, America, and the Transformation of Geopolitics.

NEW YORK, April 30, 2008 - The growing influence of China, India, and other Asian nations raises a number of questions regarding the United States' role in an ever-changing geopolitical environment. The Asia Society hosted Parag Khanna, author of The Second World: Empires and Influence in the New Global Order, and William H. Overholt, author of Asia, America, and the Transformation of Geopolitics to discuss whether Asia's increased sphere of influence was coming at the expense of America's. The program was moderated by Robert Lane Greene, international correspondent for The Economist.

Citing Asia's current rise, Overholt argued that it was only after nations relinquished the traditional concept of empire that they started to develop as economic powers. By focusing on domestic issues, he continued, Asian countries ensured the growth of their own economies, though this sometimes came at the loss of geopolitical influence. Khanna added that fears of Chinese "colonialism" are misplaced, as globalization and its accompanying transparency will prevent any repeat of 19th century-style colonialism in Africa or elsewhere.

An audience member asked what might inhibit China's further progress, despite its consistent rise as a world power and economy. Both panelists concurred that China's environmental problems, which are unprecedented amongst any nation in the world today, remain enormous obstacles to its continued growth. However, the Chinese government's willingness to challenge this hindrance was encouraging, and according to Overholt, the country's continued rapid economic growth will almost certainly enable the necessary technological solutions. In contrast, Khanna argued that India lacks a clear vision for combating many of its problems, and faces enormous structural impediments to its development.

Panelists:
Parag Khanna, Director, Global Governance Initiative, New America Foundation; author, The Second World: Empires and Influence in the New Global Order
William Overholt, Director, RAND Center for Asia Pacific Policy; author, Asia, America, and the Transformation of Geopolitics

Moderator:
Robert Lane Greene, International Correspondent, The Economist

Listen on Demand (1 hr., 31 min.)

Your browser does not support the audio element.
  • All Posts
  • Event Recaps
  • On Asia Blog
We Know Asia,
Get to Know Us

Visit Us

  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas

Global Network

  • Australia
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, DC

Resources

  • Arts
  • Asia Blog
  • ChinaFile
  • Current Affairs
  • Education
  • For Kids
  • Policy
  • Video

Shop

  • AsiaStore

Initiatives

  • Arts & Museum Summit
  • Asia 21 Young Leaders
  • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Society Museum: The Asia Arts & Museum Network
  • Asia Society Policy Institute
  • Center for Global Education
  • Center on U.S.-China Relations
  • China Learning Initiatives
  • Coal + Ice
  • Creative Voices of Muslim Asia
  • Global Cities Education Network
  • Global Learning Beyond School
  • Global Talent Initiatives
  • Int'l Studies Schools Network
  • U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit
  • U.S.-China Dialogue
  • U.S.-China Museum Summit

About Asia Society

  • Mission & History
  • Our People
  • Become a Member
  • Career Opportunities
  • Corporate Involvement

Connect

  • Email Signup
  • For the Media

©2021 Asia Society | Privacy Statement | Accessibility | About AsiaSociety.org | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap | Contact

Asia Society takes no institutional position on policy issues and has no affiliation with any government.
The views expressed by Asia Society staff, fellows, experts, report authors, program speakers, board members, and other affiliates are solely their own. Learn more.

 

 

  • Visit Us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
  • Global Network
  • Australia
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, DC