Daniel Fasnacht, 8 February 2024
After having published four books, preliminary focusing on innovation and ecosystem leadership, this is an attempt to explain the shift of geopolitical power.
Imagine a leader from a far-off galaxy who has traversed the vast expanse of space and arrived on Earth. The mission? To engage in dialogue with our planet’s boss. But who would that be?
In a fragmented world, selecting Earth’s representative would be a challenge. While President Joe Biden of the United States may not clearly understand (or perhaps forgets) whether he could be the world’s leading authority, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz would also likely be the wrong person to discuss the world’s issues. Germany, marked by its history, has a long past with kings and two attempts at achieving world domination but is currently grappling with rampant right-wing extremism, depression, and bureaucracy. The economic and innovation power in Germany is declining, attributed to exaggerated socialism, a focus on gender issues, and ecological aspirations: Germans wish to work less and earn more. If their dreams are rejected, they strike or glue themselves to the street. Explaining this, as well as the military history and current situation, to the intergalactic leader would probably not be straightforward. While Biden seems uncertain of his origins and direction, Scholz resembles a fax machine: perceived as necessary, yet its purpose remains unclear.
Could India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi be the one representing Earth’s manners? Unlikely, India is the largest country by population, but its GDP per capita is as small as that of Ivory Coast and Papua New Guinea. And honestly, the religious issues would not be understood by the galactic leader because, in their trillion years of history, they found that there is no such thing as religion.
Guess who? Yes, China’s President Xi Jinping will take the lead in this unprecedented interstellar summit, and here’s why.
In the grand chessboard of global politics, military strength remains crucial. China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is a large and emerging force, coupled with its rapidly advancing technological capabilities. Although China’s ambitions to become the world leader in artificial intelligence, are worrisome for the rest of the world, China’s power is pivotal for global security and trade. Its Belt and Road Initiative alone is reshaping global trade routes, creating a new paradigm for economic cooperation and development. China’s economic ascent is a testament to its market power.
Being aware of our planet’s geopolitical landscape, the intergalactic leader would recognize the strategic importance of engaging with the steward of authority and speaking to the architect of a military and economic powerhouse. China represents a microcosm of humanity’s collective hopes, dreams, and challenges. That is why the leader would call President Xi Jinping; he embodies all the facets of geopolitical power.
In the end, this narrative transcends the individuals involved, reflecting a deeper truth about our interconnected world and future world order. The arrival of a leader from a distant galaxy should remind us that, in the vastness of the cosmos, our shared humanity is our greatest strength.
We must wake up! Look at Earth’s economic landscape and geopolitical shift and realize that the West is about to lose its relevance. The 21st century belongs to China!
