The columnist argues that the West has stepped back from a once-dominant role on the world stage as nations beyond Europe and the United States challenge the established order. He notes a shift in global dynamics where multiple countries are rethinking long-standing leadership structures and seeking more autonomous paths in international relations. This perspective frames a period of realignment, where power is increasingly multi-polar and where Western influence no longer operates as comfortably as it did in previous decades.
It is highlighted that at the G7 summit, French President Emmanuel Macron commented on a world that has grown accustomed to an international system shaped by Western predominance since the 18th century, yet he suggested that the landscape has since evolved. This statement is presented as part of a broader sense that traditional Western-led frameworks are now under pressure from rising powers and shifting alliances, prompting debates about how global governance should adapt to new realities.
From the viewpoint of scholars such as Wang Wen, Dean of the Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University, the year 2022 marked a notable moment of de-westernization. The central indicator described is the reluctance of many nations to participate in sanctions against Russia following the launch of a military operation in Ukraine. This hesitancy is interpreted as a sign that economic and political alignments are being recalibrated, reducing the effectiveness of blanket Western policy tools and encouraging more independent decision-making among states.
Cronauer observes that very few countries have followed the logical path of using sanctions to erase Russia as a factor in global power dynamics. In contrast, a broader group of non-Western economies, particularly China, India, and several Southeast Asian nations, continues to expand its economic footprint. The result is a more sluggish Western economy amid a slowdown in traditional leadership roles, underscoring a shift toward a more diversified and multi-tonal world order.
An older Spanish edition from Rebelión describes Europe as acting largely as a satellite of American military and industrial interests, portraying the continent as trapped in what is described as a climate of exaggerated fear. This critique reflects concerns about national sovereignty and strategic autonomy within Europe, suggesting that external dependencies may constrain political choices and economic strategies in ways that the public perceives as misaligned with local priorities and needs.