The century we live in shows a new period in history : the end of the Western dominated world. It comes back to a classical age that always existed, as the domination of the Western world was a relatively short period in history.
This situation comes from several factors. First the demography explains that Asian countries, Africa and South America represent a huge part of humanity today. The Western world is growing older and older, and is not able to compete with those other regions of the world to this extend. It is a major factor, as European demography, for instance, explained partly the great renaissance of the European countries and created in the long run the domination of Europe over Asia, the Middle East, Africa…
Second we live in a relatively peaceful period compared to other periods of history. There are war like the war in Ukaine, however we live in a period close to the XIXth century, with industrial revolutions and recompositions of powers : as the XIXth century favored England first, then the emergence of Germany, it looks that the recent globalization showed the American hyperpower, then the rise of China. It is noticeable that the rise of China today is very similar to the rise of Germany in the XIXth century.
But today’s situation looks to verify the idea of the Clash of civlizations of Samuel Huntington : the rivalry between great civlizations is going back. It can lead in the long run to great advancements in science, technology, culture… as competition often favored, in my opinion, great accomplishments. For instance the rivalry between Catholics and Protestants contributed to great inventions, artworks… that contributed to the brilliance of the Western civilization in the classical age.
The Western world is not as dominant as before. It even looks to be in a real age of decadence. Two symptoms illustrate that : the high level of debt and the extremely low level of education. It shows states often led by corrupted leaders, who don’t look for the long term interest of the countries they lead. As the Marshall plan, led by Keynesian principles, was a calculated risk, today debts often stem from clientelist calculations. About education, the lack of teachers is a real danger for our civilization. Only Asia kept the old fashioned education. It deeply contributed to the fact Asia is the first motor of global growth today.
That is the reason why focusing on immigrants, apart from being reactionary, doesn’t look to be the first problem. Fighting to reestablish an education of quality is a lot more important that accusating migrants of creating all the problems of the Western world. As Sartre said in the Jewish question, accusing the others is often a sign of decline, and of a fear of the future. However education, which is preparing the future; is not taken seriously enough. It is a tragical paradox.
The observer 