US, China and the World after Covid
Ten Lessons for a PostPandemic World
Covid-19 has sped up challenges the entire world has faced for some time. This book particularly deals with 10 aspects affected by the pandemic and foretells how the challenges would shape a post-pandemic world. Fareed Zakaria, a renowned journalist and public intellectual, addresses changes under a “new normal,” from our lifestyle, business and the role of the state to the post-pandemic world.
The pandemic allowed tensions between the US and China over trade, technology and geopolitics to burst into the open, with Washington ramping up both rhetoric and action against Beijing. Covid-19’s most profound consequence may be the start of a second Cold War, but Zakaria argues that although the world is inevitably becoming bipolar, that does not necessarily mean a Cold War. Deliberate choice matters. He is still hopeful of a multilateral liberal international order, but without the hegemonic role of the US. Zakaria contends that at this time, the restoration of an American-dominated international order is not possible. Nor will a restoration of American hegemony happen. Nevertheless, he further argues that America could play a pivotal role in this new era by setting the agenda, forming coalitions and organizing collective action. As tense as Us-china bipolarity may become, it remains embedded in this enduring, powerful, multilateral world.
The world is becoming bipolar, but that does not necessarily mean a Cold War.