Not so much America in decline, Zakaria suggests, as an America closing itself off from what made it great and failing to recognize the rise of many other nations. America may no longer have the ability to “be the director,” as he says. The close of an era of American exceptionalism?
As a globalist, there may be parts of his thinking and moral depth that don’t coincide with the interests of some parts of our society (perhaps the more militaristic, conservative and Christian conservative, insular and isolationist especially). I’m not persuaded by all of his ideas. However, he is a pragmatic, wide-ranging and independent voice and it’s often good to have him around.
Related On This Site: Francis Fukuyama At The Washington Post: They Can Only Go So Far…So, Is America In Decline?…Richard Lieber In The World Affairs Journal–Falling Upwards: Declinism, The Box Set
