In what ways does having one power (USA) effect on international relations today?
International relations have been always being the most sophisticatedstaff in the world. There were many cases in history while certain decision in this sphere could save the world from awful consequences or lead to the catastrophe. It is strongly connected with the level of political experience and knowledge as well as with luck. Anyway the master of the world has to be responsible for his effects.
So, in the result of rival crash USA emerges in the unique situation. They became the first and the single real world power. But nevertheless it wasn’t so easy and it didn’t happen at once. The conditions for it have been formed during the whole century.
Let’s regard the reasons for such incredible growth of the power. First of all I’d say that the base for growing geopolitical ambitions of America was provided by fast industrialization of the country. To the beginning of WWI economic potential of USA achieved third of the world GNPand overtake Great Britain as a military leader that times. But notwithstanding as I consider the biggest influent on such a dynamic growth made a culture encouraging experiments and innovation. In addition American political institutions and free market economy created unexampled opportunities for ambitious inventors. To make a long story short national culture provided economic development attending the most gifted people from abroad. About million of students come to USA every year and the only half of them come back home. In such a way USA has become the center of world brain. And that is for sure perfect conditions for fast growing power in all fields.
So, thanks to such a strong basement USA gain an opportunity to spread their power. Indispensable condition for it was to reach high level of democracy that is the most perspective type of society. This type must become a mode for other governments. Thus and so American accent on democracy and economic development combined simple ideological revelation that is suitable for personal success making freedom stronger and creating wealth.
Coming back to the USA strategy I suppose that American global superiority is support by the huge and sophisticated system of unions and cooperation, which encircle the whole world. NATO connects the most developed and influential states of Europe with America changing the United States into the main acting government even in the intra European businesses.
Mutual political and military relations with Japan connect the most powerful Asian economy to the US. Western hemisphere is mostly controlled by America through activity in such unions as Asian-Pacific forum of economical cooperation. There are several projects financed by America, which make even the territory of former USSR depended on the great power. Moreover US military power is regularly proofed by some vague defensible inventions.
Afghanistan and Iraq are strongly controlled and pressed by the USA for the sake, as official Wessington says, of world piece.
Thus American superiority gave birth to new international regime that copies but also reproduces abroad many features of American system. Its main moments include:
-System of collective security. There are also united command and armed forces for instance NATO or US-Japan agreement about safety;
-Regional economical contributions such as APEC, NAPTA and specialized global organization such as World Bank, International Currency Fond and World Labor Organization.
- Global law system such as International justice or special tribunal at military business.
Most part of this system has been developed during the Cold War. The system was given a chance for global use by the rival had damaged itself.
To make a long story short America takes dominating positions in four main spheres of world power: unique military possibilities, drive power in the world economy in spite of rivalry of Germany and Japan, leadership in science and technology, extra attraction in culture field. These factors provided USA with the great political influence that doesn’t belong to any other state in the world. Such a sophisticated combination makes America really single superpower today that is the standard for coping in the century of democracy domination.
But unfortunately there is such a tendency that after the tragedy on the 9.11 America created a label of “freedom spreader” and “protector of human rights”. In spite of it US fighting the totalitarianism can’t be stopped by any among of victims and breaks the main natural human right for living. In general such a situation is a reason for active protest of other influential states such as Germany or France. And that is one more proof America is doubted to serve as an international guarantor of safety. Thus and so America is a globe power that is needed to retain its position through the active communication with independent international organizations such as UNO and cooperation with leading poles such as Russia or China.
And to sum up my idea I would like to say that it is not such significant in what ways the one-superpower effects on international relations but there is much more important to realize all the responsibility for that.