DR. SAWRAJ SINGH
INTERNATIONALAFFAIRS / EDITORIAL
A new study by Pew Research Center wasjust released. Americans were asked whatthey thought of their country’s role in theworld. Many Americans felt that theAmerican role in the world is on thedecline. For the first time in 40 years, amajority of Americans responded thatthe US played a less important and powerfulrole in the world than it did a decadeago.70% of Americans saw the US as beingless respected than in the past.More than 50% of Americans felt thatthe US should mind its own business.53% felt that the US played a less powerfulrole as a world leader than a decadeago. A decade ago only 20% ofAmericans felt the same. 56% disapprovedof President Obama’s foreignpolicy.Many Americans also felt that China isrising. This impression is confirmed bythe mistaken belief that China is the topeconomic power today. 48% ofAmericans felt that China is the top economicpower today while only 31% feltthat America is at the top. This is in spiteof the fact that the American GDP isnearly twice that of China.The American defeats in the Iraq andAfghanistan wars are probably the mostimportant reason for this change in theAmericans’ perception. The situations inSyria and Iran have also contributed tothis change.For the last twenty years or so, I haverepeatedly written about the major trendsin today’s world. I felt that the two majortrends are the rise of the East and thedecline of the West. America is the leadingcountry of the West and China is theleading country of the East. Therefore,the Americans’ perceptions aboutAmerica and China actually reflectchanging equations between East andWest. It will be no exaggeration to saythat finally, global realities have dawnedon many Americans. This situation willhelp to combat arrogance amongstAmericans.While many Americans have acceptedglobal realities, the majority of Indianscontinue to deny the realities.They like to hold on to their belief thatthe domination and hegemony of thewest are permanent phenomena andnothing can change this establishedtrend. Many Punjabis go a step further;they glorify the West as a paradise whereeverything is good and nothing can gowrong. While Western adulation formany Indians is a product of their slavishmentality, for the Punjabis it is the resultof ignorance and lack of understanding.Many Punjabi intellectuals and writerspresent a one-sided picture of the West.Their impressions and writings are basedupon their perceptive, rather than conceptual,knowledge. Perceptive knowledgeis generally based upon initial andsuperficial impressions rather than a sincere,serious, anddeep study.For example,many Punjabiwriters and socalledPunjabii n t e l l e c t u a l s,while visitingwestern countries,are showngood hospitalityby the Punjabissettled in therespective countries.They havegood drinkingand dining experiencesand areentertained in aparty-like atmosphere.However,to consider thisas the normaland natural lifestyle of Punjabis abroad isnot entirely true.Many Punjabis face problems and challengesat work and at home. They have toput up with racial discrimination, disintegrationof family, and loss of culture andvalue system. Many Indians have tradedtheir economic problems for social andcultural problems.While many have been able to solve theireconomic problems, yet this came at avery big price in terms of family structure,social and cultural challenges.However, to live under illusions and in astate of denial will not help us meet thechallenges and solve the problems. I amreminded of Bob Dylan’s timeless song,“The times they are a-changin’.” We haveto accept the fact that the East is risingand the West is declining.Dr. Sawraj Singh, MD F.I.C.S. is theChairman of the Washington State Networkfor Human Rights and Chairman of theCentral Washington Coalition for Social Justice.He can be reached [email protected].
