America First or Asia First?

​In the past three years or so I have grown used to hearing “America First”—but are we truly prepared for the world where  “Asia First” seems to be more likely? 

What happens when Asia no longer produces for the West, but the West provides for Asia? And when Asians don’t attempt to live like the West, but rather Western societies wish they had Asians’ security and far-sighted leadership? My very good friend, Parag Khanna, the Author of the Future is Asian tells us to get ready to see the world, and the future, from the Asian point-of-view. 

Yes, the future is surely Asian. This Asian century is much greater than we imagine.  It is also far bigger than just China. The new Asian order is taking shape in multicivilizational system crossing Kuwait to Japan, Russia to Australia, Turkey to Malaysia - and connecting over five billion people through trade, finance, infrastructure, and strategic network, which represents over 40 percent of global GDP. 

China is the leader in building the new Silk Roads across Asia, but it will not lead it solely.  Today Asia is swiftly returning to the centuries-old principles of trade, conflict and cultural exchange that grew long before European colonialism or American dominance.  It seems that Asians will decide their own destiny - and as they collectively advance their interest around the world, they will determine ours - in the West as well.  

I agree with Parag, there is no more important region of the world for us to better understand than Asia - and therefore we cannot afford to keep getting Asia wrong.  

Parag explains that today Asia's complexity has led to common misdiagnoses:  Western thought on Asia vies the whole region like China, predicts impending conflict around every corner, and always projects debt-driven breakdown for the region's major economies.  

In reality, the entire region is undergoing a bold new wave of growth led by much younger societies from India to the Philippines, nationalists leaders have put aside regional disputes in favor of integration, and today's infrastructure investment is the platform for the new generation of digital innovation.  

If the nineteenth century highlighted the Europeanization of the world, and the twentieth century its Americanization, then the twenty-first century is the time of Asianization. From investment portfolios and trade conflicts to Hollywood films and university admissions, no aspect of life is immune from Asianization. With America’s tech sector reliant on Asian talent and politicians celebrating Asia’s glittering cities and efficient governments, Asia is permanently in our nation’s consciousness. We know this will be the Asian century. 

Parag's new book gives us an accurate picture of what it will look like.

I highly recommend "The Future is Asian" as Parag presents this irrepressible global Asianization through detailed analysis data, maps of Asia's major markets and their combined impact on the global economy, society, and governance.  With his trademark conceptual clarity and on-the-ground reportage, Parag provides essential guidance for all of us.  I very much enjoyed reading it.  Parag's intimate knowledge of Asian history and geopolitics, also how help painted a compelling vision of a balanced global system of shared responsibilities across America, Europe, and Asia.  

The Future is Asian by  Parag Khanna is one of the best definitive guides to Asia’s global influence in the 21st century.  I highly recommend it.