The New Age of Empire: How the West is Shaping the Global Order

In his groundbreaking book, "The New Age of Empire," Kehinde Andrews argues that the West is still very much an imperial power, and that its influence is shaping the global order in profound ways. Andrews draws on a wealth of historical and contemporary evidence to show how the West has maintained its dominance over the Global South through a variety of means, including economic exploitation, political interference, and cultural hegemony.

Economic Exploitation

One of the most important ways in which the West maintains its dominance is through economic exploitation. Western corporations have a long history of extracting resources from the Global South, often at the expense of local communities. This exploitation has led to widespread poverty and inequality, and has contributed to the underdevelopment of many countries in the Global South.

Political Interference

The West also maintains its dominance through political interference. Western governments have a long history of intervening in the affairs of other countries, often to protect their own interests. This interference has often led to instability and conflict, and has undermined the sovereignty of many countries in the Global South.

Cultural Hegemony

Finally, the West maintains its dominance through cultural hegemony. Western culture is often seen as the default culture, and is promoted around the world through a variety of means, including the media, education, and popular culture. This has led to the marginalization of other cultures, and has contributed to the erosion of cultural diversity.

The Consequences of Western Dominance

The dominance of the West has had a profound impact on the Global South. It has led to widespread poverty, inequality, and conflict. It has also undermined the sovereignty of many countries in the Global South, and has contributed to the erosion of cultural diversity.

The Need for Change

The current global order is unsustainable. It is based on exploitation, oppression, and inequality. If we want to create a more just and equitable world, we need to challenge the dominance of the West and build a new global order that is based on cooperation, solidarity, and respect for human rights.

How to Challenge Western Dominance

There are many things that we can do to challenge Western dominance. We can support organizations that are working to promote social justice and economic equality. We can educate ourselves about the history of imperialism and its ongoing impact on the world today. We can also support alternative forms of media and culture that challenge the dominant narratives of the West.

By working together, we can create a more just and equitable world. We can build a new global order that is based on cooperation, solidarity, and respect for human rights.

Conclusion

"The New Age of Empire" is a powerful and provocative book that challenges our understanding of the global order. Andrews argues that the West is still very much an imperial power, and that its influence is shaping the global order in profound ways. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the world we live in and how we can create a more just and equitable future.