Vestnik MGIMO-Universiteta (May 2017)

CRISIS OF GLOBAL HEGEMONY: THE OVERSTREACH OF US HYPERPOWER IN THE 21ST CENTURY

  • V. V. Shishkov

DOI
https://doi.org/10.24833/2071-8160-2017-1-52-36-56
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 0, no. 1(52)
pp. 36 – 56

Abstract

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The structural change of international relations system at the end of the Cold war has resulted in US becoming the sole superpower or hyperpower. The US took advantage of this position and strived to build a hegemonic world order based on US military-strategic superiority and soft-power. Implementation of this strategy results in “imperial overstrain” a serious revision of US strategic planning in 2010 and 2015. In the context of the continuing decline in the power of the United States (economic, technological and military) relative to other centers of power, it is nonmilitary political methods and instruments that, together with “soft power” and military pressure, increasingly come to the fore in US realizing global geopolitical aspirations. The new imperative of US strategy is deterrence of Russia and China, which could result only in the crisis of global hegemony and the rise of conflicts in world politics.

Keywords