Introduction
The argument about the superiority of the west and east dates back many centuries ago. Historians and academicians have different perspectives concerning this issue. However, it is unclear what has been used as the perimeter for measuring the superiority between the west and the east. If the deciding factor was technological advancement, standard and effective political systems, and economic and financial growth, then the gap between the west and east ought to have been closed by now. Contrary to what different forms of western media portray, the East in reality seems to be at the same level as the west. (Ian, 333)
Learned historians have often wondered how Asian countries like China slipped when it was technologically advanced as early as the 15th century and the west lagged behind it at that time. As early as 1405, the Chinese admiral Zheng had sailed with 27, 000 sailors. 87 years later precisely in 1492, after admiral Zheng had sailed the pacific, Christopher Columbus sailed with 90 men in three ships and he barely knew his location or destination. The western ships were not a match to those of China and this was a clear indication of China’s advancement. (Ian, 315) Apart from having 27,000 sailors, admiral Zheng also had 300 vessels and 180 medical personnel. To say Columbus’ ships were not of the same standard as Admiral Zheng’s ship is an understatement. It is very glaring that China’s ships were more advanced than the west’s primitive ships. Professor Ian Morris in his book entitled “why the west rules: for now” describes history as an interwoven, sluggish connection between social and geographical development. (Ian, 413)
This paper will focus on addressing issues like why the west was in the lead down to 400CE and why it lost its leadership position at that particular time. Furthermore, the paper will explain how the west regained its leadership position around 1750CE and an educative guess will be made about what will happen in the future between China and the West will due to the technological development of both parties.
Why the West was in the lead in 400CE
Throughout human history, development in all forms has always been the priority of nations across the world. But this development seems to elude certain parts of the world in spite of their efforts and zeal to develop. The west’s dominance dates back to over 2000 years and its lead shrank down to about 1000BC. Development moves in dimensions and sometimes it is stagnant in one place for about 1 or 2,000 years before jumping forward again to somewhere else. (Ian, 458)
The real reason why the West has dominated the world for over 2000 years without any strong contention remains unclear and it is almost a mystery. But what is more mysterious is the fact that, prior to the beginning of the west’s development, China had developed a century earlier. Although in spite of its early development, the west spurted forward and overtook China thus dominating the world. By the 18th century, the West had begun an industrial revolution that enabled it to project its military and economic strength on the global scene. This remained unchallenged for about a century and a half. The inability of other parts of the world to challenge the west’s military and economic strength earlier than the 19th century gave the west time to gain more strength and establish itself more solidly on the global stage. (Ian, 716)
To make any logical comparison, it is essential to quantify it. Despite China’s early development, it failed to establish itself on the global stage and this gave the west an opportunity to do what china had failed to do earlier. The west did not only dominate the globe politically but it also exported its culture and values throughout the world. This factor is majorly responsible for the west’s dominance in 400CE. (Ian, 651)
Another grievous mistake made by China was concentrating on less important issues like trying to get rid of hordes. Rather than looking for a way to establish its position on the globe, China spent time on trivial issues. The west unlike china utilized its opportunity by establishing itself on the global stage. This solid foundation laid by the west has enabled it to withstand all attempts and pressure to overtake it from its leading position on the globe. (Ian, 524) If China had done the same when it had the chance, the west would have found it difficult to dominate easily. China had every opportunity to dominate the globe but it failed to seize the opportunity. If Chinese admiral Zheng had sailed with a sophisticated ship in 1405, it clearly shows how advanced China was at that time. Furthermore, the Chinese were the first to explore the shores of Africa, Australia and India before the westerners arrived. (Ian, 558)
This early exposure and advancement of China was a perfect opportunity to dominate the globe in all ramifications. But despite this glaring opportunity, China failed to make an impact on the global stage and the west simply did what China had failed to do. The geographical location of the west was also to its advantage. The west due to its location was able to use the Atlantic Ocean for international trading. This was easy because; the Atlantic oceans already had islands and peninsulas jutted into it. China’s failure to seize the opportunity it had is largely responsible for the west’s domination in 400CE. (Ian, 671)
Why the West lost its leadership position temporary
History has shown that when there is pressure, there is a high tendency for change. For this reason, Ian Morris believes those who clamor for change are lazy people who are afraid to face pressure and are looking for easier and safer ways of handling issues thus they agitate for change. But the road to success is rough and tough and there are no easy routes. When the west took a lead in the world in the 15th century, there were no objections about how it handled global issues. It would have been more appropriate if there were bold countries that could contend with the west but there were none so the west led until the dark ages. (Ian, 512) The period of European history between the end of the Roman Empire and the 10th century AD is commonly referred to as the dark ages. This was the period in which the west lost its leadership position. (Ian, 589)
The west was able to maintain the leadership position it had attained in the 15th century by exporting its values and by using it geographical location judiciously. The crumble of the Roman Empire destabilized the west and this was an opportunity for the East to take over leadership in the globe. Before the 10th century AD, a group of European countries was collectively ruled by one ruler and this was described as the Roman Empire. (Ian, 404) The Roman Empire was very strong and influential because all the European countries involved combined their resources and wealth together to their advantage. The Roman Empire worked in a close coalition with the west and contributed to making the West attain and maintain its leadership position globally. Furthermore, this coalition made it almost impossible for any other country or continent to contest global leadership with the west. (Ian, 523)
The west’s dominance went on for a long time before the Roman Empire finally collapsed and this was the major reason why the west had lost its leadership position temporarily. The collapse of the Roman Empire was a twist that the world had not anticipated and it caught the West off guard. During this same period, the Sui dynasty in china brought unity to China and this helped propel the east to a leadership position. Possibly, China had been unable to fully contend with the west due to its internal problems of division amongst itself. (Ian, 341) To function properly in international politics, it is very important to have concentration and this was exactly what China lacked prior to the time when the Sui dynasty unified it. The collapse of the Roman Empire and the Unity in China made it possible for the West to be displaced from its leadership position.
Why the West was able to regain its leadership position in 1750CE
When the west led the globe, it laid a solid foundation for itself but when the east took the lead after the collapse of the Roman Empire, it failed to do the same. This meant it was only a matter of time before the west regained its leadership position. (Ian, 516)
In the 15th century, china was clearly ahead of the west in terms of technological development but it failed to take advantage of its lead. Then again, it was Chinese sailors who arrived on the shores of Africa first but the west ended up colonizing Africa. This again shows the laxity displayed by China in the failure to colonize African nations. One would have expected China to have learned from its past mistakes but the reverse was the case. (Ian, 452) China’s consistent mistakes and laxity were to the advantage of the west. When the west had its opportunity to lead the globe, it built its military strength, exported its values and cultures, dominated the international markets and led politically. These factors worked to the advantage of the west at all times and made it almost impossible for any continent to displace its leadership position easily. The dark ages and the vision of the Sui dynasty to unite china gave the east an opportunity to lead and dominate the world as the west did. (Ian, 511)
Although the East took the lead it failed to establish itself as the west did. Leading and dominating the globe requires a lot more than just being at the helm of activities. The major difference between the east and the west was that, while the west laid foundations for the future, the east simply wanted to be at the helm of affairs. This was not enough to keep the west off for a long time. (Ian, 456) The west had not dominated and led the world because it was the best in global governance but it was able to lead the globe for a long time because; it was able to do what other continents were unable to do. China had more than a single opportunity to oust the west permanently but its laxity and unseriousness were to the advantage of the west. Due to the fact that the west had laid a solid foundation while it had its chance, it was able to quickly recuperate from its fallen position and the foundation it laid aided its recovery. (Ian, 489)
Natural resources were also another reason why the west regained its leadership position in 1750. A western nation known as Britain was naturally blessed with coal and after the east had taken over leadership from the west, the west used its natural resources to its advantage. Apart from being endowed with natural resources, the west had already established a good internal business link. In 1750 the west converted its natural resources it into different forms of energy and technology. This was responsible for the emergence of gunboats, factories and railroads. (Ian, 534) The new technological advantage of the west propelled it back to its leadership position in the 19th century. When the east realized its mistakes and tried to object, it was too late because; the foundations laid by the west worked to its advantage. By the beginning of the 20th century, the invention of nuclear weapons and computers secured the west’s position as a global leader. (Ian, 593) This was the uniqueness of the west. It did not only clamor to lead the globe but it always tried to secure its position. When the west regained its position as a global leader, it was not contented and therefore, it went a step further to secure its position. This was also the case when the west colonized African nations. After colonizing African nations the west had exported its cultures and values to these underdeveloped nations. (Ian, 645)
The west’s ability to always secure its position in one way or the other shows its seriousness and maturity. These factors collectively enabled the west regain its leadership position in 1750. (Ian, 620)
The future of the world in regards to the development of the west and China
In this 21st century, concerns have been expressed over the global leadership of the west. Apart from Asian like Japan, China and India developing rapidly in the last 3 decades, African countries also seem to be on the verge of finding a breakthrough.
Prior to this time, Asian countries like Japan, India and China were described or termed as developing countries. But the last 40 years witnessed the tremendous growth of these countries into superpowers of the world and their development is on the increase. India for instance has grown tremendously in medicine. As a matter of fact, India today ranks as one of the best in medicine and surgery throughout the world. This was not the case about 50 years ago but the Asian nations have persisted and clamored for development for a long time. (Ian, 562) China has also grown been an ordinary underdeveloped Asian country to the biggest international market in the world. Today, the Chinese market determines how successful a company maximizes profit. This means that, if a product is not patronized in China, the profit of the company is minimal. Therefore, every serious international company tries to establish a good customer relationship with China. Japan another Asian country, is today regarded as a major threat to the superpowers due to its large collection of nuclear arsenals. (Ian, 550)
Taking into cognizance the tremendous growth of Asian nations, the chances of the west continuing its global dominance are very slim. Some scholars argue that China had learned from its past mistakes and the tremendous growth witnessed in Asia would mark the end of the west’s dominance in the next century. The west on the other hand is aware of China’s growth and it is also prepared to secure its position through every logical and legal means. It has orchestrated new techniques to enable it to secure its global position. (Ian, 612)
The position of the west as a global leader hangs in the balance particularly now that more people are clamoring for change. The wind of change seems to be blowing across Africa in particular. The world recently witnessed how different African countries have ousted their incumbent presidents. This started in Tunisia when the Tunisians protested that the incumbent president Ben Ali should resign and when the Tunisians achieved this, the Egyptians were the next. President Hosni Mubarak was also ousted from power after 28 years of ruling. Presently in Libya, the people of Libya are protesting and asking incumbent president Moman Gaddafi to step down after being in power for about 38 years. This has resulted in a civil war but the war does not deter the Libyans.
All these are examples of people who are asking for change. If uncivilized Africans have decided to go against their leaders and ask for change, there is a very high tendency that other continents will also challenge the west’s global leadership position. This means that the west’s position as a global leader is hanging in the balance. (Ian, 698)
Conclusion
The west has dominated and ruled the world since the 15th century despite China’s seemingly rapid development. A lot of reasons are responsible for the west’s dominance of the globe but these reasons are effective because china had failed to utilize the chance it had to permanently rule the globe. Although that was in the past and the Chinese have learned their lessons. The west’s dominant position on the globe presently hangs in the balance. Technological development in Asia and the persistent clamor for change in Africa and the entire world is an indication that the west’s time is up. (Ian, 225)
The west’s ability to effectively lead the globe from the 15th century to the 17th century when it lost its leadership position temporarily and its ability to bounce back and overtake the east makes it very experienced in global politics. The wealth of experience gathered by the west during these 2,000 years it had led the globe is of great advantage to it. In order to effectively and peacefully overtake the west from its global position, more wit and prudence is required than nuclear arms. (Ian, 665)
Reference
Ian, Morris. Why the West Rules – For Now: The Patterns of History, and what they reveal About the Future. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. 2010. Print