In the nineteen's century, France, Spain and England were the colonial powers that dominated the world. Austria took over Europe from Turkey and created its own empire. Russia grew too and became an empire. Then Germany caught up. The change in power caused WWI, and Germany became the powerhouse of Europe. Since communication improved war became a global phenomena that included multiple coutries instead of just two players.
Then America took over the world. Since WWII the leadership of the world became bimodal. America took the role of the good power, and Russia of the bad one. Not long before that Europeans considered America a place for criminals and whores, who took everything from the native population and sent some of the riches back to Europe. After the war, suddenly America was "the only party in town". It was the country that funded progress, where science happened, and where everyone dreamed of going. On the other hand, Russia (the bad power) succeeded through brute force. They displaced people, placed them in jail, and physically suppressed those who opposed the communism regime. The post-WWII Jerkyl and Hyde game replaced colonies with proxy wars where American played the role of the saviours as reported by the media, and Russia funded the bad guys. Of course, both caused destruction and heartbreak around the world.
Today, India could become the good power and China the bad one. Together they could lead whatever world is left of the world after WWIII. India controls IT and China controls manufacturing. In terms of dynamics, there is the internet (India), the manufacturing (China), the resources (e.g., oil - the Arab world), and food (some everywhere). We are trying to get rid of oil/gas in part to stop climate change, and in part because of our fear of the arabs, who still have many children. Somehow, having old, silly leaders in palaces that do nothing (beyond getting fat and abusing themselves and others) and have none of the things that matter cannot hold forever.
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