To make its case for a continued global leadership role, America must, however, step up to the plate. While the go-it-alone impulse of the Bush administration has been discredited by its consequences, the inverse lessons regarding how important collaborative action is in today’s interconnected world are still being learned. Even at the apex of American power, its greatness was always based on inspiring 
others, and the opportunities for building market share in that particular category remain unlimited. America’s actions over the coming years will determine whether its power model can be restored. America can and should, for example, become the global leader combating climate change through major investments in alternative energy, conservation, and energy efficiency, and by taking strong actions to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. It should transform its immigration policy to recruit the best people from around the world to move to the US, and remain the world’s leading champion of open markets.
Closing the prison at Guantánamo and reaffirming America’s commitment to international law and human rights will also be an important step in this direction. The world wants to believe in an America that lives up to its own best values.
The prospect of a global community of nations working together to achieve the greater good for all is indeed exciting. But, although America has been far from perfect over the last six decades, the end of the pax Americana has the potential to create a dangerous void in international affairs. If the world is going to shift in the direction of a new and more globally democratic system, other nations also need to step forward. Until this happens, let us all hope that America can get back on track as the global champion of collaborative action.....Continue
others, and the opportunities for building market share in that particular category remain unlimited. America’s actions over the coming years will determine whether its power model can be restored. America can and should, for example, become the global leader combating climate change through major investments in alternative energy, conservation, and energy efficiency, and by taking strong actions to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. It should transform its immigration policy to recruit the best people from around the world to move to the US, and remain the world’s leading champion of open markets.Closing the prison at Guantánamo and reaffirming America’s commitment to international law and human rights will also be an important step in this direction. The world wants to believe in an America that lives up to its own best values.
The prospect of a global community of nations working together to achieve the greater good for all is indeed exciting. But, although America has been far from perfect over the last six decades, the end of the pax Americana has the potential to create a dangerous void in international affairs. If the world is going to shift in the direction of a new and more globally democratic system, other nations also need to step forward. Until this happens, let us all hope that America can get back on track as the global champion of collaborative action.....Continue
