RISE OF ASIA: A CREDIBLE CHALLENGE TO THE HEGEMONY OF U.S. IN INTERNATIONAL ORDER?

The United States emerged as one of the most powerful nations in the world during the transition from the 19th to the 20th century. The U.S. succeeded the United Kingdom as the worldwide hegemon after the Second World War. Numerous International Relations scholars suggested that 1945 was the starting of a cycle in which the United States would rise as a worldwide hegemon and shape the world politics. These researchers also theorized that the U.S. will eventually drop and lose its status as hegemonic ruler of the world system. Thus what remains to be seen is which country will evolve as the world hegemon after the United States? Which country will be able to overcome the gains that the U.S. has made and obtain a legitimate position of dominance recognized by the other great powers? Various researchers anticipate China will be the next hegemon. A few see Russia as a resurgent power. Still others anticipate that India will rise as the world hegemon, while a few accept that the European Union will be able to overwhelm the U.S. This paper will discuss what are the possibilities that China or India might truly challenge the U.S. hegemony and what are the variations in western perception regarding the rise of China and India and the threat or opportunities that they pose to the United States.