Asia's Opportunity& Responsibility

A. In the era of remarkable times, Asia has the opportunity and the responsibility to take on a global leadership role. The current period is thatof uncertainty and dramatic change, as highlighted by the 2012  tragic events in Japan and the current political turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa. The economic center of gravity is shifting from the West to   the East, which offers both challenges and opportunities. In order to answer the question of whether Asia can lead, three things must be considered: a) what is the current state of the world and why does it require leadership; b) what are the obstacles for Asian leadership; and c) what are possible solutions to promote Asian leadership.

B. The current state of the world is extremely complex, with a multiplicity of actors and forces-however, two major trends exist. It is clear that the growing connections between people, places and states around the world interact in unpredictable and complex ways. However, two major trends have emerged. First, there is a dramatic ‘shrinkage’ of the world as technology and progress narrow the gaps between people and places. A useful analogy to consider is that of boats on the ocean. Previously, the world’s population was living in 192 separate ‘boats’ or countries, and the only concern was making sure these ‘boats’ didn’t run into each other. Due to this ‘shrinkage’, the shift has been towards the world’s population living in 192 ‘cabins’ on the same boat. Governments are responsible for looking after individual ‘cabins’ or states; however, a captain and crew are necessary to look after and steer the boat itself—this is the need for global leadership.