Buckle Up: The Era of Great Power Competition is Here to Stay

How rising powers will create a new world order

As we move deeper into the 21st century, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: we’re in for a long ride of great power competition and potentially conflict.

In recent memory, we’ve enjoyed the relative stability of a bipolar system during the Cold War and the rapid progress of Pax Americana—the period of American global hegemony. These eras are fading into the rearview mirror, replaced by an intense and complex rivalry between the United States, China, Russia, and rising powers such as India, Brazil, the EU, and others. Unfortunately, multipolar systems tend to be less stable, more likely to lead to large wars, and longer lasting.

It’s tempting to hope for a quick resolution or a return to simpler times, but let’s be real—this is going to take a while. The dynamics of this new age aren’t just geopolitical posturing; they’re shaping our economies, our technologies, and even our daily lives.