The idea of the hyperpower; a society which amasses such extraordinary military and economic might that they essentially dominate the world is a concept normally used to refer to the USA. In her latest book, Yale law professor and best selling author of "World on Fire" (2002), Amy Chua examines other great powers in history which fit under the same heading.
She discusses the reasons behind the success and demise of Persia, Rome, Tang China, the Mongols, the Dutch, the British and the USA. Her conclusion is that so called hyperpowers follow a distinctive historical pattern: each one being pluralistic and tolerant in nature.
As the first nation of immigrants to become a hyperpower, the USA is the most obvious example of this. It’s technical and economic dominance results directly from an ability to attract talented and enterprising individuals from around the world.
There is, however, also evidence of this in the other major hyperpowers of history. Rome, for example, had a tolerant attitude to Africans, Spaniards and Gauls and allowed them high degrees of power.
The 13th Century Mongols, who established an empire stretching from Vienna to the Sea of Japan without original technology or literacy, succeeded because they practiced ethic and religious tolerance, quite unheard of at the time.
Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, on the other hand, were self-destructive as a result of their intolerance. They lost many intelligent and progressive people to the USA in the run up to World War Two.
Chua also examines the reasons for the fall of the so called hyperpowers. She concedes that, in almost every instance, multicultural tolerance eventually sowed the seeds of decline and diversity triggered conflict, hatred and violence.
The USA, for example, may have already reached its tipping point. There are concerns that uncontrolled illegal immigration is producing a backlash against the tradition of openness. It already runs the risk of being overtaken by growing powers, such as China, the EU or even India. Intolerance, xenophobia and calls for racial, religious and ethical purity are often associated with the decline of hyperpowers.
Although ‘Day of Empire’ is clearly and provocatively written, Chua relies too heavily at times on the idea of ‘strategic tolerance’, ignoring other factors like military and strategic excellence, corruption, and rationalism, which also contribute to the rise of major powers.
Moreover, while intolerance clearly can spark the decline of the hyperpower, losing of values and replacement by a like hyperpower are other factors which need to be taken into consideration.
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