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The World in the Post-American Era: No Hegemon, Only the Rise of Regional Powers

  • Writer: FOFA
    FOFA
  • 4 days ago
  • 4 min read


— Starting from the Singapore Prime Minister's Assessment of Global Order: "The world is entering a transition period following U.S. dominance; no single nation can replace the hegemonic position, and the international order will be collectively shaped by multiple regional powers."


I. Not Anti-Americanism, but Post-Hegemony

In recent years, the Prime Minister of Singapore has repeatedly emphasized in various international forums that the world is entering a transition period following the era of U.S. dominance. This shift is often simplified as "anti-Americanism," but in reality, it is not a collective ideological opposition to the United States. Rather, it represents a deeper, structural change: a single hegemon is no longer capable of, nor willing to, assume the role of comprehensively leading the global order.

Following the end of the Cold War, the United States established a rare "unipolar moment" across military, security, financial, technological, and institutional dimensions. However, with domestic political polarization, the reallocation of strategic resources, and the emergence of a backlash against globalization, the U.S. investment in and consensus on maintaining the existing international order is declining. This does not signify a sudden decline of the United States, but rather that the cost of hegemony has exceeded its willingness to sustain it.

Therefore, the key characteristic of the current world is not the "formation of an anti-American alliance," but rather decentralization.


II. No New Hegemon Emerging



An intuitive question arises: If the United States is no longer the sole hegemon, will a new hegemon rise to take its place?

Singapore’s judgment is negative.

Whether it is China, the European Union, or other potential great powers, none possess the conditions to establish comprehensive dominance across global military projection, financial systems, technological standards, and value narratives simultaneously. Some have strength concentrated in economics, others in security, while others are constrained by internal structures and external environments.

The result is a shift from a unipolar system to a multipolar one. However, this multipolarity is not a stable division of labor, but rather a state of fragmented competition and cooperation.

No single country can replicate the past role of the United States: simultaneously setting the rules, providing public security, and bearing the risks and costs for those who violate the norms.


III. The Rise of Regional Powers Replacing Global Hegemony

In the absence of a hegemon at the global level, power has not disappeared; instead, it has descended to the regional level.

This is precisely the reality that the Prime Minister of Singapore repeatedly reminds small nations to face:The future international order will be increasingly shaped by regional powers, rather than managed uniformly by a global hegemon.

Similar trends can be observed in different regions:

  • East Asia: Security and economic orders present a multi-party tug-of-war.

  • The Middle East: No longer dominated by a single external force, but characterized by regional nations vying for influence.

  • South Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America: All show a tendency where "local powers dictate the terms."

The characteristics of this "regionalized world" are:

  • Rules are no longer globally consistent.

  • Security arrangements are highly localized.

  • State behavior is more realistic and reliant on strength rather than institutional commitments.


IV. Survival Strategies for Small Nations: Pragmatism over Taking Sides

For a small nation like Singapore, this judgment is not a theoretical debate, but a matter of survival.

In a world without a hegemon, small nations can no longer assume that:

  • Relying on a specific great power guarantees long-term safety.

  • International law and multilateral institutions will necessarily be effective.

  • Globalization will automatically bring stability and prosperity.

Conversely, small nations must:

  • Maintain multilateral relations and strategic flexibility.

  • Avoid being locked into a single camp.

  • Strengthen their own economic, technological, and institutional resilience.

  • Actively shape rules within regional frameworks, rather than passively accepting them.

This is the source of the strategic logic consistently advocated by Singapore: "Do not choose sides, but choose principles; do not confront, but do not be naive."



V. Realism in a De-Hegemonized World

In summary, the world depicted by the Prime Minister of Singapore is not one taken over by a new hegemon, but a realistic international system characterized by dispersed power, unstable order, and regional dominance.

This is not an era of anti-American rule over the world,But an era where the world is no longer ruled by any single nation.After the hegemon exits, the stage is not left empty,But is partitioned by regional powers.

In such a world, idealism gives way to survival, slogans give way to capability, and the wisdom of a nation will determine whether it can stand firm in an era without a hegemon.



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