Mesfin Mulugeta Woldegiorgis Yes, it is increasingly evident that American global dominance is waning. While the issue cannot be placed solely on any one administration, much of the decline stems from deeply rooted structural problems. In particular, the longstanding inability of Congress to function cohesively and address critical policy areas over the past few decades have significantly weakened the United States’ ability to respond effectively to global shifts.

We are already witnessing the early stages of a new world order. For instance, movements across Africa reflect growing resistance to foreign influence and a strong desire for self-determination. At the same time, emerging alliances such as BRICS are gaining momentum. These alliances offer alternative models of economic and geopolitical cooperation and are beginning to challenge the traditional Western-dominated framework.

Technology is undoubtedly shaping the future. Innovation has always played a central role in global power, but the current difference lies in the speed and nature of advancement. These developments are now driven by breakthroughs in microchips, software, and artificial intelligence. Historically, the nations that have led in technological development have also held global influence. Today, countries across Asia are making rapid strides, achieving significant progress in AI, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure. This progress is positioning them as serious competitors on the global stage.

When considering the balance between technocracy and democracy, there is a growing argument that algorithm-driven decision-making can enhance governance. This is particularly true in areas where efficiency, scale, and data accuracy are essential. Given the long history of biased, short-sighted, and politically motivated human decisions—especially during the last century—it is understandable that many see technocratic systems as a potential improvement. In sectors such as finance and logistics, algorithms already outperform human judgment.

This period is defined by the erosion of longstanding power structures, the rapid expansion of knowledge, and a growing shift toward technocratic forms of governance. Successfully navigating this new landscape will require adaptable leadership, innovative thinking, and a truly global perspective.

The emerging decentralized global world order is likely to feature less dominance by any single superpower, more influence from regional actors, digital governance networks, and decentralized financial systems like blockchain, creating both opportunities for innovation and risks of instability due to reduced global coordination.

Mesfin Mulugeta Woldegiorgis

The emerging decentralized global world order is likely to be characterized by multipolarity, technological sovereignty, and ideological fluidity. The decline of a unipolar system dominated by the United States, coupled with the rise of regional powers like China, India, Brazil, and the broader BRICS coalition, signals a redistribution of influence that is not merely geopolitical but also epistemological—how knowledge is produced, who controls it, and how it's validated. In this sense, we're not just witnessing a shift in political power but a transformation in how global norms and truths are negotiated. The rapid acceleration of technology, especially artificial intelligence, blockchain, and decentralized communication systems, empowers non-state actors and sub-national entities in unprecedented ways, eroding the traditional authority of centralized nation-states.

Technocracy is indeed playing a larger role, especially in societies where trust in political institutions is declining. As challenges like climate change, pandemics, cyber warfare, and digital surveillance grow more complex, there is a growing temptation to prioritize data-driven decision-making over democratic deliberation. However, this technocratic shift is not necessarily incompatible with democracy—what matters is whether the deployment of expertise remains accountable, transparent, and inclusive. We are entering a world where political legitimacy may stem less from ideology and more from competence, adaptability, and the ability to manage complexity.

That said, uncertainty will likely remain a defining feature. We are witnessing the collapse of many 20th-century certainties: fixed career paths, stable identities, and linear development models. In their place arises a new kind of global order—fluid, plural, and constantly renegotiated through networks, platforms, and knowledge flows. The challenge ahead is to build governance systems that can withstand fragmentation without falling into authoritarianism, and to nurture civic cultures that value both innovation and ethical responsibility. The future will not belong to those with the most power, but to those who can collaborate across difference in a world where no single actor is fully in control.