Sociologists foresee global transformation amid US decline

The world is entering a period of profound transformation, marked by the decline of US hegemony and a shift away from established global structures, according to leading sociologists. Immanuel Wallerstein, a pioneer of world-systems theory, had predicted a "chaotic, messy, terrible, uncomfortable" world following the end of American dominance.

Peter Turchin, a proponent of Cliodynamics, describes the current era as a "decay phase" for the Western world, with potential outcomes including civil war or systemic collapse. Both scholars highlight that humanity is at a historical turning point, where the old order is fading and the contours of a new one remain undefined.

This transitional phase, described by futurist Zachary Stein as an "inter-world time," demands the creation of entirely new forms of social organization. The changes extend beyond economics and military power, impacting cultural identity, education, food systems, and interpersonal relationships. The challenge lies in fostering a new order that can endure until the next major global shift.

Stein emphasizes that altering worldviews and identities must precede reforms in governance and economics. He argues that attempting to restructure existing systems from the current perspective will likely create new and more severe problems. True renewal, he posits, begins at the level of human capabilities, consciousness, and education, while cautioning that these efforts are futile if humanity fails to manage artificial intelligence or mitigate nuclear threats.