Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Power has become more fleeting and transient, with a number of different kinds of constraints limiting the abilities of those in power, whether countries, corporations, churches, or armies.
The decline of political and corporate power has been observed over the last two decades. Although there is much to celebrate, there is also cause for concern over the ability to push through an agenda and make decisions in a timely manner.
Traditional leaders have experienced a decay in power, as observed by the challenges faced by the pope and the economic problems the U.S. government is fighting to resolve.
Power is shifting across the world, from east to west, from presidential palaces to public squares, and from big companies to start ups.
North Korean nuclear issues, territorial disputes, and the relationship with the United States are the key issues affecting China’s foreign policy in 2013.
As the nature of power shifts and new actors grow in importance, a transformation in global governance will depend more greatly on coalition-building rather than concentrated power among a handful of actors.
President Obama’s speech at the U.N. General Assembly welcomed democratic change but called on governments to show respect for freedom of speech.