Western Countries Seemingly Retreating to Small Markets for the Ideology of "Freedom and Democracy," Abandoning Capitalism – a Folly Resembling the Collapse of Eastern Bloc Nations.
Currently, the United States holds the position of the world's top economic power. Despite being a nation still rooted in white supremacy, the U.S. maintains strong ties with its European counterparts, forming the camaraderie of Western countries.
Japan is gladly part of this Western group, even as these nations enter a period of decline. Japan, along with Germany, the UK, and France, still ranks high globally in economic strength as G7 members. However, this dominance is fleeting.
The reason is simple: Western countries, like Japan, lack abundant resources, and with an aging population, the prospect of a growing workforce is dim. Even attempts to address population shortages through immigration face limitations due to potential political instability.
Another factor contributing to the decline of Western countries is their love for economic sanctions, a form of "anti-competitive policy." Despite sharing the values of capitalism that proclaim "competition as justice," Western nations actively pursue "economic sanctions," essentially blocking markets.
It appears as if, for the ideology of "freedom and democracy," Western countries are forsaking capitalism and isolating themselves in small markets, reminiscent of the foolishness seen in the collapsed Eastern Bloc nations.
Western countries, with a combined population of approximately 900 million, are essentially a coalition of smaller nations when excluding the U.S. and Japan. Despite numerous nations, their total population is less than that of India or China individually. The market size, excluding the U.S. and Japan, is comparable to that of a single country like China.
This perspective sheds light on why the U.S. might fear China and India. The exclusive capitalism of Western countries is bound to reach a deadlock. However, Western leaders seem oblivious, perhaps out of fear of the United States.
Regardless, by blocking markets and limiting competition, Western countries seem to be destroying their own economies. This is perplexing in a world where most nations embrace market economies, turning the entire globe into a capitalist landscape.
While the UN has the WTO (World Trade Organization), there is no institution overseeing competition policies, akin to a "Fair Trade Commission." If such an institution existed within the UN, Western countries' economic sanctions would likely be the first targets of "exclusion orders."
Even without invoking the UN, if Western countries persist in their addiction to the ideology of "freedom and democracy," constantly abusing "economic sanctions," they might face global boycotts.
Moreover, these sanctions are consistently applied with a double standard, appearing self-centered and self-righteous. While NATO and G7 give Western countries a sense of security, they risk being surpassed by the Global South.
Unless Western countries wake up soon, they may find themselves not as global leaders but as obstacles. Japan, in particular, should strive to break free from this undesirable future.
