80,000 Hours Podcast

#218 – Hugh White on why Trump is abandoning US hegemony – and that’s probably good

143 snips
Jun 12, 2025
Hugh White, Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University, analyzes the shifting landscape of global power. He argues that Trump's actions highlight America’s waning hegemony instead of destroying it. White discusses the asymmetry in U.S.-Russia relations and challenges the notion of inevitable U.S. dominance globally, especially against the backdrop of China's rise. He emphasizes the need for adaptive strategies in a multipolar world, suggesting that allies must forge stronger bilateral ties to navigate these changes.
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INSIGHT

End of Unipolar US Order

  • The unipolar US global order established post-Cold War is ending due to rising multipolar global power.
  • Living in a multipolar world with several influential powers is manageable and preferable to escalating great power rivalry.
INSIGHT

US Global Leadership Costs Rise

  • US leadership role post-Cold War became untenable as costs and risks increased amid rival powers.
  • America cannot sustain global dominance when the costs outweigh the perceived benefits.
INSIGHT

Unipolar Order's Unprecedented Nature

  • The US-led unipolar order post-Cold War was nearly unprecedented and beneficial.
  • Although desirable, the unipolar order is fading due to evolving global realities.
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