THE POWER OF CONSTRUCTION

The period from the Second World War to 1991 was the era of dominance of the United States and the Soviet Union. These two powers came to be known as superpowers because they were the only countries that possessed the largest number of atomic bombs. The possession of these nuclear weapons made them superpowers.

However, research showed that despite their immense power, nuclear weapons were impractical for actual use. Ancient weapons like swords caused limited destruction, but nuclear bombs bring about unlimited devastation. If ever employed, they would wipe out the entire world, annihilating both the defeated and the victors. This made their use unthinkable.

The production of nuclear weapons and modern arms dealt severe economic blows to both America and the Soviet Union. America’s economy became hollow. For example, at that time, America owed Japan more than 40 billion dollars. The Soviet economy collapsed completely, leading to the fall of its empire.

From 1992, a new phase of history began. As Time magazine (February 10, 1992) put it:

“This is becoming a familiar line: ‘The Cold War is over, and Japan won.’ Much of the rationale for America’s global military role is gone, and the U.S. must now find a new place in a complex world economy… America, still the most powerful economy, nonetheless feels itself to be somehow the diminished thing.” (p.9)

In times of war, the nation with destructive power seems to lead the world. But in times of peace, the nation that can offer peace leads the world.