Killing Time Inc.

As said, the destiny of history only predetermines the broad course of the future. There is a big variability where coincidences and political acts determine the exact path. Late modernities are chaotic. National and international politics are centralized and personalized under presidents, PMs, party leaders and dictators.

Even though this may be the new order of the day, politics and politicians can still vary considerably in quality along many dimensions. To take the most important when it concerns global superiority, late modernity is also characterized by a relative lack of longer term  strategic thought and policies. Instead short term tactics dominate. Under such circumstances world hegemony belongs to those who are both strong and have retained an ability to strategic thought. This is certainly not the hallmark of the present US administration.

Of course a democracy degenerating into a mob outside the guidance of responsible politicians and parties, a mob divided in raging fractions appealed to by demagogues, has difficulties acting strategically. But even under these circumstances presidents can be better in strategic thought.

PS

Killing in peace time a leading politician and/or general from another country in a third country sets precedences showing the level of int’l politics  for the next decades.