Relativity in international affairs

Comments on Tommy Koh “Asia-US bond remains strong”, 19/07/2010, http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2010/07/19/asia-us-bond-remains-strong/
While readers may get the impression that Koh and Tay have quite different views on this issue when reading this post, it may be the case that both may be correct.

So how one can reconcile their different and possibly contradictory views as both correct? The answer may lie in whether one takes a relative or absolute view. Another way to view it is dynamic versus static.

From absolute point of view, Koh is correct.

From relative point of view, Tay is correct.

The US is the most powerful country in the world and will remain so for a long time to come.

However, its share in the world is also declining. The faster the world excluding the US grows, the more rapid that decline will be.

Both are facts and correct. It depends on one's perspectives.

However, irrespective of its decline or not, the US will be an important factor for the world including Asia.

Let’s acknowledge that and open to the reality of the world today and its tomorrow.