In 1980, a world swayed under the control of two superpowers: the Soviet Union and the United States. It was a seemingly impregnable Soviet Union that, despite its internal turmoil, still competed with the United States on the international stage. Against this background, the Norwegian scholar John Galtung boldly predicted the demise of the Soviet Union and the collapse of the United States.
His words were dismissed as nonsense at the time, but the wheels of history rolled forward, and the Soviet Union did collapse. So, did John Galton's other prediction that the United States would collapse in 2025 come true?In this fast-changing world, is it possible for any prophecy to come true, or is it just a false guess?
In the international landscape of 1980, the Soviet Union and the United States were two opposing superpowers, leading NATO and the Warsaw Pact, respectively. At that time, the Soviet Union was in turmoil due to policy mistakes, but it was still seen as a powerful existence by the outside world. The Soviet Union's military power was formidable, from tanks and artillery to airplanes and missiles. During World War II, the Soviet Union, under the leadership of Stalin, was victorious and played a key role in the reconstruction of the post-war world order, despite intense pressure from Germany.
However, after Stalin's death, Khrushchev came to power and exposed the problems of the Stalin era through "secret reports", which caused unrest in Soviet society. Despite this, the Soviet Union's national power was still strong, and its influence on the international stage should not be underestimated. At the same time, the United States faces its own challenges. Although the United States in the sixties and seventies had a strong economic heritage, the Vietnam War bogged it down, and the domestic anti-war movement was on the rise, and its international reputation was damaged.
Against this backdrop, John Galton's prophecy stands out. Not only did he predict the collapse of the Soviet Union, but he also declared that the United States would also face collapse. His views were not universally accepted at the time. In fact, his prediction came at a turning point in history, at a time when both the Soviet Union and the United States were in internal and external difficulties.
John Galton's ** is not untargeted. He made his judgment on the basis of the internal contradictions and policy mistakes of the Soviet Union, as well as the international status and internal contradictions of the United States. In his opinion, the strength of the Soviet Union was only superficial, and its internal corruption and policy mistakes would lead to its eventual collapse. With regard to the United States, he also pointed to economic and military problems, arguing that American hegemony would not be sustainable.
History proves that his ** about the USSR is accurate. The collapse of the Soviet Union marked the end of an era and a fundamental change in the world landscape. And his attitude towards the United States remains to be tested by time.
In reviewing John Galton's prophecy, we have to think about the complexity and inadmissibility of history. Both the collapse of the Soviet Union and the current situation in the United States show the fragility of the fate of the country and the instability of the world pattern. Although John Galton's prophecy was considered fanciful at the time, his views and analysis revealed deep international dynamics and internal contradictions.
Just as history is always changing, any prophecy has the potential to come true. John Galton's prophecy reminds us that neither the nation nor the individual can ignore internal problems and external challenges. It remains to be seen whether the United States will collapse in 2025, as he has **. But it is undeniable that history has always given us profound inspiration for the inevitability of change and the importance of adaptation. After all, it is only through continuous change and adaptation that we can better face the challenges and opportunities of the future.