Former UK minister in the coalition government under David Cameron and chief economist at Shell, brings all his knowledge, common sense and experience in Eclipsing the West, defining political and economic issue of our era, relations between the west and the rising Asian countries like China and India. As the International order begins to crumble in the Western-dominated world we have known for the past three hundred years is coming to an end, as America withdraws from its role as enforcer of the international order, other countries are moving in to fill the void. 

Accounting for more than a third of the world’s population, China and India have the potential to wield enormous economic, and political power. China is already vying with the US for the top spot in the global economy, and on some measures has surpassed it. By the middle of the century India may be number two. But how will these countries navigate their growing roles on the world stage? What are the implications for commerce, international law and the fight against climate change?

Vince Cable has followed China and India for decades, first as a professional economist and later as a senior government minister. In Eclipsing the West he draws on the latest data of a lifetime of political and economic experience to offer a compelling account of what the rise of the Asian super states means for the future.

Global West confronting autocratic adversaries, led by a failing China, with India joining the democracies; a multi-polar world, with a rising China and a rising India and no hegemon, and a multilateral world in which there is no preeminent global power, self-interest and transactionalism dominate, and the threat of regional conflict increases; and a more functionally multilateral system in which a global disaster catalyzes countries to collectively manage challenges. By 2050 both China and India will have a much greater say in how the world works.

Cable argues that China and India, like the United States, countries that can play a disproportionate role in shaping the international system because of their geographic size, large and diverser populations, and economic capacity. Cable provides insight into China and India’s relative strengths and weaknesses, including metrics relating to inequality, state capacity, demographics, and productivity. How they are influencing global climate, trade and security arrangements. Eclipsing the West: China, India and the forging of a New World By Vince Cable, Manchester University Press  £20