Pages and Perspectives
Dimension Based Evaluation
Week (1) Current Affairs
Guidelines to prepare. Read carefully and prepare.
Level: Gradual to speed-up to advance for assigning tasks.
We will do 25-30 topics in the current affairs course. I believe if you do the
following dimensions, you will not be content deficient. Just open these
dimensions, expand, and apply them to multiple topics. Your first mock will be
from the following 2 topics. Good luck
Dimensions to cover this week
Topic-1
1): New World Order: Indicators and Opportunities
a): In International System the Authoritative Implementation of Values is enforced by those who
possess hegemony —with the backsliding of democracy, breakdown of liberal order, rise of
populism, culture of tariffs, failing power of USA, Isolationist impulses, and polarization this
hegemony is divided from unipolar enforcement of order to multipolar state actors and
determinants of decision-making in the cluster of states system.
b): Why multipolar world is an imagined utopia—USA is military giant (Annual spending of
military expenditures USA is 767 trillion dollars and China's is 242 trillion dollars), economic
powerhouse (25 trillion dollars USA and comparatively China's 18.3 trillion dollars), and above
all the international actor to devise, strategies, and institutionalize value-system of the world.
Brooks International found that among 2000 corporations in the world, US firms are ranked first
in global profit shares in 74% of sectors whereas Chinese companies ranked 11% sector.
Moreover, the technological sector is also dominated by West with 53% share.
World order is always led by those who have monopoly over the obligation, who
knows how to make other obligated to their will.
c): Unstoppable China—Why China is becoming a reality since 2000—Chinese GDP increased
from $1.2 trillion to $17.9 trillion. China is now trading partner of most nations even in Europe.
Since 2008 1/3rd growth of global GDP is occurred in China.
d): Multipolarity as an arrived equation in the global order—Rise of Middle Powers:
Minilateralism, South-South Cooperation, Increased demand of Eastern market, Youth in East
versus Aging population in West, changing trade partners, Tariffs and global response, De-
Dollarization, India an emerging economy, doubling consumer markets in East, and foreign direct
investment in the South countries. The New World Order will not be shaped by dividing a
continent but a small device in pocket of Millions-Potential of Disruptive and Transformative
Technologies in the making and breaking circumstances of New World Order and sidelining the
Unipolar Order respectively.
e): Lessons for Pakistan—Pakistan should secure energy, food supply, and technology-intensive
infrastructure from neighboring countries, opening trade markets and diversification of economic
opportunities with regional economies in the changing world of order. Pakistan can explore energy
options in Central Asian states and Russia. In multipolar world, we can attract new economic
partnerships and foreign direct investment in manufacturing, infrastructure and cultural sectors.
Russia-China led World Order and coming opportunities for India-Pak detente. In the era of
computing and innovation we need more energy to meet domestic needs for research and
development therefore Pakistan should drive foreign policy with respect to energy, innovation and
sustainability in the future.
Topic-2
2): Unstoppable East—Why does the future belong to the East?
a): The region's economic growth, demographic composition, innovation, development, and socio-
political superiority give a competitive edge at the global stage. Academic superiority, institutional
organization, and post-modern realities still belong to the West.
b): BRICS and expanding membership. New Development Bank in East which seeded $50 billion.
BRICS countries develop their own global payment infrastructures and central bank digital
currencies. China and Russia trade quadrupled 30% rise in 2024.India's trade with Russia increased
by 250%. Apps like Deep seek rival to ChatGPT with more impact with cost-effectiveness, Grab
(Singapore app), GoJek(Indonesia). Such apps are changing world tech monopoly across the globe.
Role of China and Russia in diplomacy increased. Emerging role of China as a mediator from East.
c): The East is home to some of the largest and fastest-growing consumer markets in the world—
800 million Millennials in East as compared to 160 million in US. Moreover, export-driven
markets in East helps to position herself as an emerging actor in global supply chain. China 50%
of global chemical lithium,70% of rare earth metals,80% cobalt refining,90% of refining rare earth
metals all central to battery production. Out of Global 500 Research and Development —China
holds 31.5% and USA 26.5%.
d): Development of energy, communication networks, and innovation with Belt and Road
Initiative. Investment in human capital and education i.e. Taiwan, Japan and China. Multilateral
approach of China with international cooperation and dialogue.
Presently, the world is close to unipolar in military capabilities, oligopoly in terms of R&D, and
multipolar in economies; It is dispersed on transnational issues of generally still bears the imprint
of European cultures and values. (World Bank)
e): Why is it important to empower middle powers for global progress? •Minilateralism fosters
mutually beneficial cooperation among middle powers, solve bureaucratic obstacles and making a
significant impact on global progress.
Still, The America captures economic, cultural, financial resources coupled
with innovative prowess—US leads all other nations in Noble Prize, chip design
to soft biochemistry, and language recognition.
Suggestions:
1): Read World in Disarray by Richard Hass
2): Suicide of the West by Muhammad Wajahat Sultan Express Tribune
3): Will Eastern Order Surface by Muhammad Wajahat Sultan (Modern
Diplomacy)
4): The World is Flat: A brief history of the 21st century by Thomas Friedman.
5): The New Asian Hemisphere: The Irresistible Shift of Global Power to the
East by Kishore Mahbuani
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