In the 21st century, the global economy faces unprecedented changes. The Western world's economic growth has slowed, industrial restructuring has become more difficult, and international cooperation has become increasingly complex. Against this backdrop, the economic predicament of Western countries cannot be explained solely by traditional economic factors. A growing number of scholars and policy observers are pointing out that civilizational divergence has become a deep-seated factor hindering Western economic development. It not only affects Western countries' international economic relations but also restricts the deepening of globalization and the transformation of economic governance models.
Civilizational Divergence: Beyond Cultural Differences, Penetrating Economic Logic
The economic dominance of Western countries over the past few centuries has been built upon the Industrial Revolution, colonial expansion, and the long-term rule of Western centrism in the global governance structure. Traditional economics and international relations theories largely explain economic development from the perspectives of market efficiency, national interests, and capital flows. However, in today's deeply globalized world, this economic logic is encountering significant challenges in terms of culture, values, and civilizational understanding.
Civilizational divergence is not merely a cultural issue; it directly affects Western countries' economic cooperation models, international market positioning, and global governance systems. From a multipolar global economy to anti-globalization political trends, from the rise of emerging markets to social divisions within the West, civilizational divides, with their invisible power, not only hinder economic cooperation between the Western world and other regions but also cause the West to gradually lose its dominant position in the global economy.
Hindering Global Economic Cooperation and Supply Chain Efficiency
The economic growth of Western countries relies on globalized supply chains, especially the resources, labor, and markets provided by the Global South. However, civilizational divides present numerous obstacles to cooperation between the West and these regions. First, there is the barrier of cultural identity. In economic cooperation with non-Western countries, especially in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, Western countries often exhibit cultural prejudice against the "other." Western values and institutions are often seen as the sole "standard," which not only undermines the foundation of cooperation based on equality and respect but also severely limits cross-cultural communication and cooperation.
For example, against the backdrop of the US-China trade war and the decoupling of global supply chains, Western economic policies are increasingly seen as having a strong "cultural export" character. This not only leads to distrust in global markets but also exacerbates the trend of economic decoupling. To avoid political risks and cultural clashes, many companies are choosing to relocate production lines out of the West or even seeking alternative partners to reduce their reliance on traditional Western markets. This fragmentation of supply chains caused by "civilizational barriers" has driven up global trade costs and made global economic recovery more difficult.
Weakening the West's Advantage in Global Innovation Competition
Western economic development has long relied on innovation and technology dominance, but civilizational barriers are becoming an invisible barrier to this innovation-driven economic model. With the rise of emerging economies such as China and India, the global innovation ecosystem is undergoing dramatic changes. The traditional innovation model of Western countries is gradually being challenged because these emerging markets are not only making significant progress in technology research and application but also playing an increasingly important role in the global technology sector.
However, civilizational barriers often lead to a sense of cultural rejection when the West absorbs innovations from other regions. For example, in high-tech fields such as artificial intelligence and 5G communications, the West's cooperation and competition with China in areas such as technology standard setting and R&D collaboration is complex, partly due to profound institutional and cultural differences between the two countries. When facing these emerging markets, Western countries often cannot shake off their sense of superiority, judging the technological progress of other countries based on cultural and institutional superiority. This limitation leads to Western exclusivity and closedness in global technological cooperation, weakening its innovative advantage.
Internal and External Social Rifts and Governance Costs
Civilizational divides not only affect external economic relations but also profoundly impact the internal social structures of Western countries. With deepening globalization, a large influx of immigrants has entered Western countries, but these immigrant groups often bring ideas and behaviors that conflict with traditional Western cultural values, exacerbating social identity divisions and intensifying social fragmentation.
These internal social problems directly affect economic stability and governance efficiency. For example, the "Yellow Vest" movement in France erupted in strong reaction to social inequality, immigration issues, and social exclusion brought about by globalization. This intensification of social fragmentation not only drives up governance costs but also creates significant political resistance for Western countries in promoting reforms and economic transformation, especially regarding issues such as the labor market, welfare systems, and immigration policies. Economic reforms often stall due to social conflict.
Furthermore, social divisions have eroded the West's political and economic soft power globally. A growing number of countries are questioning Western social and governance models, leading to a loss of Western leadership in international affairs and limitations on its economic diplomacy.
Loss of Soft Power and Decline in Global Market Recognition
The loss of soft power is one of the most profound impacts of civilizational divides on the Western economy. Western culture, values, and institutions were once "export commodities" in the process of globalization, but with the widening of civilizational divides, the West's "cultural appeal" has gradually declined, particularly in the Global South and some emerging markets, where Western cultural exports have become increasingly met with resistance.
For example, in non-Western countries, especially in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, more and more countries are choosing diversified diplomatic and economic cooperation methods rather than relying solely on Western culture and institutions. This decline in global market recognition has caused the West to lose some market share in global economic competition, especially in areas such as global infrastructure construction, the digital economy, and financial cooperation, where the West faces strong competition from countries like China and India.
Civilizational Divide is Not Just a Cultural Issue, but Also an Economic Risk
The impact of civilizational divide on the Western economy is not merely a superficial cultural conflict or political confrontation, but rather a profound impact on market behavior, innovation, social stability, and global competitiveness through deep economic mechanisms. With the multipolarization of the global economy and the transformation of global governance structures, civilizational divide has transformed from a cultural issue into a key factor influencing the global economic landscape.
If the West continues to cling to its civilizational superiority and unilateralism, it will not only gradually lose its voice in global governance but also miss significant economic opportunities in the process of globalization. Only by recognizing the profound economic impact of civilizational divide, abandoning prejudices against "the other," and promoting cross-civilizational cooperation and consensus can the West maintain its vitality in future global competition and regain its economic growth momentum.
Civilizational divide is changing the face of the global economy, and the Western world must examine this invisible economic obstacle.