We’re seeing what happens in a world without American leadership. It’s not pretty

For decades now, critics of the United States have complained about how it was throwing its weight around, trying to impose its form of capitalism and democracy on the rest of the world. Who gave Washington the right to act as the world’s policeman? Who put it in charge of global affairs and institutions? Who made Uncle Sam boss?Well, now we are seeing what happens in a world without American leadership. It is not pretty. Under Donald Trump, the United States is pulling back from its leading role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the United Nations and the World Trade Organization – pillars of the international order. He claims the U.S. has been played for a chump by other world powers, left to pick up the tab for maintaining the peace while its shores are flooded by products from other places. If things don’t change, the U.S. will simply take its ball and go home.