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CCCA_V4No4_Q&A-FIN.qxd:CCCA_V1No1_Profile-FIN.qxd 10/27/10 2:59 PM Page 16 Q & A By Yves Faguy Playing the Q: First, could you explain what are the characteris- tics of a Second World country? A: There are two categories or traits.The first is the extent to which the superpowers — the U.S., the EU, and China — are the geopolitical suitors who are looking to woo a SecondWorld country, coerce it, and bring it into their sphere of influence, or their gravitational pull,as I call it.So the importance of that state or region makes a country part of the Second World.The other is a domestic trait or attribute and that is the extent to which there is inequality between the First World part of the country, and the ThirdWorld part of the country,that co-exist in a way that you real- ly don’t know which part will prevail.Will there be a tide that lifts all boats and it becomes a FirstWorld country? Like in Malaysia.Or will it become a country that is so hopelessly fractured politically, eco- nomically, socially, that it’ll probably descend into the Third World? Like Egypt orVenezuela. Q: Two other ideas seem to emerge from your writing. First, there’s a power shift amongst superpowers — with America in relative decline — contending for influence in the Second World. And second, there’s a power shift from nations to cities. A: I don’t believe in a world in which China replaces America, the Pacific replaces the Atlantic, or the East replaces the West. I really resent those caricatures of the world. It will be a world in which America, Europe and China are all relatively equal centres of grav- ity. India, Russia, Japan and Brazil will also be very important. Regional constellations such as a North American union, a union of South American nations,the Arab League,the African Union,the European Union — these will also be very important. Military power, economic power, soft power, will also be major factors. All