1945 ended 500 years of European domination. Before then, a small nation like the Netherlands could control the destiny of Indonesia. Post 1945, it was no longer tenable.

And neither was a "British India".

This was a more important event than the end of the Cold War.

Americans tend to think in terms of the "end of the Cold War" - as the more important marker.

Not true.

The Cold War marked the end of the last great European Empire, the Soviet Union.

But the process began in 1945.

The 21st Century will not be a return to 19th Century great power politics - or to the world that existing before Columbus in 1492.

No, the 21st Century represents uncharted territory - a globalized world, but not under the influence of the West.

I expect American scholars to have the most difficulty conceptualizing such a world - as the United States of America is the dominant Western power.

They simply lack the ability to conceptualize a global system not dominated by the West.

The first stage in this process is denial. American scholars are convinced that with the withdrawal of the US, the global system will collapse.

Their books are already best sellers.

They'll get through anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance before the end of this century.