Or more likely, one civilisation conquers the rest and imposes its own cultural values over the conquered (China over Tibet), or there is such a calamity that cultural differences are rendered vestiges.
If this is correct, the nature of democracy means that with the right of freedom of expression and freedom of association means that democracy is unlikely to unite the world, and also that OWG (if it ever occurs) would not be democratic.
I want to comment on the idea that nationalism is increasing around the world. Yes it is…but the thing is, in order to be nationalistic you have to have a lot of interaction with other nations. Before the 1800s in Europe there was no such thing as nationalism, because people never traveled, never saw beyond their village, spoke vernacular languages, etc.
Nationalism is a symptom of increased internationalism. Without lots of interaction with other nations nationalism is impossible. China is a perfect example. You have to have a lot of contact with America and American culture before you can decide that you are in opposition to it.
One more thing. I don’t understand the assertion that western civilization is “in decline”. Yes, other regions are developing. That doesn’t mean that the west is declining, unless we believe in a zero-sum world…that any increase in prosperity in China neccesarily means a decrease somewhere else.
It depends how you measure it.
If you measure it in terms of control over geography and population, then “yes”, it must be, as a natural result of post-imperialism.
If you measure it in terms of rankings of economic output, then “no”, it isn’t.
I’ve used a political standard other than a percentile economic one.