I want to preface these thoughts by stating that I am in no way an expert on geopolitics, public policy or other other assorted fields. This post is mostly to provide a record of an interesting idea that I've been mulling for a while. This could be completely wrong. I hope so but I think I'm right.
Natural selection has long dictated that only the most adaptable species survive. Populations with the greatest genetic diversity and fastest reproduction cycle have higher probabilities of developing useful mutations that give them unique advantages or increase their odds of survival in new environments.
Take the common cold (Rhinoviruses) for example. It reproduces so quickly and frequently that it mutates at an incredible pace - hence yearly flu shots.
I believe that societies work the same way. Societies with the greatest diversity of thought and development cycles are the most likely to develop useful technological and cultural mutations that will help them not just survive but dominate..
One of America's greatest strengths is its diversity. Not just diversity of ethnicity, but of views and perspective as well. When brought together, the mutations derived from the mixing of values, ideas and opinions give rise to the social and technological innovations America is known for.
However, not all mutations are good. In nature, bad mutations are destroyed by a forcing function (predators, environment, disease). This prunes the gene pool so that only good mutations are passed on.
America has lacked any significant forcing function since the fall of the Soviet Union. This has allowed cancerous mutations to proliferate. Without a meaningful direction or target to provide purpose, unchecked mutations (polarization, racism, widespread resentment) have turned into a cancer that is slowly killing the host.
America has historically seen the most growth when faced with a comparable enemy (Axis Powers/Soviet Union). The period following WWII and during the Cold War was when some of the most significant economic and technologic progressed happened (rockets, WIFI, personal computers and more). These enemies were substantial enough threats to generate directed mutations, in which diversity could be directed towards a common goal: defeating the enemy.
In contrast, the US has historically fared terribly when fighting in asymmetrical warfare. The Vietnam War, Korean War, War on Terror and even the War on Drugs have largely been considered failures.
The looming Cold War with China provides a chance for "targeted mutation" in which American diversity can be harnessed towards a common goal. The Cold War will be the forcing mechanism that will help America develop the mutations and adaptations it needs survive in this ever changing ecosystem.