Scholars, pundits, and plain old citizens of the globe are fond of talking about the “Post-American World” now on the rise. With the growing economies of non-Western countries, so the argument goes, American influence ain’t what it used to be. Emerging economic dynamos don’t need the U.S. the way they once did, so America better start winding down all that policing-the-globe stuff and all that American imposition of values and traditions, etc.

So: how is the “Post-American World” managing the current global food crisis?

On Friday, in a statement praising growing Asian economies, George Bush cited Asia’s rising wealth as a factor in the crisis: “When you start getting wealth, you start demanding better nutrition and better food. . . And so demand is high, and that causes the price to go up.” Bush recognizes rising Asian economies, and describes a cause-and-effect dynamic occurring within Asia. Very post-American, if you ask me.

How did it go over?

“India will not accept such interference. The government should take serious note of the U.S. president’s statement and give a strong reply,” said Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, vice president of India’s Hindu nationalist opposition party.

In other words. “How dare America ‘interfere’ by saying this is our problem?” For more “post-American” Indian opinion, you can read this editorial titled “U.S. Cooperation Can Lessen Food Crisis Food Crisis,” from India’s Economic Times.

Of course, America is “interfering” in the way it usually does on such occasion: by pledging exorbitant funds to save the lives of people in far-away lands. Bush just approved a $770 million aid package to keep people alive in the countries hardest hit. Let’s keep an eye out for any “post-Americans” ready to match it.