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| The Next Superpower | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 3 2009, 02:58 PM (1,023 Views) | |
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Jan 3 2009, 02:58 PM Post #1 |
Worst Member of the Year
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As of right now, the USA is the only superpower nation in the world; being the undisputed most powerful nation in the world, and miles ahead of the next in line it makes them more of an omnipower. I'd like to know if you guys believe this status can last very long, if their economy is on the brink of collapse? in 5.. 10 maybe even 20 years do you still see the USA as the sole superpower of the world? Do you see other countries rivaling the USA? Or do you see 2 completley different superpowers on top of the world, with the USA back where they were in the early 20th century. |
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| * Mitas | Jan 3 2009, 03:04 PM Post #2 |
It truly was a Shawshank redemption
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Russia's recent move to cut off gas supplies to the Ukraine shows that they are in a very good position. Their vast resources make them very important in European economy, and their decision to cut supplies to Ukraine has put the rest of Europe on alert. Other than that I'm not too informed on global events. However like you said, the USA are in a very troubling financial situation and this could possibly cause their status as the World Superpower to become endangered. |
 "Then you've got the chance to do better next time." "Next time?" "Course. Doing better next time. That's what life is." | |
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| Meowth | Jan 4 2009, 12:46 PM Post #3 |
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Other countries already do rival the USA, Russia and China both play a stong part, remember when Russia invaded Gorgia, the USA couldn't do anything about it. Mostly fear with a conflic with Russia. The USA Missile Defence system has also been posponed several times because of Russia threatening interferance. USA are the only Super Power in the world if you can't inperprate the news or if the news you are watching/reading is very biased. It's pretty obviously the US aren't the only Super Power. They don't have much influance in the eastern countries for a start. |
 
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Jan 4 2009, 05:41 PM Post #4 |
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Worst Member of the Year
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I don't think neither of those two countries are Superpowers. Nor do they rival the USA on the big stage; YET. I think Russia and China may also do alot of damage in the future, Though both have their problems. To start, I'd say that China is only an economy giant. It's not the first time we see an economy giant with a big population, who is predicted to be a superpower. In the 1980's, Japan began mass producing alot like China is at the moment; people were predicting Japan to be the next big thing. It didn't happen. Now, what I can't forget is that 25% or so of Chinese Trade is dealt to USA and Europe. What happens if they stop buying from China? What should happen if the USA decides to not open sweat shops in China; who's to pump the economy? Just a say, right now the population of China is not very strong to be a superpower. If you thought the Standard of living in the US was bad, go to China. There is a poverty stricken majority. Not much different you'd expecting from the working man's paradise where everybody equally makes 2 cents an hour. Russia rivals the US only in Military and Energy. Their economy, though fast growing and not in debt; is not very large compared and is smaller than even Canada's! Although In my eyes Russia is a Nuclear Superpower, Military Superpower and an Energy Superpower only. If you want compare Russia to the USA, then compare China to Japan. I think the only thing stopping Russia from gaining superpower status is loyalty. You can't call Russia a superpower, especially when it's sphere of influence has drastically been teared about in the past 15 years. Most of the former Eastern Bloc has either joined the EU or NATO, thus distancing themselves from Russia. Also, Russia's population has been shrinking due to age and leaving. In my opinion, a large country like Russia's biggest fear should be loosing it's population, in a big country like that; if you want to be a superpower you better make sure you have alot of people to defend alot of land. Or use it's resources. On another note, they have their own population who is rebeling against them, see the Dagestan region or the Chechen rebels. Russia has alot of empty land which can be used for agriculture in the warm seasons, and among other things, sports resorts in the cold years. It would be very un-democratic if the leaders claim Russia to be a superpower over the Military. Isn;t Russia a democracy? Sure Russia can win a war against the US, for starters they have the largest Air Force & Nuke arsenal in the world. But that's not what I'm going against. Edited by .Punxx, Jan 4 2009, 05:45 PM.
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| * Mitas | Jan 4 2009, 10:55 PM Post #5 |
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It truly was a Shawshank redemption
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You said that Russia is a military superpower and an energy superpower. Surely those two factors alone make them a 'superpower'. The world at the minute is desperately attempting ways to produce energy with the impending loss of fossil fuels, so the fact that Russia is an energy superpower puts them in a strong position. Also, militarily (probably not a word :P) Russia have an advantage over most countries. Even the Usa, the apparent only current 'superpower', are scared of any conflict with them judging by Kyonko's example of the Georgian invasion. These two capablities make them a very strong force in world power. |
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"Then you've got the chance to do better next time." "Next time?" "Course. Doing better next time. That's what life is." | |
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| Rockman | Jan 5 2009, 02:22 PM Post #6 |
hoighty-toighty
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The problem with your argument is you're assuming that the US won't bounce back in 10 years. Making it just that, an opinion and a assumption. |
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Jan 5 2009, 10:46 PM Post #7 |
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Worst Member of the Year
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that is irrelevant to this debate anyhow. Whether or not the USA won't bounce back within 10 years, who's to say there won't be another superpower won't emerge on the world stage? I doubt you'd think it's impossible to have two or even three co-existing superpowers, as we always lived in a world with co-existing spheres of influence. So I'll take it that you just misunderstood the topic title. The Next Superpower . No where did I say that in order for another superpower to emerge, the USA must collapse. Whether or not that does happen, I point to some facts that shows stability in Russia and China's world status, and potential superpower insurgery. Although in my opinion for the USA, things will get worse. Before they get better. Although neither China or Russia are "super" enough to be considered superpowers yet. Coming back to you Mita;
sure, being in Russia's position could make you a great power on the globe. Anything more would be over rating the country. In order to be a superpower, keep in mind that as well as military and energy, you need to have a world class economy. Russia's economy is no where near world class, and is a far cry for the days of the USSR. Sure, they have the energy, although don't forget they are not a monopoly. the Arabian Penninsula is also not very far behind Russia when it comes to having selling power energy. Therefore; to say Russia's economy is incredible, just based on it's energy status is not right. Although this brings me to my next paragraph. Don't forget that in order to be a superpower you also need cultural influence. Russias influence on the world is again; a far cry from their once "superpwerful" self. To give you an idea of influence think about NATO. NATO is basically a treaty which binds together a league of nation wide allies; that's it that's all. There was a time when NATO co-existed with another arms treaty; The Warsaw Pact; which consisted of the Soviet Union and other Communist influenced states. Here's a quick picture that could illustrate an even quicker idea. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Cold_War_Map_1980.png Anyways, at this very moment, the majority of the Warsaw pact has distanced themselves from Russia, and joined NATO or the EU. Russia once had influence over them, and considered them an ally they could trust their country with. Not anymore. Russia doesn't have much influence on the world at this moment, if not enough to be considered superpower. I mean; don't dare compare Russia's sphere of influence to even the United Kingdom's. Although, we'd have to see how much influence their energy can gain them. In my opinion that's the key. They could start by gaining the Ukraine. The Ukraine isn't a bad start; with a population of over 40 milliom, and a potential military state, geographically closer to Europe; the Ukraine may strategically be a good place for the Russians to begin gaining their influence back and begin their resurgence to superpower status.
1st of all, Kyonko used a bad example. -Kyonko 1) USA was already in the midst of two major military coalitions in Afghanistan and Iraq 2) Russia never invaded Georgia in the intent of begining a reign of terror; in other words. The Russians were not the bad guys, such as the media portrayed them. The Russians put their arms up against the Georgian (autonmous) region of South Ossetia because the Georgians were apparently killing hundreds or thousands of Russian citizens who lived there. Ethnical clensing; Isn't that a form of genocide? The Russians were doing the right thing; defending their people. Why would the USA have to intervene... surley the Russians have enough military capasity to handle their own problem right? *If I'm not mistaking the only good friends Russia has at the moment is N.Korea Venezuela Iran Cuba Edited by .Punxx, Jan 5 2009, 10:49 PM.
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| Meowth | Jan 7 2009, 12:35 PM Post #8 |
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Iraq is an illigal war though.
I never said they where the "bad guys" and I never did at the time, I recall you did though in a topic. The US president didn't approve of Russias force though, but they didn't want to threaten Russia with millitary force, no country did. |
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Jan 7 2009, 05:29 PM Post #9 |
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Worst Member of the Year
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Yeah, but it doesn't really matter whether Iraq is illegal or not. US for example, had a major coalition in Iraq and Afghanistan. It would take more of an effort for the US military to redirect their troops from the Persian Gulf and Al-Quada to Russia. What would be the point to getting involved in nothing but a military conflict when you're in the middle of two major coalitions, which have been going on for almost ten years? The USA didn't do anything about it because it had no business getting involved with the cross border affairs of two other democracies, at least not while some of the USA's own allies supported Russia's stance, or took on neutrality. All in all, Russias military defaults were also proven during this conflict. On the way to the Ossetian front some Russian Patrol cars broke down. They broke down because apparently Russia's technology has gone down with the collapse of the USSR. The Patrol cars being used were most probably built prior to the 1970's, that's my guess. Point being, their arsenal may be big and powerful, but their technology is quite deteriorated. The solution to that is to pump their economy. See how it's all connected. You can't consider Russia an all powerful superpower, based on just 1 or 2 essentials. Everything is connected. Although once (if) Russia gets their economy to a satisfactory level, they'll be gaining alot of influence back, and on that track they can upgrade their defaults. There's your superpower. Edited by .Punxx, Jan 7 2009, 05:31 PM.
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| Rockman | Jan 7 2009, 09:34 PM Post #10 |
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hoighty-toighty
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What's your point? |
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JAke is a copyright of Spazo and Pickle Flavored Fudge Pops inc. | |
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| + Rebel X | Jan 7 2009, 09:57 PM Post #11 |
 
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Russian Federation, China, and The United Kingdom will always be considered for rivaling the USA. If any nations stands beside them it's those 3. UAE has become very powerful but we all know its there wealth and oil that makes them noticable. The oasis in the desert is what they're France, India, Pakistan and North Korea are stats with nuclear power and shouldn't be overlooked. I mean this is kind of a silly discussion, no nation has really changede since the cold war ended. I mean just look at who the powers were in WWI and WWII. If you want to get technical then this could go on forever. We can't judge eglands navy vs russias army and chinas numbers vs the usas power. Powers havn't changed since the 80's. The only thing that has happened is that new "Players" of the world have improved and develpoed there nations to become more powerful. Like Iran and Syria and so on... |
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| Tomdoodle | Jan 7 2009, 10:06 PM Post #12 |
 
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I wouldn't say the UK are up there with America, we just like to follow them around the place and pretend we're big dogs, when really we're teeny tiny chihuahuas in America's handbag or er, war or something. Anyway, I wouldn't say that America is the only undisputed superpower either, Russia and China are definitely up there. |
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Jan 7 2009, 10:12 PM Post #13 |
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Worst Member of the Year
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Thesis: Russia is not a superpower --> at the moment <-- USA; rivalved by none other super powers.
China. roughly 20 years ago China was not an economy giant.
I already explained how at the moment, no one rivals the USA's omni power status.
Alright. Great Powers in 1919 British Empire Empire of Japan[47] France Kingdom of Italy Great Powers in 1945 Republic of China France Soviet Union (also referred to as a superpower) United Kingdom (until the 1950s also referred to as a superpower[48]) United States (also referred to as a superpower) What?.. anyways
South Africa once possesed nuclear weapons too, and they aren't that much of a great player. one more thing;
What!?  nobody in this topic compared England's Navy to Russia's army..*EDIT; Rebel, to be honest. I kinda didn't understand most of your post. Edited by .Punxx, Jan 7 2009, 10:14 PM.
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| Famicommander | Jan 8 2009, 06:15 AM Post #14 |
Jukebox hero
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Russia is basically a third world country with first world weapons. They are trying their best to reestablish the USSR (just my take on their recent actions), but from an economic standpoint they are going to become less and less relevant as time goes on. The economy relies mostly on oil and trade with the European Union and the United States. They've succeeded in pissing off the entire world, so their trade options are going to start falling off the table. And oil is huge right now, but it's a market with a time limit that's ticking away fast. More and more alternative fuels are sprouting up and the United States is about to start drilling more and more. And it's no secret that most modern countries (like the EU, Canada, Japan, Korea, Australia) would rather trade with the United States than a hostile Russia. China is going to be severely impeded in coming years by their population control. If two people are only allowed to have one child, then a generation later the majority of the country is elderly. And it only gets worse and worse as time goes by. The Baby Boomers and the United Kingdom are a prime example. Though the UK is still a very prosperous country, they are beginning to have problems supporting their elderly. Blind people and Alzheimer's patients are already starting to get the shaft from NHS, and it's primarily because supporting those who are no longer able to work is costing far too much money. But China is going to get hit even worse, because their Communist government is so anti-enterprise (though they have been easing off in recent years). In a restricted economy innovation is also restricted, and as time goes on China will be producing less and less useful products. And they'll no longer be the country others call on to produce cheap goods in high quantities, because China's government is going to have to tax and tariff more to support the elderly. Jobs and factories will start migrating to India. The United States hasn't done much to help its standing in the world since the Reagan administration, but they'll continue to be the largest economic and military power for the foreseeable future. This is not to say that they always will be, but at the moment no other country can produce and consume goods at the same rate we can. And with our military budget becoming ever-more bloated, don't expect anything to change on that front. I think the biggest surprise in this area will be Germany, though. The country has come a long, long way since the Wall came down. Germans are working longer hours, becoming more productive, spending more money, and generally prospering. I expect the United Kingdom and Israel to maintain their current levels of power and influence for the foreseeable future. |
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Jan 8 2009, 07:01 AM Post #15 |
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Worst Member of the Year
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Can't believe I didn't mention that. That hit the hammer on the nail right there. Along with her Air Force that is smaller than none other; Russia is wide spread with poverty and crime syndicates.
don't forget China's so called communist regime has an economy that is pumped by capitalist values.
Very good point again, I over looked the Germans as well. I would name them economical great powers. Their economy is really going strong right now, I wouldn't be surprised if it's the strongest in Europe by a long shot over the next in line. Just imagine if they use their technology to expand their military. They are basically one atom bomb away from being one of the world's great power nations. with their technology and money, it could be even more powerful than the Third Reich. Edited by .Punxx, Jan 8 2009, 07:14 AM.
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