<p>I'm just wondering what other people think, but with all this stuff going on in the world, do you guys think USA will remain number one? If not, then which countries have the most potential of rising to power?</p>
<p>I would just like to say before everyone says "OMG CHINA!!!" to remember a good portion of China has neither telephone service nor paved roads. In terms of the United States being overcome, I believe it will be the same as Rome. External pressure will not cause the real downfall, but instead internal pressure will. </p>
<p>This internal pressure might come from a variety of economic or social factors. However, I think the USA's current rival is the European Union in terms of economic battleground. In addition, although the US and UK are allies, London is gaining on New York City as the financial capital of the world. This could be dangerous for Americans.</p>
<p>Look at world history...superpowers come and go. The US will not be on top forever. Roman Empire fell apart, British Empire dissolved, Nazi Germany was defeated, the Soviet Union ofcourse collapsed. It's arguable when the US gained its "superpower" status. They've only been the sole superpower for nearly 20 years...so even I could say that it will stay like this for awhile. But in my opinion, somebody else will catch up and overcome. Keep in mind, this isn't a terrible thing like many may think. The role of a superpower has changed greatly over time. Whereas the US and USSR were once on top because of their military power, there are now many more ways for any given nation to excel.</p>
<p>No.</p>
<p>China.</p>
<p>Brazil, China, India, and the EU all have the potential to rival the U.S.</p>
<p>Nothing lasts forever.</p>
<p>Except diamonds.</p>
<p>Just kidding.</p>
<p>The EU already rivals the US in any relevant comparison except military might.</p>
<p>China will soon overtake the US GDP (10-20 years) as well as India (30 years?). However, the standard of living within the US will still continue to be high (ie: 1st world standards) unless something catastrophic happens (multiple nuclear detonations within the US). The US ceasing to be #1 will not happen for any reason other than other countries catching up with us.</p>
<p>And Brazil will never be on the level as the US, they don't have the population. Similar to the fact that Japan will never be on the same level as the US.</p>
<p>Payne, it sounds like you are referring to "the EU" as one country.</p>
<p>They have been (and will continue to) integrate into one unit. However, that has its own set of problems that needs to be overcome (differences between various regions leading to a more rocky integration).</p>
<p>
[quote]
Payne, it sounds like you are referring to "the EU" as one country.
[/quote]
Stein, it sounds you think that is a trait which is actually relevant.</p>
<p>Gstein, Europe will never be one country. Each country will maintain its rich cultural heritage, its language, its cuisine, its educational system etc... </p>
<p>However, they have much in common and they realize that what is best for the collective is best for the individual member. They share a common destiny. Europe is essentially one race and one religion. Over 90% of the total population of Europe is caucasian and christian. And contrary to popular belief, the ehtnically European population is not shrinking. As such, several things are going to happen that is going to make the EU a cohesive entity...and as a result, an effective superpower:</p>
<p>1) In the coming years, Europe is most likely going to develop a single military entity, with a central command, strategy and vision. As it stands, France, the UK and Gemrany spend a total of $150 billion a year on their militaries. The rest of Europe spends roughly as much. Consolidating those figures will make for a $300+ annual millitary budget. That's huge.</p>
<p>2) The Euro will become the only official currency. </p>
<p>3) There is eventually going to be a common constitution and central legislative body.</p>
<p>In short, rogue EU states like England, Itlay, Poland and Spain are going to fall in line with France, German and the rest of the EU. Switzerland, Norway and Iceland will also join.</p>
<p>The only thing that can/will knock America down from its superpower status is the defeatism of the American left. There is no greater threat to the US, really.</p>
<p>On that note, vote Republican. But if your brain cells are so eroded that you must vote Democrat, at least be sure that the candidate is a patriot who truly desires to maintain America's dominance in the world. That a man still exists in the Democratic Party is questionable, however...</p>
<p>no (10 characters)</p>
<p>
Your location says Canada. This must be some sort of mistake.</p>
<p>I think in the future all the countries, etc. will follow suit w/ the EU and create their own unions, federations, etc. Sooner or later we'll all eventually be large federations or unions rather than individual countries, etc. This won't happen soon or anything, but i think it will happen somewhere down the road.</p>
<p>We may differentiate into three Federations, similar to 1984. :)</p>
<p>The U.S. will never stay the superpower forever. This isn't anti-american or anything like that, it's just history: every superpower in the world has fallen at one time or another. Spain, England, Russia, and probably the greatest superpower: Rome. </p>
<p>I'm pretty sure the U.S. reign as a superpower is a tiny fraction compared to how long Rome was, but I'm not positive. </p>
<p>China will probably become the next superpower because of their booming economy, which is what started America's (Industrial Revolution).</p>
<p>I disagree that the United States will step into the background at some point (compared to its position today). It seems that the US military has advanced so much in comparison to other nations (and the US spends so much more than other nations on military - more than the next 12 largest military spenders combined) that it will never stop being a military superpower on the international scene. Other nations may eventually become military superpowers as well, but regardles of that, I do not think the US military's growth will ever slow to the point that it falls behind any other nation. On the other hand, as others have said, there are obviously other ways for a nation to gain influence on the international scene - political and economical. I believe the European Union is certainly taking that direction now as it is the largest economic unit in the world (a/b $13 trillion GDP compared to US GDP of $12 trillion) and has already started to show its political presence in the dilemma with Iran, where the EU's foreign minister has been negotiating with Iran and is supposedly making diplomatic strides. Likewise in Asia, China has been gaining more political clout and, while the US still has a sphere of influence, many matters have been left to China.</p>
<p>I disagree, however, that Brazil will ever reach a status comparable to the nations/political units that I have listed.</p>
<p>Hah. This is amusing.</p>
<br>
<blockquote> <p>3) There is eventually going to be a common constitution and central legislative body.<<</p> </blockquote>
<br>
<p>The EU already has both of those, which is why it is weak at best and often paralyzed in dealing with problems. The EU has tried to deal with all the problems of integration by drafting measures about them into its constitution. That bureaucratic, inflexible, and unwieldy approach will never work in the long run.</p>
<p>A constitution should not attempt to directly govern the people. To be effective a constitution should be a broad framework that sets up a flexible system through which people can govern themselves. In its original format the US Constitution was was written on four pages. Using modern print and paper it is eight pages. By contrast, the current EU constitution is over 800 pages --> Never gonna work.</p>