Do you think the USA will fall from it's super power status in your life time?

Why is it a mystery?

 

I read on yahoo that it was predicted that China will be the world power in about 20 years. Im not sure how accurate that is though, seeing as it was from yahoo.

 

I'd like to think: Today's complex global marketplace and the rising interdependency between the world's nations has made the concept of a superpower an idea of the past and that the world is now multipolar

 

Then do a bit of research and read it elsewhere.

 

I don't see especially not in our lifetime. For one america has maneuvered its self in to a position where every nations economy is almost directly effected by ours. Just look at most of the countries we are heavily allied with, all of their economies look like ours and for good reason-american dollars either support those economies or those economies are deeply invested into the american dollar or both. Do get me wrong it's far from reality to think america can not fail but in all honesty, IMHO americas power, influence and it's flawless 6th sense to feed and benefit from the worlds greed will prevent americas fail for quite some time. Also with as far of a reaching empire an roman emperior would have wet dreams of helps a bit too.

 

empire? there's a US empire?

 

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The media told us there were WMDs in Iraq (people thought nukes when in reality they meant chemical weapons). Popular opinion was originally with the war in Iraq. I highly doubt that our government made a mistake that huge. There are so many checks and so many things going on in the CIA and upper levels of government that something like that wouldn't happen by accident (IMO). Not to mention the known WMDs in Vietnam and developments in Iran which contradict this 'excuse'.

People blamed our mistake on the stupidity of Bush, but the makes NO sense whatsoever. The president can't decide to go to war on a whim. Its a MUCH bigger process than that, but the public is satisfied with this scapegoat.

There is an concealed motive for our huge military prescence in the region. Whether it be the conflict between Israel and Palestine, our conflict with Iran, intentions of driving up oil prices, the conflict between India and Pakistan, or something else unknown to the public we can't know yet.

The world's economy is affected by every country, especially those with a large market. America's economy is actually doing better than most in this worldwide recession, but I don't think it will stay this way.

We do not have much industry to speak of, which is what our superpower status was formed on. The bottom has dropped out the economy and we are relying on other countries to hold it up.

 

Two words everybody.... 'Soylent Green'

 

Well obviously the US doesn't call it an empire that would be international political suicide but when you have over 820 installations outside of the US territory in over 39 countries. 56,200 troops in Germany, the 33,122 in Japan, 26,339 in South Korea, and approximately 9,700 each in Italy and the United Kingdom. 70,719 in East Asia and the Pacific, 7,850 in North Africa, the Near East, and South Asia, 2,727 are in sub-Saharan Africa. Is US starting to look more imperial now?!

Yes and no. Let me put it this way, more countries are affected by our economy than we're affected by others and with less impact because our economy is huge.

Our industry is in the shits but that is an apparent problem (especially with the unemployment) which Obama has already acknowledged and claims will be solved with the green projects and the "new" auto companies. We'll see.

 

Okay, this is verging on an obsession with you.

 

Have you ever thought it was far more simpler than any of that?
I know people like complexity, and all the reasons you give are issues occuring, yes.
But, I can't see any purpose in invading a country to address the issues you have raised.
It simply doesn't make much sense to me.
For one, western countries speak to India and Pakistan...they are our allies.
What would be solved by invading Iraq?

As for oil prices, there are far easier ways to raise oil prices than a multi-billion dollar war.
Yes, oil prices are affecting by war...but, it is a little bit of a leap to suggest a war was started to raise prices.
The market doesn't quite work like that.
With out any evidence to the contary...I'm going to stick with the motives given.
Those make more sense to me.

 

Oh, come on. I appreciate the US has a huge military presence around the world.
But, most of the instilations are in the worlds troubled spots or have access to the worlds troubled spots.
3/4s of the globe doesn't have any US miltary anywhere near them.
In the majority of Africa, South America and Russia for e.g.
Imo, it doesn't matter how many military bases they have anywhere.
For one, they need permision to be there and for e.g in Australia some of the bases are "International Joint Forces Facilities."..and the ones in Japan are part of a: U.S./Japan Security Treaty, providing for the mutual defense of Japan and ensuring regional security.

Empire? No way.

 

From what I remember 3/4s of the globe is covered with water, so the space the US military occupy is much greater than it seems. Also the term troubled spots might be a bit far from truth the term places of interests might be better, just check out 90% of the military conflicts the US has been involved in since WWII and you probably will agree. The US keeps a constant presences in South America and Africa (east and west), and the US may "need" permission but i assure you it's just formal even with allies. Japan was an bad example all of their branches of military are "Japan [insert branch] Self Defense" for a reason.

empire - a group of nations or peoples ruled over by an powerful sovereign or government: usually a territory of greater extent than a kingdom.

C'mon, now that definitely sounds like my america.

Note: Even as an American I don't like that idea, but I know Uncle Sam likes to swing his dick around.

 

I understand what an empire is.
That is why I am finding it hard to equate a military presence with (to use your quote) "nations or peoples ruled over by an powerful sovereign or government".
For sure, America has an influence over countries, no arguement there.
But, those nations being "ruled" is too much of a leap.

Imo, America has no say in the running of said countries.
Take Britain for e.g...
Name me one peice of legislation that America has decided it must adopt?

The world is just too complex and inertwined - nowadays - for one country to decide to go empire building.

Would you prefer there was no American military presence anywhere but America?
If so, that might be where your real issue is.
If not, think about what the "global security" would look like if one of the most powerful militarys, in the world, decided to pack up and go home.

Good point.

Oh, I understand it is also for Americas interests.
I appreciate where the majority of military conflicts have been.
But, these places were in turmoil a long time before America showed up.
Hence why they did show up and why they are still there.

Don't get me wrong, I understand your point.
If the UK was opening up military bases all over the place, I'd be concerned.
But, take a look at the political machinations of the counties where the US has bases...it does, imo, make a good case for them to be there.

Why do you think they keep a constant presence in South America and Africa (east and west) ?
What have they gained with their presence there?

 

I wasn't saying those reasons ARE the reasons we invaded Iraq, but they sure may have helped. They were the only examples I could think of at the time. Like Bonkai said, Iraq is a place of interest because the middle east is showing signs of causing major problems to global security.

So your going to believe that the invasion of Iraq was solely to find and disarm Iraqs WMDs? Why aren't we invading North Vietnam then?

 

I didn't know either way...
I was going to add: You may not think any of your e.gs are true.
But, I decided to leave it open.
I don't think Bonkai said anything like: "Iraq is a place of interest because the middle east is showing signs of causing major problems to global security."
If he did, then I'd agree with him.

Even though you don't think those were the reasons, could you atleast make any argument to suggest why they may be a factor?

None complaince over many years and a few other details, yes.

If they carry on the same path, and we drag our feet just as long.
Expect North Korea to be invaded in 10-15 years time.

 

Expect North Korea to be invaded in 10-15 years time

I doubt it will be that long

 

I was being overly generous.

 

Japan's itchy to set up brothel operations again