Is the USA coming to its end?

[dbgtz]

But the EU ain't a country.

[RedStratocas]

I agree here with your conclusion (in that I don't believe China to be anywhere near ready for a true takeover - they had an attempt at a big revolution a few years back that fizzled out because they simply couldn't afford for it to spread through the whole country) but I'd argue against you on the idea of "the freer the nation, the more prosperous it may be". Prosperous in terms of average wealth perhaps, but human rights aside if a country is paying little or nothing ie: through slavery or forced labour for pittance, then production goes on without such an outflow. The most historically prosperous nations - Egypt, Rome, Persia, Greece, etc - have all made huge use of slaves and the extortion of peasantry. It's not a nice way of doing things but without one or both of these things no nation would ever have grown up properly.

hmmm, this is a very good point. but i think with time there will be less tolerance of other nations to do business with a country with poor human rights or employment, and the most prosperous countries rely heavily on exports as well as self-sufficiency. however i concede to your last point, i had not thought about it that way.

the u.s. has such a large worldwide influence, even in our recession at the moment the entire world is also suffering economically. in order for us to be surpassed, we would have to suffer from a national economic or social crisis while another nation is somehow gaining either directly or indirectly from it.

[dbgtz]

Were not in a recession.

[Jordy]

I'm unsure on it's future, it won't fall anytime soon that's for sure but perhaps in our lifetime.

The USA is definitely a good thing, it's a perfect example of how successful Capitalism is and the majority of time it's influence is very good for the world. Just look at how much money, troops and resources it has put into Haiti in recent weeks. All technology over the past 60 years seems to have something to do with America, the take off of computers, internet, jet travel and satellites etc. What has China brought us? Nothing, it's just manufactured lots of it

It's obsession with oil is also likely to contribute to it's downfall (and this so called WWIII which will inevitably be over oil). It's wealth has a lot to do with it's oil and influencing oil in the Middle East etc, when it's all gone there's going to be an issue.

[Wig44.]

But the EU ain't a country.

How exactly does that stop it being a super power? :S

[Jordy]

How exactly does that stop it being a super power? :S

Easily, that's like grouping together Spain, Japan, India and Brazil and saying you have a world super power

The only exception to this is colonies where they are under control from one country. For the time being, the EU has little influence over the military and foreign affairs of it's member states therefore it cannot be considered a super-power. The EU does however control/influence the economies of member states but IMO a super power is based on either military power or the combination of military power & economics.

[Wig44.]

Easily, that's like grouping together Spain, Japan, India and Brazil and saying you have a world super power

The only exception to this is colonies where they are under control from one country. For the time being, the EU has little influence over the military and foreign affairs of it's member states therefore it cannot be considered a super-power. The EU does however control/influence the economies of member states but IMO a super power is based on either military power or the combination of military power & economics.

You've misunderstood how the EU can become a super power. Look at the economic and military power the EU has. So yes, the EU is/will become a super power.

[Jordy]

You've misunderstood how the EU can become a super power. Look at the economic and military power the EU has. So yes, the EU is/will become a super power.

Yes if you did combine the military power and economic power between all it's member states you would have a super power or something very close it. However the EU does not involve it's self with the military of it's nation states so it therefore doesn't count seeing as there's no policies surrounding it.

For example if someone attacks Sweden, the rest of the EU are by no means forced to protect it. Or if France declares war on a country, we're not forced to join in.

[Neversoft]

All that you know is at an end.

[FlyingJesus]

lol@the idea of France starting a war instead of just surrendering