So how Long will This last: How would you define the US Global Political and Economic Position Today and Moving into the Next Half Century?


Recommended Posts

Guess it wasn't all that succint....lol

Does what I just wrote even make sense? In my head it did, but I don't often listen to the voices in my head, so I don't know....just rambling...

Makes pretty good sense to me. Honestly I think we are screwed. I am lower middle class and I feel like I am being bled dry sometimes. I make more than most for what I do for a living and I can't imagine living on less. This country has gone to hell in a short while compared to what it used to be. It's still better than most in my opinion and I do hold optimism for the future.

I honestly can't say much though because I don't have much traveling experience.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 218
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Posts

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

All empires fall. Has the US fallen? Of course not, but have the seeds been planted? Arguably yes: A literally unplayable debt that one day has to collapse Other issues seem minor compared to that

i've been co-opted by our very own house of cards dictator to say something that will get this thread closed down before 150 posts and save him his cigar. i will, however, refuse and stand firm with

Despite all the US's faults, there's way too much momentum, however waning, for the current geopolitical position to change. The US Currency will continue to be the world's reserve currency for anything serious, and apart from China, there aren't even any close second places.

That primarily, is why the US isn't going anywhere.

Beyond that, the military position and economic prowess of the very free markets, will continue to support and extend the current status quo.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Culturally, I don't think it's possible to overstate the US influence on the rest of the world. Whether it's music, film, TV, fashion, etc., we have a huge influence on the rest of the world.

Economically, I think the US has declined slightly since 9/11. We've spent so much of our own money chasing the boogeyman that we've neglected investment in our own country. That's going to haunt us for years.

Politically, I the US has declined a lot since 9/11. Our aggressive attempts to make the middle east like us has made us look bad. Our unilateral use of force has mad us look bad. Our use of torture has made us look bad. Neglecting our own people (healthcare, unemployment, immigration, etc.) to further our pursuit of terrorists has made us look bad. I had hopes that the talks with Iran and getting Syria to destroy its chemical weapons would put us back on the right track, but it appears that Russia is going to make that very difficult with what it's doing in Ukraine. We have a long way to go to get back to where we were in the 90's when it comes to our standing in the world politically.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great thread. We have the naysayers, detractors, haters, defenders, cheerleaders, patriots, optimists, and analysists all chiming in. Here's one for the ignorant and ambivalent.... I don't give a rat's ass anymore. I've done my part for the last 45 years to make my, my friends, family and loved one's lives a little better (or so I hope). I'll continue to play the cards I'm dealt, y'all can worry about the USofA and rest of the world without me.

Sunny and pleasant here. I'm pouring a nice big glass of Nicaraguan rum and going out to smoke a '06 Boli Corona.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Canada on the other hand....well....nobody really cares about Canada. We are about as unimpressive in global politics as they come!

I care about Canada! I go up around Winnipeg fishing every couple years with some law enforcement friends. Drink your beer, whiskey and chase your beavers! ;) Maybe if we gave you Minnesota it would help boost your politics a little (or sink it).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The death of US influence has been stated spot on in some literature.

Over 50% of the collected tax dollars are funneled into the militaries' slush fund, which has been used since WW2 to purchase influence around the world, often from violent dictators.

Meanwhile, the level of funding for infrastructure and basic social upkeep has fallen. The American Society of Civil Engineers recently took an objective look at America's infrastructure and rated it a D (on a scale of A-F with A being exemplary and F being non-existent). If you ask most folks about their drinking water, they're not happy about it. Medicine and the professionals who prescribe it are some of the most expensive in the world, although the quality of health is NOT among the best in the world.

The time I've spent in Europe really opened my eyes to what could be possible with responsible governmental spending. Obviously, however, the powers that be state-side have other fish to fry.

To continue living as though perpetual economic growth is possible on a planet of finite resources is ignorant; the chickens are coming home to roost and it'll be interesting to see how it all pans out. Can America change with the times, or will it continue to pretend the Cold War never ended?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

All you need to know is that everything in life vies to reach an equilibrium. For much of the century, the US has done a magnificent job of insulating itself, preserving relevance, and maintaining its hegemony. However that can only last so long, as information and education is free. Education is the key driver for all growth in the long run, and we are recently seeing the fruition of excellent education across the world.

As the transfer of wealth is a function of real wages, it is only fair that those with knowledge and education receive the benefits of a globalized economy which rewards innovation and ideas.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry to side track an go back a few comments. The USA was designed to be a republic and in the last millennia has move away from 50 independent states of a republic and to a unified democratic body.

That being said I being born and still live in the US believe one of the biggest if not biggest is the fact that we are trying to be the nanny state for the entire world. I don't believe it is necessary. Unless it infringes on a persons humanitarian rights so be it if a country wants to run it they way the seem fit. The USA does not need to try and control everything.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, their political position is still firmly on top, with some cracks starting to show.

Economically, still on top, but fading a little faster than their political standpoint.

I would say the next half century is a little far fetched, time wise.

I would think 30 to 40 years at best. Maybe much less. Then it's China's turn. Then India.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The US will remain in a position of global influence for many reasons. Reserve currency, Military might, economic prowess, worlds largest consumer, to name a few. Our House is unfortunately divided due to the politicians lust for their power and playing to whatever special interest that they are emboldened to.

You also have the Central Bankers working behind the scenes continuing their Fiat ponzi propping up the global house of cards. This not only effects the US, but the world as a whole. With 70 trillion right now in unfunded liabilities, this poses a major problem that will inevitably have to be addressed. What will that be? IMO you will see some sort of global "reset" at some point to address the debt. A Cashless society eliminating the Dollar would force the underground economy and wealth to come out of the shadows? The New World Order is quickly coming our way. The only question is WHEN will this sort of scenario play out?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So let me start.

I have been to the US 22 times. I love the place. The reality economically is that until recently 1 in 4 consumer dollars spent in the world is spent in the US. Dealing with Asia daily, and noting an Asian press (Australia is presented as the likely food bowl for Asia, the largest evolving middle class that the world has ever seen) that the axis is changing (for ourselves and globally).

Yet, I can't get my head around the fact that US companies still provide my credit cards (AMEX/Visa/MasterC) Paypal, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft etal. they produce most of our farming equipment in Massey f/ John Deere, Aircraft that I fly in Boeing, Defence acquisitions for our countryand plenty more of the things that each and all of us do day to day.

is the death of US influence (and influence well earned) overstated? or is it underestimated?

God I hope I win this Party Lusi Gran Reserva party.gif

The question posited only appears to deal with economic influence. In that respect the question really revolves around the time period of influence that you are comparing. 19th C to 20th C to 21st C?

Assuming modern post WW2 times - In general terms I really doubt that there is any death of US influence economically. Manufacturing is being outsourced to cheaper places but major / global organisations are still based in, run by or have huge US presence. Except for tax purposes in which case the Caymans, Cook Islands and Bermuda probably run the world.

Political influence? In a global sense was it ever really that dominant post WW2? - Anyone remember the USSR? China? Sure US political influence was great (large) but not dominant. Probably the same as it is now?

As for all the talk of recent wars in the middle east etc as some kind of cause for alleged waning influence - Korea? Vietnam?

Social influence? Modern western democratic societies are basically uniform in their main beliefs Its why this forum works. US has had a huge influence on that historically and continues to drive it still I believe. in terms of influence on other cultures? Again - I ask was it ever that great? Does a yak herder in Uzbekistan really care about US social influence - have they ever?

So really I do not think too much has changed influence wise. But hey I could be wrong

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No worries brother, I felt bad for nit picking when I said it. I knew what you meant.

Aw, c'mon. Nobody is going to buy that you felt the least bit bad. :)

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

To answer the question in the post title:

Global political power shall remain the same. I think the question really is what is the relative quantum of that power - and what has it been historically. And in that respect I still think it is, has been and shall remain the same as it has been post WW2

Economic position - it's not a zero sum game and there are some economies which are obviously growing significantly. But again I wonder whether that is all doom and gloom? Frankly I don't know. Or I don't see a huge change.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think we will look back and realise that the USA has reached its peak and is at a cross roads. Today the USA is unchallenged as the only super power in the world. However, this supremacy is a result of having the largest economy in the world, which has enabled it to fund a strong military with a large technological advantage. This principal of strong economy = strong military = superpower is one that has been proven time and time again throughout history (Look at the Roman Empire, British Empire, etc.)

So if we use this principal of strong economy = strong military = superpower to guide us, I think the USA will remain as a superpower for the next decade or so. However, China is rapidly closing the gap economically and will have essentially caught up with the USA by 2020. It will take China some time to translate it's economic power into military power but it should be reasonable for it to equal the USA militarily by 2030.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

America's society is crumbling under the socialist entitlement mentality. America's economic and military influence is waning as a result. The users now outnumber the providers and they have finally learned that they can vote themselves the treasury. Socialism is a great concept except for one flaw...sooner or later you run out of other people's money. The politicians only care about one thing, and that is staying in power on Capitol Hill. The more they give to the users, the longer they will stay in power. Common sense be damned.

I'll never believe that any educated person actually believes that the Socialist and Communist economic models will work. There's only one economic model that has proven it works. Even with all it's flaws, Capitalism made the greatest country the world has ever known, and Socialism is going to bring it to its knees.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

Community Software by Invision Power Services, Inc.