All great empires fall...

[Amused]

Originally posted by: SportSC4
Here's what I think. If I'm wrong, then someone with a history background please correct me.

I define an empire when they are in control (easibly able to exert influence in many things). The USA did not have much control in the late 1700s. I think that it really began with the fall of Europe during WWI. Let's say 1930's. Modern empires also don't seem to last as long as older ones. The Romans and Greeks lasted for a good while. The Spanish were in control until the British took over. I think they had about 100 year reigns.

I'm sure if someone plotted an S curve of USA influence (political, technology, etc) we could get a reasonable estimate to where things are headed at current levels.

Your definition is wrong.

An "empire" as defined for this purpose is:

"A political unit having an extensive territory or comprising a number of territories or nations and ruled by a single supreme authority."

The British all the way up to WWII were an empire. We had the makings of an empire after the Spanish/American War in which we gained Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. However, we freely gave them up if they so choose. Guam and Puerto Rico both have voted over and over again to remain US territories.

The Brits were an empire. The US never was, but very easily could have been.

 

[johnjbruin]

In 5 mins


<-- runs and hides in his concrete bunker

 

[Turin39789]

POLL!

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: Amused
Your definition is wrong.

An "empire" as defined for this purpose is:

"A political unit having an extensive territory or comprising a number of territories or nations and ruled by a single supreme authority."

The British all the way up to WWII were an empire. We had the makings of an empire after the Spanish/American War in which we gained Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. However, we freely gave them up if they so choose. Guam and Puerto Rico both have voted over and over again to remain US territories.

The Brits were an empire. The US never was, but very easily could have been.

I'm curious Amused, do you think american interference in central and south america leading up to the 20th century could have been classified as empire building. Although we didn't force the banana republics to become territories we certaintly impacted and interfered in their internal political processes.

IMO we began the course towards empire building following in the steps of England but after WWI we turned away from the empire building. So I would say the American empire grew and died in the 19th century.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: SportSC4
Here's what I think. If I'm wrong, then someone with a history background please correct me.

I define an empire when they are in control (easibly able to exert influence in many things). The USA did not have much control in the late 1700s. I think that it really began with the fall of Europe during WWI. Let's say 1930's. Modern empires also don't seem to last as long as older ones. The Romans and Greeks lasted for a good while. The Spanish were in control until the British took over. I think they had about 100 year reigns.

I'm sure if someone plotted an S curve of USA influence (political, technology, etc) we could get a reasonable estimate to where things are headed at current levels.

Your definition is wrong.

An "empire" as defined for this purpose is:

"A political unit having an extensive territory or comprising a number of territories or nations and ruled by a single supreme authority."

The British all the way up to WWII were an empire. We had the makings of an empire after the Spanish/American War in which we gained Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. However, we freely gave them up if they so choose. Guam and Puerto Rico both have voted over and over again to remain US territories.

The Brits were an empire. The US never was, but very easily could have been.

lol, don't you think that's nitpicking though?

We're not an empire because.. we don't own a couple of little islands? Heh.. that seems ludicrous.

What about the first part?

A political unit having an extensive territory or...

I guess that begs the question, what is "extensive"?

 

[bigredguy]

When China's economy surpasses ours and quickily behind it, their military will be the beginning of the end for the U.S.

 

[dr150]

I say within 300 years the hegemony will belong to China and India.

US will be a niche player like Switzerland.

Heck, we can't get our own lazy ass people to study the sciences and engineering (i.e. the future) in college.

The Indians and Asians are raping our intellectual resources and thus will ultimately rule by brain (i.e. innovation, which leads to wealth and power).

 

[dr150]

Originally posted by: Legend
Probably more likely the US will be integrated into a world government. Probably would start with US, Britain, Canada, Australia, Japan, etc within 100-200 years.

The US isn't going to face the problems that the Roman empire had: overexpansion, corruption, and strong enemies....I mean it's not like Canada and Mexico are going to come after us. In an Extreme situation, a war with China maybe? But that's far fetched.

If China gets too big b/c of it's GNP, I can foresee the merging of US, Canada, UK, Australia.....

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: dr150
I say within 300 years the hegemony will belong to China and India.

US will be a niche player like Switzerland.

Heck, we can't get our own lazy ass people to study the sciences and engineering (i.e. the future) in college.

The Indians and Asians are raping our intellectual resources and thus will ultimately rule by brain (i.e. innovation, which leads to wealth and power).

I don't see Indians dominating any innovation until there are major cultural changes, I would wager China suffers from the same cultural problems but I don't have first hand experience with it.

 

[bret]

Originally posted by: Darthvoy
Tomorrow at exactly 2:00pm Pacific Time.

its eastern not pacific... and its 2:04:69 AM

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: dr150
US will be a niche player like Switzerland.

Nah, Switzerland is almost insignificant on the world stage. The United States has a booming population increase and thus will never be irrelevant like Switzerland, Canada, Australia, etc.

 

[PunDogg]

are you people kididng me, the US reign will take forever to end, the end will come when the US econ, gets surpassed, and no one i mean no one is even in the ball park wit us. hell Cali's econ is in the top 10 i think, I mean not even close. and Military wise no one can touch us, let alone be in the same room. We sell and restock most of the worlds arms, so if go to war we stop selling, and no repairs means out dated tech. so we have a monoploy, jeez were are all the red blooded americans

and I'm an indian american by the way, not a white, gun toating red neck

Dogg

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Originally posted by: Random Variable
If you are an American and truly believe what you are saying, and are planning to have children sometime in your lifetime, you should be shot repeatedly in the face.

Which is one of the reasons I don't want to have children. This country is fvcked and it will only be worse for any children that I might have.

 

[PunDogg]

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl

Originally posted by: Random Variable
If you are an American and truly believe what you are saying, and are planning to have children sometime in your lifetime, you should be shot repeatedly in the face.

Which is one of the reasons I don't want to have children. This country is fvcked and it will only be worse for any children that I might have.

how is it fvcked, yeah it has its problems, but give me a BETTER country to go live in.... thats right there is NONE.