Next World Superpower?

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freegeeks

Diamond Member
May 7, 2001
5,460
1
81
Originally posted by: Czar
Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Originally posted by: Czar
Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Originally posted by: freegeeks
the EU wants a stronger integrated military but that's about it

We can only hope!

why? what are you worried about?

European countries as military superpowers makes me worry about the world.

why?

I already know the answer

because of the evil French and their secret policy to rule the world
 
Aug 14, 2001
11,061
0
0
Originally posted by: freegeeks
Originally posted by: Czar
Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Originally posted by: Czar
Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Originally posted by: freegeeks
the EU wants a stronger integrated military but that's about it

We can only hope!

why? what are you worried about?

European countries as military superpowers makes me worry about the world.

why?

I already know the answer

because of the evil French and their secret policy to rule the world

Too bad that you're wrong. Who says that the French are evil? I certainly don't hate French people. Why would you even say that to a reply of mine? I don't think that I've really said anything specifically about the French people.

I guess you are trying to mock what you portray as ignorant Americans, but it's too bad that you're coming off as an ignorant European here to me. In fact, I find your reply to be insulting and condescending and should not have been made at all.

Certain European countries just don't have a very good history with super military power, especially when dealing with the rest of the world. I would be very very worried in the beginning at least.

 

dpm

Golden Member
Apr 24, 2002
1,513
0
0
Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Certain European countries just don't have a very good history with super military power, especially when dealing with the rest of the world. I would be very very worried in the beginning at least.

I'm interested now - which countries? And which countries would you say have a good history int his regard? Power corrupts, remember...
 

freegeeks

Diamond Member
May 7, 2001
5,460
1
81
Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Originally posted by: freegeeks
Originally posted by: Czar
Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Originally posted by: Czar
Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Originally posted by: freegeeks
the EU wants a stronger integrated military but that's about it

We can only hope!

why? what are you worried about?

European countries as military superpowers makes me worry about the world.

why?

I already know the answer

because of the evil French and their secret policy to rule the world

Too bad that you're wrong. Who says that the French are evil? I certainly don't hate French people. Why would you even say that to a reply of mine? I don't think that I've really said anything specifically about the French people.

I guess you are trying to mock what you portray as ignorant Americans, but it's too bad that you're coming off as an ignorant European here to me. In fact, I find your reply to be insulting and condescending and should not have been made at all.

Certain European countries just don't have a very good history with super military power, especially when dealing with the rest of the world. I would be very very worried in the beginning at least.

I forgot the ;)

nothing personal against you -

 

Czar

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
28,510
0
0
Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Certain European countries just don't have a very good history with super military power, especially when dealing with the rest of the world. I would be very very worried in the beginning at least.
that is very true, but things change, would you object if Japan would change its constitution so they could do operations outside of japan, therefor increasing their military size and strength?

 

Strk

Lifer
Nov 23, 2003
10,197
4
76
Originally posted by: B00ne
Originally posted by: Strk
Economically or Militarily? Because Japan is already one economically, but can never become a military one due to its consitution.

And what makes Japan an economical Superpower? What are your measures?

GDP? then why not China, theirs is higher. GDP per person? Then why not Luxemburg, theirs is higher.

National GDP, GDP per capita and the overall standard of living. That's at least what I take into consideration for what makes an economic superpower.(since countries like Luxembourg and Lichenstein have some of the highest GDP per capita, but have the populations of a large city)
 

DaiShan

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2001
9,617
1
0
Originally posted by: Strk
Economically or Militarily? Because Japan is already one economically, but can never become a military one due to its consitution.

Take a look at Japan's economy as of late...
 

DaiShan

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2001
9,617
1
0
Originally posted by: miguel
If any oil-producing country in the Middle East ever got it's act together, it could be a very powerful force.

Oil is limited, they wouldn't last long if that was their basis for power...
 

DaiShan

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2001
9,617
1
0
Originally posted by: LongCoolMother
looking at figures alone, id say china. US still has a decade or two or three left in it i believe. its still going strong right now. but IMO, it the US society has been on the downfall for the past 20 years or so. compare society and compare the youngsters that will make the next generation of americans. dont look to good compared to maybe 50 years ago. :\.

the strong will probably hold the US for a few more glorious decades though.

The problem is not with the current generation of Americans, it is the simple fact that China's economy is so rapidly expanding due to its ever-increasing population that the US cannot keep up. Couple that with the fact that they have cheap labor and are manufacturing oriented at the moment (comparable to the US, USSR struggle, the US prevailed because of its workforce, same principle applies here) Now this isn't to say that China won't make a mistake and fade from global prominence, or that the US won't continue to be more efficent and continue to prevail, but as things stand now, China will overtake the US economically speaking within the next 30 years or so IIRC (have to verify again the timeline but I think I remember it being 30 years)
 

Strk

Lifer
Nov 23, 2003
10,197
4
76
Originally posted by: DaiShan
Originally posted by: Strk
Economically or Militarily? Because Japan is already one economically, but can never become a military one due to its consitution.

Take a look at Japan's economy as of late...

If you're talking about the recession, that has been going on for over 10 years. However, the unemployment is still not that high and the overall standard of living is still relatively decent.
 

Red Dawn

Elite Member
Jun 4, 2001
57,529
3
0
Originally posted by: Strk
Originally posted by: DaiShan
Originally posted by: Strk
Economically or Militarily? Because Japan is already one economically, but can never become a military one due to its consitution.

Take a look at Japan's economy as of late...

If you're talking about the recession, that has been going on for over 10 years. However, the unemployment is still not that high and the overall standard of living is still relatively decent.

Compared to India the standard of living is great!
 
Aug 14, 2001
11,061
0
0
Originally posted by: dpm
Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Certain European countries just don't have a very good history with super military power, especially when dealing with the rest of the world. I would be very very worried in the beginning at least.

I'm interested now - which countries? And which countries would you say have a good history int his regard? Power corrupts, remember...

Of course power corrupts, but the degree of corruption has varied between countries that have held overwhelming power. Sure. the US has power and has corruption, but have they been as horrible as a military superpower as past countries? I don't think that it could even be compared. The wrong things that the US has done seems petty to me when compared to some other countries.

I think it may be similar to Japan...if Japan got rid of their non-aggressive constitution (I believe that they already spend a lot on military spending), there would be an absolute outrage in certain parts of the world such as China, Korea. If the EU becomes some sort of super military power, I'm sure that there would be a lot of people worried and understandably so. History is not so easiliy forgotten, especially atrocities in somewhat recent history.
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,783
6,341
126
Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Originally posted by: dpm
Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Certain European countries just don't have a very good history with super military power, especially when dealing with the rest of the world. I would be very very worried in the beginning at least.

I'm interested now - which countries? And which countries would you say have a good history int his regard? Power corrupts, remember...

Of course power corrupts, but the degree of corruption has varied between countries that have held overwhelming power. Sure. the US has power and has corruption, but have they been as horrible as a military superpower as past countries? I don't think that it could even be compared. The wrong things that the US has done seems petty to me when compared to some other countries.

I think it may be similar to Japan...if Japan got rid of their non-aggressive constitution (I believe that they already spend a lot on military spending), there would be an absolute outrage in certain parts of the world such as China, Korea. If the EU becomes some sort of super military power, I'm sure that there would be a lot of people worried and understandably so. History is not so easiliy forgotten, especially atrocities in somewhat recent history.

The Corruption of Power is cumulative. It takes time for Corruption to grow.
 

Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
62,365
14,685
136
Anybody who hasn't figured out that it'll be China hasn't really been figuring. They're becoming an industrial powerhouse, and the Yangtze Dam will provide a substantial boost in electrical output, farm productivity, transportation. Add the business acumen of Hong Kong and Taiwan to the huge and stable population along with secure borders and American Capital, they'll be at the top of the game in 20 years or so, barring self-destruction.
 
Aug 14, 2001
11,061
0
0
Originally posted by: sandorski
Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Originally posted by: dpm
Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Certain European countries just don't have a very good history with super military power, especially when dealing with the rest of the world. I would be very very worried in the beginning at least.

I'm interested now - which countries? And which countries would you say have a good history int his regard? Power corrupts, remember...

Of course power corrupts, but the degree of corruption has varied between countries that have held overwhelming power. Sure. the US has power and has corruption, but have they been as horrible as a military superpower as past countries? I don't think that it could even be compared. The wrong things that the US has done seems petty to me when compared to some other countries.

I think it may be similar to Japan...if Japan got rid of their non-aggressive constitution (I believe that they already spend a lot on military spending), there would be an absolute outrage in certain parts of the world such as China, Korea. If the EU becomes some sort of super military power, I'm sure that there would be a lot of people worried and understandably so. History is not so easiliy forgotten, especially atrocities in somewhat recent history.

The Corruption of Power is cumulative. It takes time for Corruption to grow.

No offense, but that's just a gimmicky phrase. Did you just open a fortune cookie? :D
I could just make up some statement like 'True corruption rears its ugly head at the foundation' and leave it at that.

 

CanOWorms

Lifer
Jul 3, 2001
12,404
2
0
Originally posted by: freegeeks
the EU is not interested in becoming a US style military superpower.
the EU wants a stronger integrated military but that's about it

economically the EU wants to be a superpower (and is already one in a sense)

IMO China will be the big contender on the military front

Do you live in a fairy tale world? No offense, but they're going to want to project their power. It's sad, but that's how the world works. Do you think they're going to be super-nice and give away all this money and help people out for nothing? I think they'll do what's in their own self-interests just like everyone else.

The question is to what lengths they will go to further their self-interests. With their history in mind, it doesn't look good.
 

Spencer278

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 2002
3,637
0
0
I don't think china will be a super power because they have way to many people. Sure they will have a high GDP but they will not be able to flex that mussicle because they need the rest of the world to provide food and oil. They will be much to dependent on other countries to be powerfull. You need more then just cheap labor to be a superpower.
 

CanOWorms

Lifer
Jul 3, 2001
12,404
2
0
Originally posted by: Jhhnn
Anybody who hasn't figured out that it'll be China hasn't really been figuring. They're becoming an industrial powerhouse, and the Yangtze Dam will provide a substantial boost in electrical output, farm productivity, transportation. Add the business acumen of Hong Kong and Taiwan to the huge and stable population along with secure borders and American Capital, they'll be at the top of the game in 20 years or so, barring self-destruction.

I'm not sure if they'll be the next... everyone thought Japan would rule the world once. I think that China is in a unique position... that entire region is in a unique position. You have Russia which was once a superpower, strong Japan, up and coming China, and up and coming India right there. It's going to be interesting. They're not all buddy-buddy with each other either. I feel like the US securely controls its entire part of the world. There will be a lot of players right next to China and anyone else there all strongly competing with each other in one region.
 

nCred

Golden Member
Oct 13, 2003
1,109
114
106
Soviet was a superpower, and they had about the same population as the US, but only 25% of USA´s GDP.
Now with the new members, EU has a population of 450 million people and almost as high GDP as the US, so the
European Union should have the capacity to become a superpower.
Same goes for China.