Next World Superpower?

[General Brown]

As an American, I believe that America's power is falling.
I think that Germnay, yes Germany, will be the next world power once it's economy can start working efficently.
Possibly starting a cold wr with China

 

[luiz]

Originally posted by Kinniken


True enough, and you can add to that the USSR, whose rapid post-war economic growth led many people to claim that it would economically overtake the US and become the world's first economic power in twenty years or so.

Predictions on China becoming the first economic power rest on the assumption that they can continue to have GNP growth at 10% for the next thirty years, which is ridiculous. First, the reason they are growing so fast is that they have so much to catch up - as their GNP/head starts to climb it is doubt full they will be able to continue growing that fast. Secondly, the risk of major political upheaval is very big. How long will the Communist Party be able to cling to power?
However, it is true that with their massive population even a lowish (by western standards) GNP/head is enough to get them among the biggest economies in the world. I guess we shall see

There are many exemples of how predictions that a great economic growth would continue failed.
From 1964 to the 70's oil crisis, Brazil was growing at the amazing rate of 12.5% a year. Believing that it would last for decades, the military government predicted that by the year 2000 the world would have 3 superpowers: US, USSR and Brazil. They got two out of three wrong.

 

[#1 Person]

China has the next largest mnillitary and nuclear weapons supply
Russia is just not in control of their weapons.

 

[stormbind]

Whoever colonises Mars

 

[Gladi]

Bright day
What do people have with Mars? It has completely wrong gravity- I do not think you want to push luck, do you? Only planet that I know of with its g about Earth's is Venus. Isn't then colonization of Venus much more feasible?
On topic note- I voted EU, by May 1st it will have much more people than USA and it is moving, slowly very slowly, towards greater unity.
May all your days be bright.

 

[Kinniken]

Originally posted by Gladi
On topic note- I voted EU, by May 1st it will have much more people than USA and it is moving, slowly very slowly, towards greater unity.

It already has - 380.8 millions to 290 millions. Anyway, welcome in the EU! I visited Prague this summer and I will be glad to come back without showing a passport as soon as I can

 

[akots]

The question of the poll is a little bit confusing. What is the meaning of superpower? I belive on Earth today there are 3 superpowers including USA, Russia, and China. These countries can do whatever they want whenever they want. Their military is far superior to all other countries. Which other country can enter the superpower club in the near future? Or if some major crisis strikes US? It will be EU, little doubt about that. Just look at their total military budget. It's growing really fast.

 

[Maj]

China and Russia are still too concerned with domestic issues to have the will or resources to project their forces across the globe as the U.S. is currently doing. They also don't yet have the economic potency to earn superpower status.

 

[KaNick]

Originally posted by Gladi
Bright day
What do people have with Mars? It has completely wrong gravity- I do not think you want to push luck, do you? Only planet that I know of with its g about Earth's is Venus. Isn't then colonization of Venus much more feasible?
On topic note- I voted EU, by May 1st it will have much more people than USA and it is moving, slowly very slowly, towards greater unity.
May all your days be bright.

Gravity is the least ouf or concerns. We may be able to change Mar's atmosphere to somthing that we could live in. There is no chance of this on Venus. Think of Venus as Global Warming gone wild.

 

[CIVPhilzilla]

Definately China, they are becoming more and more powerful. Russia wouldn't there time has already passed as superpower, and are still facing severe economic problems, the European Nations are simply not able to get their superpower stature that they had pre-US superpower status. This is just MHO.

 

[Gladi]

Originally posted by GrandMasta Nick


Gravity is the least ouf or concerns. We may be able to change Mar's atmosphere to somthing that we could live in. There is no chance of this on Venus. Think of Venus as Global Warming gone wild.

*swinging mace and with pistole under arm Gladi hijacks the thread*
Bright Day Grand Master Nick
Why should gravity be the least of our concerns? I believe that I have seen figures that gravitational difference would give us all sorts of problems. Size/mass is the reason behind relative lack of atmosphere on Mars, I doubt we can just pump gasses into it. But we have no idea about Venus- not even remotely contoles mechanism landed there, but there are some interesting theories I heard of.

 

[Xen]

Originally posted by Kinniken
China is the only country who could become a "classic" superpower in the medium term I think, though countries like India and Brazil could become very strong second-rank nations, replacing nations like Japan, the UK and France.
I hope the EU will become more united and extend its influence in the world, but it will not become a superpower, nor a single state. More of a community of interests and values using mainly "soft power", which can be very effective.

can someone say (at least) loose common wealth?

 

[KaNick]

Originally posted by Gladi


*swinging mace and with pistole under arm Gladi hijacks the thread*
Bright Day Grand Master Nick
Why should gravity be the least of our concerns? I believe that I have seen figures that gravitational difference would give us all sorts of problems. Size/mass is the reason behind relative lack of atmosphere on Mars, I doubt we can just pump gasses into it. But we have no idea about Venus- not even remotely contoles mechanism landed there, but there are some interesting theories I heard of.

I suppose that is true, but Venus's atmosphere is more of a challenge than Mar's gravity.

Thank you, this is actually one of the most beautiful days we've had in a long while. Bright Day to you too.

 

[Matrix]

Russia?

 

[amadeus]

The primary factor in determining who the next superpower is is how the U.S. power folds. If the U.S. economy were to collapse, here's just one of a million statistics that could be broght up.

In total imported and exported goods, Russia receives and sends about 6% from and to the U.S.

China receives about 10% and sends over 20% to the U.S., meaning that the Chinese export economy is more dependent on U.S. economic success than the Russian export economy.

 

[Amenhotep7]

Mars terraformation is most definately possible. It has enough gravity to sustain the proper atmosphere, case closed.

Yes, Matrix, Russia. You'd think ANY country that size has a good potential to become a superpower.

 

[Gladi]

Originally posted by Amenhotep7
Mars terraformation is most definately possible. It has enough gravity to sustain the proper atmosphere, case closed.

Yes, Matrix, Russia. You'd think ANY country that size has a good potential to become a superpower.

Bright day Amenhotep7
I am sorry to play Doubting Thomas but g/3 and the distance from the Sun does not look promising to me. Can you give me some reference to material you used?
Any country that is not half frozen, half destitute.

 

[silver 2039]

I think that India shall be the next superpower.

 

[Amenhotep7]

I forget, but I read it out of a Science Article...Darn, what was that magazine called?! Anyways, look for "Mars" and "Terraformation" on a search engine and you shall find many an article on the internet.

 

[Maj]

Scientific American?