Superpowers of the next century!

[Joe Harker]

Ok I know this isn't techcially history, but it relates to it. I personally think that China will emerge as a world superpower (no real doubt there). India possibly later on in the century, with the US, not declining but losing their status as the only superpower. EU won't become a superpower in miltary terms I believe but possibly ecomonic wise, providing we get all our workers off their backsides. Russia will decline sharply, Possible flashpoints are Taiwan, Caspian Sea area (one of the last untouch gas and possibly oil reserves left, not sure if there is oil so correct me if i am wrong), South Korea, and the middle east.

 

[Marshal Zukov]

I think it will move back to the way it was in the 18th-17th centuries, no clear cut superpowers, instead there are four or five (proably more now) major powers, all about equal in strenghth. As for who these will be only time can tell, the U.S., China and India certainly have spots, I could also see a european country or two, japan, and maybe isreal or iran.

 

[Neonanocyborgasm]

I agree that there will be a few major powers, and many minor ones. The unique situation of the Cold War was due to the fact that only 2 of major powers survived WW2 largely unscathed. (USSR was badly damaged in Europe but not in Asia.) With the demise of the USSR, a power vacuum has been left that can be assumed by several states. China is clearly a front-runner in this regard, having an enormous population and access to a wealth of natural resources, as well as a long tradition of education. Its only real threat is from within, due to the tenuous nature of its politics. India is also a clear favorite, with its large, highly educated population. The EU is not much of a unified power yet, but this may change in the future. It can become a major power likewise through a large, educated population. The US, I doubt, will be downgraded, just forced to contend with more competitors.

Others might be Russia and Iran. Both have access to important natural resources and have to be contended with.

 

[sydhe]

The United States and China certainly. They both have large populations, are rich in resources, and are geographically well-positioned. A major power may yet develop in South America, perhaps in the form of an economic union. India won't make it unless they do some draconic population control. I think people underestimate Russia. They have a sizeable population, are rich in natural resources, have a well-educated population, and a lot of influence in Ukraine and Belarus. (They're also in a great position to benefit from global warming.)

 

[History_Buff]

I also am not one to count Russia out just yet. If they can get their economy under control, and possibly stimulate population growth, they'll be big once again. Siberia probably has a wealth of gold, oil and diamonds in it, and if Global Warming actually comes knocking in the next little while, it'll be much easier to get at.

 

[Princeps]

I hope there is not need for empires anymore.

 

[StarWorms]

Europe, China, India, USA.

 

[Tee Kay]

I think there would be several major powers (not superpowers) and a few minor ones, like in the Mediterranean in the 3rd-2nd century BC or Europe in the 17th-18th century. A few countries I see as major powers are the USA (their influence had declined but they still have a strong economy and military), China, India and Russia (these three will match the US in economic and military strength by the next century, but will be a lot less stable internally). The Arab-Muslim world will be much more unified and maybe emerge as a major power. As for Europe I think there's too much diversity and conflicting ideas for every country to work together as a single superstate beyond an economic or defence alliance, but Europe will still be a major power. A few minor powers will rise, eg Nigeria, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Japan.

 

[Nobody]

I think a major hotspot is in between australia and indonesia.
Indonesia is over populated muslim country with lots of little break away provinces who want to leave.

Australia is a big empty western nation. Who likes to support the break away provinces.

Eventually War!

 

[warpus]

I forsee the U.S./E.U. running world affairs for many years to come. Other powers will emerge, but the atlantic alliance will become more and more vital as time goes on.. and it will be enough to prevent other nations from reaching 'superpower' status.

 

[NewWaver]

I reckon whenever a world government enters the scene, things won't be so swell.

 

[Elrohir]

The US will continue to be very powerful, but won't be the sole superpower anymore. I agree with Marshal Zukov, the situation will likely look somewhat similar to how the world looked in the 17th or 18th centuries - several large, powerful countries or empires, none quite powerful enough to destroy the others entirely, balancing each other out.

As for who these nations will, the US and China are the favorites, and the most obvious. Barring something drastic happening (A complete collapse in the central government, or a nuclear sneak attack on either - unlikely) that prediction will probably hold true. I imagine India will be rather strong this century, as well - the US would do well to cultivate relations with that great democracy, they would be an excellent ally to help keep China from getting too big for it's britches. Russia could revive itself, but I have my doubts, as their population is spiraling downwards and they need a larger population to take advantage of all their land and resources. (If Christianity or Islam became much more prominent, their birthrates would probably go up)

Europe will likely be strong, but not quite as strong as people are predicting. It's a shame that they are dragging themselves down with their low birthrates and bad social policies which are negatively impacting their economies, Europe would be an excellent ally to the US.

Some wildcards could be Brazil and the Middle East. Brazil is shaping up to be a regional power capable of maintaining order in South America; another country the US should try to court. They need to deal with some corruption problems, however, and with their deforestation problems. The Middle East is unlikely to be much different in this century than in the last couple of decades, but if, and this is a big if, one nation able to seize control of much or all of the ME, then that could spell trouble. With that much oil, they could cause a lot of problems for a lot of the rest of us if the ruling government wasn't friendly to outsiders, which they probably wouldn't be.

Africa will probably get better, but won't be in any position to challenge the US, Europe, or powers of Asia anytime soon.

 

[cubsfan6506]

China will not amerge as a world superpower for anothe 100 years. A nation with so much starvation cannot survive as a superpower. Also the goverment isn't supported by the people. Why people don't support bush they don't support the violent overthrow of the goverment. Based on that and a average income of 6000 dollars per person it is nearly impossible for them to be on the same level as the U.S. China would need to spend money it doesn't have and can't get to elevate itself.

As for the european union superpower. There is no possibility in the foresable future. Due the differing cultures. Greece and Britian will never be in the same state. Also the stature the pope would wan't to have wouldn't be good. Europe will have to become more centralized before this can possibly happen.

 

[Plotinus]

Africa will probably get better, but won't be in any position to challenge the US, Europe, or powers of Asia anytime soon.

This is partly because the protectionist economic policies of the developed world are designed to prevent African countries from competing with them on a fair footing. In some respects the world is like a giant game of Civ: the powerful countries get more powerful, and the weaker ones tend to lose what power they have.

 

[Elrohir]

China will not amerge as a world superpower for anothe 100 years. A nation with so much starvation cannot survive as a superpower. Also the goverment isn't supported by the people. Why people don't support bush they don't support the violent overthrow of the goverment. Based on that and a average income of 6000 dollars per person it is nearly impossible for them to be on the same level as the U.S. China would need to spend money it doesn't have and can't get to elevate itself.

Their economy is growing at a simply amazing pace - about 12% last year, I believe. Thanks to our trade deficit, pretty soon they'll have all the money and infrastructure they need; we are effectively subsidizing their growth.

As for the european union superpower. There is no possibility in the foresable future. Due the differing cultures. Greece and Britian will never be in the same state. Also the stature the pope would wan't to have wouldn't be good. Europe will have to become more centralized before this can possibly happen.

They don't need to become one in every area to act in concert and be either a great help or a great threat. All they need is a common military and foreign policy department. Sure, in order to become truly unified they are going to need to make a lot of changes, but they are on their way.

This is partly because the protectionist economic policies of the developed world are designed to prevent African countries from competing with them on a fair footing. In some respects the world is like a giant game of Civ: the powerful countries get more powerful, and the weaker ones tend to lose what power they have.

Very true. But Africa has something valuable - almost untapped resources, especially mineral resources. With China and India growing so fast, they are reaching into Africa to find all the metal and timber and other materials they need. I think it's quite possible that Africa will be in a lot better position in 50 years than they are now, based on that fact alone.

Of course, it's entirely possible the warlords will keep all the money and screw Africa over, again.

 

[Joe Harker]

China will not amerge as a world superpower for anothe 100 years. A nation with so much starvation cannot survive as a superpower. Also the goverment isn't supported by the people. Why people don't support bush they don't support the violent overthrow of the goverment. Based on that and a average income of 6000 dollars per person it is nearly impossible for them to be on the same level as the U.S. China would need to spend money it doesn't have and can't get to elevate itself.

As for the european union superpower. There is no possibility in the foresable future. Due the differing cultures. Greece and Britian will never be in the same state. Also the stature the pope would wan't to have wouldn't be good. Europe will have to become more centralized before this can possibly happen.

what about the USSR they had many of the problems that china now have

 

[cubsfan6506]

Do you see the U.S.S.R anymore.

 

[NeoHitler]

Obviously:
*USA
Probably:
*PRC
Possibly:
*UK
Probably not but has a slim chance:
*Russia
*India
*France
*Brazil
*Iran
*DPRK
If my friends and I can get some military companies to sell us tanks, airplanes, and other military stuff:
*The Empire (that's the name of our micronation; not affiliated with the Aerican Empire)
But the USA will remain the strongest.

 

[Mirc]

So the UK has much more potential on becoming a superpower than Germany, that's not even mentioned, not even in "probably not but has a slim chance", that has more population, much better average person income, and a more modern system of... well.. about everything?

Edit: Oh, and same for Iran and Brazil?

 

[Steph]

I'm glad to learn France still has a slim chance to be the superpower of the next century