Do Americans think they will be the super power forever? If not who will replace them?

Question

Superpower can be defined both Economically and also militarilty. We have countries like China which experts estimate will overtake USA between 2015-2020 economically.

History shows that Rome once was the superpower. But where are they now. Even the British were feared at one stage. That also changed. Remember the Vikings? Neither do I. My point is, history shows that superpowers change ever 50-100 years or so.

Answer 1

The US still invests in R&D greater than most countries.

Predictions that the Chinese economy will overtake the US, are dubious...what do you mean by "economy"? GDP? Spread over 4x as many people does not mean a better economy.

Those predictions also typically ignore supply/demand forces not to mention outside forces such as OSHA-type and Environmental regulations.

Who will overtake the US? No one soon. It's really more a matter of the US returning back to the pack. Which seems to be the goal of most current non-US politicians (and many US ones, like the DNC)

Answer 2

From my best recall America is one of the few superpowers to last over 200 years. You noted 50 to 150. If you use 200 years the answer is few or none. Some cultures have lasted longer, but not as big powers reaching into the lives and business of other nations.

Most Americans who think, know that America is on borrowed time; maybe borrowed everything. Anyone who has taken world history and knows a little about casino odds can put a pencil to the end of America.

America like most other powers will be replaced by the revived spirit of the Roman Empire, .a religious power. Now Russia is gone but still here. LIkewise America will soon be gone but will still be here. The sun has set for years on the British Empire, but it is still here.

You mentioned Vikings? Well the Viking spirit is still here in American prisons. The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of a Viking spirit. Just because you don't remember them doesn't mean they go away! (A freebe for you).

The Roman Empire sublimated into the Roman Church and its standards were carried into the new world. Now we see it on a roll in the resurgance of the Hispanic population and Spanish language; its strong and quiet mergers with protestant prelates and populations; and a dozen other political moves around the world.

The U.S. will be retrograde as an economic force. This is well underway. The nations military will remain somewhat strong but the military and global intelligence is already and will be further compromized. China already contolls the west coast of the U.S. and the Panama Canal. The Nation cannot afford to open or close its boarders. The governement will continue to function as a shadow of its former self. It will suffer extensive military damage on the continenant.

Russia still has every weapon it had from the cold war. So basically the next power is religious and the military might shifts to Asia, Europe and the mid-east.

Answer 3

In the early 1900s there were multiple superpowers. It was the great strength of the US that established the status quo of there being only one super power. As other countries catch up America is forced to adapt or share the title with other world powers.

The estimates that China will overtake the US economically are just that, estimates. Did you know that we should all be driving flying cars by now? It’s hard to tell what will happen in the next 10-15 years but I have faith that America will once again innovate and lead the world technologically for a few hundred additional years. There are a lot of economic and military trends on the verge of exploding. When they do, the world will be impacted and America will grow.

Answer 4

Ever heard the term "Nothing gold can stay"?

The United States will not be THE superpower forever but I do hope that we do stay up there along side any other economic power.
Militarily we are going to be a major superpower for many more decades, unless we lose a major war. Our people are proud people and generally believe we are going to last forever... I for one believe that none will be.
Economies are dependant on oil. Our banks and every other industry are tied to oil. The oil will not last forever and once that happens, who knows who will be. I guess that's up to the country that has the best techonology to replace our dependence on oil.

China is so far behind in military technology than the US but fact of this matter is that they have the manpower. They have 1.4 billion people compared to our 300 million, that's just amazing to think about.
I love my country and do hope that we are as powerful in 100 years as we are now. Most superpowers last about only 200 years before someone else more powerful takes over in the world. Being one of the sole superpowers isn't a bad thing but it's certainly not the best when we speak of conflicts.

Answer 5

Of course America will not be a superpower forever - Spain, Portugal, France, Russia have all had their brief stints as superpowers. The American economy is so over-extended at the moment that the decent will be a rapid one but one that does not take place for two decades or so. Once economic power is gone, military power will soon follow. Look at the collapse of the USSR - most powerful military in the world (well if not first second) to selling flights in its MiGs for $40,000 in the matter of a few years.

Answer 6

Personally, I'd be grateful for some other coutry to become the next big super power. Then we Americans can demand aid all the time and never pay it back. Someone else would always be criticized no matter what they did and did not do in any situation. Some other country would always have to give aid at the drop of a hat for everyone and anything under the sun. Some other country would have to send troops all over the world.

Answer 7

Probably some Americans think we will always be #1 power. I'm kinda thinking in years to come the concept of a superpower could disappear. Equality (or near equality) of influence could come about in various ways. Example: BF War reduces us all to same level, or a breakthrough in energy production or nanotechnology makes the struggle over energy redundant. I prefer the latter but who can predict? And of course ther are a lot of other ways the ball could bounce too.

Answer 8

Historically speaking, every civilization has had a chance at being the Super Power. Through my eyes, America is running on "borrowed" time. Eventually, we will no longer influence the rest of the Nations and another world power will emerge. Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe CANADA. j/k

If anything, a South American country or all power will go back to Europe.

Answer 9

NO we will be replaced by large multinational corporations. We are giving our industrial might away in the form of outsourcing. We can`t even fire a cruise missile without a chip made in another country.

Answer 10

Nah.

The Romans didn't last forever. Neither did the Byzantines or the English.

I don't expect the US to be a "super power" forever, but I hope it stays a nice place to live for me and my children.