Just how powerful id the United States of America? Parrt one!?

Question

OK. I have a few things to say. Unlike MOST of the people on yahoo.answers.com I will try to keep my statements Fair and balanced. I have had a lot of things running through my mind these last few days and need to vent some of these thoughts on the YA public.

For my readers, I would like to explain to you who I am. I am a 25 year old male living in the DC area and have strong Conservative views….but by now means am I closed to different points of view. In fact, I appreciate the other side of the coin, and encourage it, for that is what makes this country the greatest country on earth.

Let me first say that neither the Democrats or the Republicans are innately evil nor inherently wrong. We both have our strong points and our weak points, though some more prominent than others. The purpose of this essay is to discuss a few things that clearly have the need for discussion. I will try to keep this short and sweet.

THE THREE WORLD SUPERPOWERS>>>

1) The hyper power
2) The media
3) World opinion

For my Non-American readers, please let me first say that this is no way intended to be a bash against your “power in the world” and is not meant to ruffle feathers and bruise ego’s but there is no doubt that the United States of America is the most powerful nation the world has ever seen. As I just said, this statement is not meant to piss people off, it is said as it is the absolute truth. There is no question about America’s dominance. It reaches the darkest corners of the earth and is as pervasive as the oxygen you and I breath everyday. But why? What makes a super power? Well, I’ll tell you. And I will keep it short as well. Here in lies the reasons for Americas dominance.

WHAT SEPARATES A superpower FROM A HYPERPOWER
1)economically
2)militarily
3)geographically
4)culturally
5)politically

It is not just these reasons alone that make the USA the most powerful nation on earth, but the combination of these criterion that make the USA the heavyweight champion of the world. PERIOD. No nation on earth has or ever will be as strong as the USA. It is true, that there has been close rivals but nothing of this caliber. NOTHING. Only the Roman Empire can come close the American Republic, and even that is a DISTANT second. No country on earth has ever had the strength of America (at least to the extent that we do now). For example, Great Britain may be considered a “superpower” on the world scale but on the American scale would be considered nothing more than the tiny Island they are. Now please, don’t get me wrong, the UK is a VERY strong nation and one of Americas closets allies, but in comparison to the HYPERPOWER it is virtually nothing. I know that sounds harsh, but it is the truth. For my British readers, I compared you to the USA because of your military might “on the world scale”, not to be an Arrogant American. I was just using you people to illustrate my point (As you are clearly the second strongest military power) but still a far distant second to us. But more about this later. So we begin with the economic power.
Although this is one of the most pertinent criterion for a world power, I give it only lip service in that everyone knows that $$$ rules the world. The United States of America has a GDP of 12.5 Trillion Dollars per year. That’s 12,500,000,000$. China has a 4.5 Trillion USD$ GDP. One third what we have and is by no means about to pass us! It is America that makes the world economy “go around”. We invented the “free market” and its our Navy that patrols the sea lanes to keep that free trade possible. Like it or not. America and the American people have invented and engineered more constructive inventions and items than the rest of the world combined. PERIOD. To keep a long story short, without the United States of America…The Global Economy would crumble.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the Hyper power is that of its military power. There is NO QUESTION when it comes to the inquiry of American military might. I realize that there are many out there (in other countries) that will contest this response, but they are absolutely wrong and unjustified in there train of thought. Americas military is 100 times bigger than the rest of the world combined!!!! Period. I could list the accolades of the USAF but I think history will do a well enough job of defending my statement. American Revolution, War of 1812, Spanish American War, Mexican American War, WW1, WW2, COLD WAR, Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq, Iraq, Afghanistan…etc etc. Bottom line…We could beat the rest of the world at war with “one hand tied behind our backs”. Our strength in the military arena is uncontested and to contest the power is to DIE!!!!Period.
As far as geography is concerned, WE ARE HUGE. Britain is powerful (respectively) but is SOOOOOO small, it could NEVER be considered a superpower, little lone a HYPERPOWER in today’s climate! This of course pertains to the rest of the tiny islands and small countries that wish or want superpower status.
Culturally…..FORGET ABOUT IT. I have on word for you! HOLLYWOOD. End of story. American culture is so pervasive it makes the rest of the world look nonexistent. Movies, TV, Music, Ideas, Perceptions, Clothes, Fashion, LIFE!!!. Our culture encompasses all facets of human life and interaction. PERIOD.
Politically….Well… you know how this story goes. Americas is DOMINANT. PERIOD. PERIOD. PERIOD.


THE MEDIA PART OF THIS ESSAY WILL COME ON MONDAY… THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF THIS ARTICLE.

Answer 1

Do you have a question?

In any event, there's a great deal missing from this analysis. One is this idea of 'manifest destiny' which is central to the American ideal, but isn't shared by others. For instance China is in a position, and has been in a position, to expand geographically, but will not do so because of an inherent belief in isolationism. Basically, what you're missing, is that a large part of the world views empire building as a BAD thing, not something to be proud of, thus they don't engage in it. This is especially true in Europe, where the effects of it have been witnessed first hand in living memory. If you talk to most Europeans they are proud of NOT having a strong military presence overseas.

You also have some historical stuff wrong too. The British and Spanish empires were both drastically bigger in scope than the current American military/geographical presence. Remember that Britain at one point had colonised North America, India, huge chunks of Africa etc. Likewise Spain and South America.

And as far as the claim that the US could' beat the rest of the world with one hand tied behind their backs' goes. In the first place, that's nothing to be proud of if it was true. But I'm sure you already know it's obviously untrue. Considering the US military is currently stretched thin, cancelling leave and calling up reserves to fight two small wars in small countries against poorly equipped straggling insurgents in the middle east.

This new breed of imperialism via media dominance is an interesting point, and probably the only one you make - but it's much more complex and much less straightforwad than your analysis allows.

Answer 2

America is Economic super power , but militarily it is hard to say,There is a lot of hardware in the Military that is very useful to beat small nations where America has strategic interests but in the event of an all out conflict those big Aircraft carriers are like sitting ducks and virtually obsolete.It is very hard to order new stuff because it will cost Trillions of dollars to upgrade .Also the arms manufacturers lobby is very power full and they and military brass will resist any change.In these last 15 years there has been an unbelievable advancement in weapon systems by other countries like laser and particle beams,electromagnetic waves,and Mach 2 cruise missiles anti ship weapons specifically designed keeping the United states hardware in mind and USA has no effective defense against them.the only alternative is the atomic weapons with which there will be no winners but all loosers..Yeah also Americans were very good at propaganda.But recent events has reduced the American prestige in most of the world

Answer 3

Your essay is inaccurate and a good example of why a certain type of american is disliked worldwide.
Over 65% of all debt is owed by the USA. China has the largest dollar reserves in the world (900 billion) and the financial deficit of the USA is the biggest of any state in the history of the world.
In other words you are living on borrowed time. You are spending the wealth of your children and grandchildren and they will not thank you for it.
This became apparent to the rest of the world when hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the city ceased to function.
Instead of using the supposed huge wealth of the USA to swiftly restore the city it has been left to fester.
The basic trouble with society in the USA is private wealth and public squalor. History will teach you that this is unsustainable and one day the s h i t will hit the fan and the USA will implode.

Answer 4

That is a very nice essay. Not 100% true, but well meant.
Now would you like me to give you a grade?
B+ with a gold star.(:

Sorry, but I had to take off for punctuation and spelling.

OH, and for Le Bee Bee,Iusedto have sense,incongru, and BrianR, shut your pieholes and stop insulting all Americans because of the error of 1. Who do you think you are? Zip it. You give your country a bad name, I actually thought there were some intelligent people over there, guess I was wrong, huh? Are you ALL as moronic as you 4? Hope not.

Answer 5

I'll keep my answer short !!
Yes America is a very powerful country, it must be because successive UK governments have licked your arses even when said government is controlled by our Labour Party (which by the way is a watered down version of what Mr Castro has going on in Cuba) even when your country is clearly barking mad.

I think you will find China is going to overtake the USA in the old cash department sooner rather than later, their economy is growing big time and how many manufacturing jobs have disappeared recently in America?
Oh! and China has about 2000 years of culture compared to your what, a mere 200 years, I have older furniture!!

Answer 6

Up your anus, GitFace. Here in England, we are aware that you lazy, uneducated dolts are the Through-Aways of all Countries, that have been Daft enough to try a Long Sea-Voyage to a Promised Land, only to find Predudice there as well. 'West Side Story '? It is to your credit that you display your differences through Hollywood, but you are all murdering, violent, Gun-Happy Bastards.
I personnally will Never Travel to the US, except maybe to try the Over-Large Steaks that you Obese Morons scoff down. I would be too worried about the number of DickHeads with Guns. I was going to Tampa, and Clearwater, but I discovered there are ~ 300 Shootings per Year. Fat Chance of me going. Here, in my City of ~ 700,000 People, we have had ~ 4 Shootings in 20 Years. And you Fat Bastards are Better ? Shove it. About time you came in Line with the Rest of The World, and not just Guns. You will make Peace with the Islams ForthWith, Dick. It is Pissing us all off not being Safe in Airports because you NumbSkulls are unable to Talk Sense to the Swarthy Poor Sods. My parents did not Travel abroad this Year by Air, largely because of You.
Also, a few Japanese, Italians and Germans very nearly Took your Country not Long ago ( WWII ), so don't come the Impregnable Bollocks here. Only finding Oppenheimer, and Stealing a few Sweating German Rocket-Scientists, have made you isolated Wanks any Power at all.

However, I have worked for Companies of many different Countries in England, and the American had the Best way of Working. Better than the British ones. Of course, they were largely intelligent. As a Young Country, you are yet to be Judged.
All the Best, Brian.

Answer 7

there has been alot of discussion in the answers section about whether you are actually raising a question in this post...

in 1995 a guy called theodore j kaczynski bullied the new york times and the post into funding the publication of his manifesto.

i think, in the context of your "essay", the above statement begs the question "what kind of two bit, f grade, megalomaniac are you?"

i mean, anyone can post on yahoo!answers.

ps. nice going bob b!

Answer 8

"Just how powerful id the United States of America? Parrt one!?"

*puffs on pipe*

Yeah, the United States of America, very powerful id. would you like to tell me about your mother and father?

I'm very much looking forward to part two, though I think I can guess what it will be..

Answer 9

If America is so damned powerful, why couldn't it beat Viet Nam and why can't it win a war in Iraq?
Pride goeth before the fall!

Answer 10

If you want to be taken seriously, and not the ignorant naive hick you are, then you desperately need to go back to school.
Not a single statement you have written is factually correct.