Is the US in a state of decline as a superpower?

Question

As a superpower a nation should have an ability to project itself on a global scale. The US achieves this to a limit through soft force (culture, media, etc...), we are witnessing the "world's only superpower" failing in securing safe, habitable and self sufficient nations on behalf of democracy and human rights. Surely a true superpower would not be in this situation?

Answer 1

Yes, most clearly from a economic standpoint. (weak dollar, low exports, our debt) There is a lot of research that can confirm that. Also, from a PR standpoint, no one like the guys that starts illegal wars. Additionally our health care is a disaster in relation to how the rest the civilized nations do it. Our education standards are lower compared to the rest the civilized nations. Thanks Bush.

There is hope, we can stop it with the right leadership! Look what FDR did.

Answer 2

Well, the U.S. still has the greatest number of nuclear weapons. But it's true. No one really likes the US--mainly because it's a big bully, makes nations poor with the World Bank and other Bretton Woods organizations, and tries to force the WTO and other freetrade treaties. It starts, finances and provides weapons for wars. It doesn't pay it's dues to the UN. Basically, it's a shitless nation, based on capitalism and consumerism. The way to take the nation back--to save it from greedy people calling the shots-- and to better it's world standing you pretty much have to change America from the inside--values and all. I think it could start with environmentalism--grassroots organizations based in the US have great world appeal. Try that kind of globalism instead of the free-trade one. Good luck.

Answer 3

What is meant by "Super Power'?
What is meant by "power"?
Is what most Americans belief in American Power and how it was achieved the correct or corrected version?
Without a doubt the version of concern today is in military power and 'NO" there is no other power as deadly as what Americans possess and have had for over 50 years.Beginning in late 50's the U.S. had enough military power to completley destroy any enemy and the earth for that matter.
In the past the restraint shown in the "not using" that might, mainly nuclear, did cause percived loss of wars, Korea and Viet Nam, because of the totality of dead and dying would of shocked not just US populaces sensabilitys but the worlds.
Could the US today use nuclear force to make a nation succumb to our needs without it offending those sensabilitys and if it did would it make any difference in the use of such force in future to you and our present Leadeship?
That is a different Superpower, "Morality", and that is a question only you can ask of yourself and your government?
As for the so called soft power you mentioned that would take another answer and it too would have some reference to morality, philosophy, economics and understanding the true methodology of US power influencing worlds peoples.

Answer 4

Why should America bail out the rest of the world as they have done for the last 75 years those democracies that advocate human rights but stand by and do nothing but slag of USA for trying will maybe have to stand up and be counted when the new superpowers i.e. China, India, refuse to even acknowledge human rights
Down with Dictators up with Democracy (A True Brit)

Answer 5

Yes. America under Bush has lost the moral high ground: maybe it will never be recovered. Bush waged an illegal war in Iraq because he had to do something after 9/11, and he had the worlds most powerful military at his beck & call.

All those tanks, planes & ships were useless in the war that SHOULD have been fought, the "intelligence war", but the American mindset is totally unable to fight that type of war.

Answer 6

Beyond a doubt. The Bush/Cheney corruption (starting Cheney's secret energy summit right through to the CIA directed torture) has ruined the moral foundation of our country. We are not on the side of right anymore, and will inevitably decline because of this.

Interestingly despite all their war spending and tough talk, they have convincingly established that the US cannot win against terrorists in Iraq. This failure will haunt us more than Vietnam did in the 70s.

It will take take decades for the US to recover from Bush/Cheney and we will never be as strong a nation as the day before Bush was sworn into office.

Answer 7

We have had too many liberals in office, that is why we appear weak to other nations. Clinton allowed so many terrorists attacks to go on, and did NOTHING, for example, the Cole in Yemen, being bombed, our soldiers died, Somalia, when he wouldn't allow our soldiers to help the screaming, crying, innocent people! (Black Hawk Down). Why were we there? To look like scared, fools? I thank God everyday, he was not our president during 9/11, we would have sat back and did nothing, if he had been.
We are still the superpower, but we are softer than if USSR had been instead of us. We believe in freedom, and the rights of others, more than countries like Iran, N. Korea, Russia, etc. We listen, as others do not. Because of this CARE we show others, it makes us appear weak, and too patient. Many people in other countries are jealous of US, and call us names, like liberals in England (who are supposed to be our best friends), Canada, Mexico (who without us, would already have been attacked, and their oil stolen), and france. Well, poo on france, they've never been anyones FRIEND. Nobody I know likes them either!
We are nowhere close to losing our status, but liberals would like you to think so. They're nothing but socialist communists. Read up on communism, and see if you can find any REAL difference between Liberal, and Communist. There isnt.

Answer 8

How can a country that relies heavily on imports of oil be called a "super power" if the rest of the world wanted to stop sending us oil, we would be in a shambles in no time.

Answer 9

America is finished. Why?
Because they've shown themselves to be a nation of bullies and bastarts.
Every nation on earth hates the very air Americans breathe.

Answer 10

What is your point?

Why do we need to be a 'superpower'?

All I want is the ability for self-defense.