How does the USA maintain its status as a superpower?

Question

Its a broad question, which can have many answers from various aspects. I am refering to the numerous ways in which the USA keeps its power in the world today. What specific economic, cultural, political and military methods does it use? I suspect its similar to the ways in which previous empires in history maintained their power, such as the Romans. What do you think?

To 'oracle': No offense, but you have no idea about politics, economy, and the dark side of human nature. Your description of America is like a Disney movie. People in power would love to have a population full of citizens like you, as you dont see your own country critically, with realistic eyes. Again, I mean no offense to you, but really, that's not why USA is powerful. And its certainly not as "kind-hearted" a country as you think.

Answer 1

There are many different reasons. One would be the power of invention. The romans were the dominant society because they invented highways, the British became the dominant power in the world by inventing a faster and more powerful ship, and America became a superpower by creating the atom bomb. You could also look at it from the aspect of economic abilities. In the past economic imperialism allowed for many nations to become the dominant ones on the planet. Since economic imperialism is no longer accepted and it no longer works, we had to use something else. We began outsourcing jobs. America began creating new technology and attempting to be on the forefront of its production. Then when something bigger and better comes along, we outsource the old technology out to smaller countries while we produce the more advanced technology. We also remain dominant through the use of the media. We have the three largest media production cities in the world, Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta. The world sees America through the eyes of Americans, and most of the world sees the rest of the world through the eyes of Americans. This gives us the ability to control the opinions of our nation through ethnocentric values that are embedded in our psyche. In the long run though there are many different reasons for our power dominance.

Answer 2

It's not maintaining it. It is losing it.
Under the Bush administration the USA has lost the respect of most of the rest of the world.
It used to be seen as a bastion of freedom but Abu Ghraib, Guatanamo Bay and the blatant lies about Iraq have destroyed that image.
The repressive measures against its own citizens in the name of security show the USA on its way to becoming a Stalinist state.
Although it is the mightiest military power the world has ever seen , this comes at a cost and the cost is unsustainable. While it covers the world with its aircraft the infrastructure at home falls apart; look at the condition of New Orleans so long after the flood. In most other countries this would all have been rebuilt by now.
The people live in fear of each other and insist on having the right to carry guns. The schools have armed guards to stop the students shooting each other. This is not normal life.
China now holds colossal amounts of American debt and this will lead to the gradual downfall of the American Empire.

Answer 3

You are assuming, by and large headquartered on propaganda from Iran, that the US intends to make warfare towards Iran. I do not consider Americans might tolerate that except Iran made an overt act towards the US. Terrorisim is a not ever finishing method and Iran who sponsors terrorism now would be the sufferer of terrorism ultimately due to the fact that they're a violent illiberal society wherein the character has no vigor as opposed to to be a sacrifice. India is victimized by way of terrorists and does try to preserve a low profile and do, what the US is quite often accused of, kissing Iran for oil although Iran might slaughter India if and while it might. Americans don't like warfare and don't love to combat in overseas wars. Had there been no nine/eleven the US might by and large no have joined the UN in Afghanistan. Nations of th global like being at the global level and aspect of that sublime is to diss the US as a method of flexing due to the fact that the US is used to dissing and does no longer retaliate for that (see France who disses the US always). India is an rising global vigor and has a navy that is strong for that area. India might by and large be on its possess in a warfare however the US, as consistently, might search negotiation for peace. No different country on this planet does that, no different country is helping different international locations at the degree that the US does. The query isn't must India help the US, the query must be might the US help India. The American persons might however there might be factions in India who might take quandary with that. The American persons have an overly prime regard for India so much of that is headquartered at the importance that Indian/Americans have in American society. And India/American members of the family has consistently been well and headquartered on a constructive historical past. India quite often makes quick time period, quick sighted alliances with different nations for comfort however its dating with the US is some thing that it must admire. If attacked India might have aid from many international locations but when carrying out a warfare of comfort, by and large no longer.

Answer 4

America is a established Country and Goverment and its strength comes from it being a democracy for overall the people support the Goverment through choice.There no doubt that the USA is a superpower and it maintains this status for several major reasons of impact. One is how it established itself as a superpower-having the Economic ,Policitical and Military power to hold its own against any country for it has defeated any and every threat that dared challenge not only herself but any other country,countries that she chose to protect.America is so strongly established as a powerful force that few have dared challenge her and those who did either had to tuck tail and run as Cuba or were crushed.Those that firsthand experienced the devastating destruction by American Force though were not left demolished but were offered all of America's Resources to be rebuilt in being a self sufficient free Govt. That too is a established fact that adds to the force of Americas status.America is also a superpower for it does not have just military force to maintain its status and be effective in changing the worl to its liking but it also has firm established ideas that are universal in its political makeup-democratic ideals which appeal to most of the masses. One of the most imortant factors is that for most of its being a democratic country America has shown Heart-she sees the plight of those suffering in other countries and always helps for she has the economic stability to maintain its own people and still aid all those who need.(its not until the last 4yrs that America's popularity has suffered a bit which I think will correct itself once the present administration has faded into obscurity)How very Unlike Rome America is for Rome was not self sufficient in its economy but depended on defeating with military force the countries of Europe and North Africa as for example Egypt.All the countries it defeated it would then tax and have natural resources and crop products etc brought to Rome. Rome also had no interest in the welfare of the peoples of the countries it defeated but America always has and still does as for example Iraq.Rome and its Empires fell because the one in Power had all the power no checks and balances as we have in a democratic gov't and once it reached its pinnacle Rome became fat and lazy and fell into debauchery-the order,control,dedication,the energy that was Rome faded and finally fell into nothingness. Its what tends to happen ,in time, to all totalitarian goverments for there is no loyalty ,no adhesion-togetherness among the people. This will never happen to America for we cherish her and all she stands for too much.

Answer 5

Mostly because of its permanent standing in the securtiy council which has only about 5 countries as members

Answer 6

It has the largest military budget in the world.

Answer 7

don't allow illegal immigrants to come! USA is a super power because of it's economy there's a big middle class USA - it needs to be maintain

Answer 8

its their military power... it was clear that iraq had no weapons of mass destruction, but they had a war to let the people of the world see that they have the resources to supply their war machines... they demonstrated their power so that no country would rise agianst them....

Answer 9

americans work hard and they have jobs thanks to the capitalistic system.......however the socialist are working hard to tear a great nation down to the level of china russia cuba and vietnam where people have very little to motivate themselves with

Answer 10

our military is larger than every single other nation's armies COMBINED