Is the United States really that powerful?

Question

If American businesses are to be internationally successful other countries have to buy them. Our military doesn't seem to be capable of that much, we haven't made Iraq better and we probably wouldn't even be able to hold our own there if it weren't for the militaries of other countries. We're not the most populous, we're not the most rich, and we don't even have the largest movie industry (Bollywood in India does).

So where is this superpower status coming from?

Answer 1

Ok there are usually like 6 criteria when looking at a nation's power projection and superpower status. America excells at:

Culture: One of the most recognizable cultures in the world. Dominating in economic trade and being the common resort in other diplomatic ventures, whereas external cultures and traditions would be threatened by the need to act more "American" to encourage economic and trading oppurtuinities. Another form of cultural projection would be colonialism. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overseas_expansion_of_the_United_States and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_acquisitions_of_the_United_States

Geography: The 3rd/4th largest country in the world with a wide land or sea area under its control. Territory allows a country to mine minerals and grow food, increasing its self-sufficiency. It is an important factor in warfare as it allows possibilities such as retreat, regrouping and reorganization as well as placing distant radars and missile silos.

Economy and finance: Has access to raw materials, volume and productivity of the domestic market, a leading position in world trade as well as global financial markets, innovation, and the ability to accumulate capital. Human space exploration may be considered one of the key defining economic characteristics of a superpower. Space exploration represents an ability to spend in drastically wide-scale operations. Of course like all traders, America is reliant upon partners and consumers. However, due to the competitive nature of the economic world stage, there is little indication that the United States could simply fall if its exports were boycotted.

Demographics: Due to its economic success and large oppurtuinities (in comparison), America has a large and educated populace and should have a highly developed infrastructure and pronounced cultural and economic ability to shape the regions around them as well as the ones under direct control.

Military: The United States has a highly funded (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_budget_of_the_United_States), organized, pre-eminent military ability, characterized by relative invulnerability, ability to deter or cause great damage, and capacity to effectively project unified military power globally, including nuclear weapons. However, nuclear weapons alone do not necessarily make a nation a superpower, and being a superpower may not necessarily require nuclear weapons, although some would agree that one should at least have the ability to create them relatively quickly. Though it seems though America's grand military is failing to a group of rebel insurgencies, its due to lack of complete support and guerilla tactics. The United States has not mobilized its complete arsenel against Iraq and if it would, it would be a seemingly complete waste as they would be fighting a much smaller and less equipped force.

Politics or ideology: America simply has a functioning political system that is capable of mobilizing resources for world political goals and immense ideological influence. After the Cold War and fall of the Soviet Union, the World became mainly Capitalist and mostly Democratic, alike the US.

Now to answer your other questions, of course the United States isn't the most populous. However, population is no indication of power as management of a high population is fairly difficult (e.g, China). In the world, the United States has the highest GDP (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_United_States) though their Purchasing Parity lags behind the European Union (I think). Even so, its pretty good for one country. Now for the largest movie industry, I think that is ment by sheer number of people devoted in that field. America surely originated it and most definatly has more funding for it.

Now keeping those in mind, America is truly a powerful nation. However, each empire has taken its fall as the leader on the world stage. Only time will tell... (if you were to compare all of the aforementioned qualities, the rest of the world could easily turn America into rubble).

Answer 2

In a word.....yeah. Our military is far and away the most advanced military in the world. Research a little company call General Dynamics. The #1 defense contractor in the world!!! I work at G.D. and you wouldn't believe some of the stuff we have even if I told you!!! But I can't anyways because it's confidential and I'd get arrested for it. Yikes.

Besides the fact that we have been baby sitting Iraq for a couple years now. When we went into that country we invaded, eliminated the threat (saddam), and overthrew an entire country's infrastructure in less than THREE weeks. That is incredible. Now we just have to baby sit the place so that crazy psychos don't overtake the place again and so that the people of Iraq can have a govt. they can participate in.

Our "quality of life" is better here than anywhere else. Things we call commodities are luxuries in other countries. Gas in the U.K. is like 6 bucks a gallon in Europe. Being more populus means you need more resources so I don't see how that's a benefit. Whos better off a family with 1 child or a family with 12??? Chances are the family with 12 is getting govt. help for food, health care etc.

If the news reported on all the good things our country did no one would watch the news. Bad news makes for better ratings and thats why people think we are an irresponsible country. Do some research and educate yourself. This is th world you live in.

Answer 3

I have lived all over the world and you cannot imagine what power this country has until you are in another country, especially one that is not on friendly terms with America.

Do you know history? Military might is what led the power of many nations - Egypt (against the northern groups and sub Saharan groups), the Persian Empire, Rome, the Ottoman Empire, Spain, England, etc.

A secret to this country's success, so far, has also been the flexibility of the constitution and the will and kindness of its citizens.

I can understand what you are saying, but you really don't get it. Do you know how you would be living without a powerful military, a strong constitution and good people? You should travel more.

And be grateful for the kind of people we have in the military. They think of themselves are workers and servants of our nation and do not try to SEIZE POWER the way they do in many nations.

Young lady, travel more and read more and then thank God for our country.

Answer 4

Internationally successful? What about Coca-Cola? That's U.S. owned, and I think its available almost anywhere in the world.

The U.S. is one of the most powerful, yes. If we weren't, then other countries wouldn't come to us when they need help. Its U.S. money, doctors, engineers, medicines, military, etc. that are all over the world trying to help other people and make their countries' a better place. Iraq is not popular, but look at many of our other military actions. One war cannot be used as a yardstick to measure a nation. Our army also trains armies in other nations on how to defend themselves... Phillipines & South Korea, for example.

Answer 5

If we are not the richest country, who is? China? With over 4/5 of it's population in poverty? Our military has the largest presence in Iraq with over 100,000. UK has the second largest with 8,000. I'd say we are holding our own better then the insurgents or our allies are. Super Power status comes from that we hold political influence world wide (not all countries, but all regions). Also, other countries do not have to buy ours, if they can, then they may, other then that, no.

Answer 6

Steddy V says you train other countries military - you sure did - you trained Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge - the US and the UK have no compunction at cosying up to any murdering tyrant - so long as they are anti-Communist - see how you trained troops to commit atrocities in East Timor too.

Fort Bragg in the US, The nursery on the South coast of the UK - Fort Monkton, both train Stay Behind military in Europe.

Italy's Stay Behind Group - Gladio - were responsible for false flag terrorist activities in the name of the Red Brigade - problem was they used C4 - supplied by the CIA and Nato and not something the Red Brigade had access to. So much publicity - such an illiterate American public. Look up Sheepskin in Greece, Gladio in Italy, ROC in Sweden, Projekt 26 in Switzerland. The CIA and MI6 are running subversive ultra right wing groups to unsettle any vaguely liberal government coming to power in Europe and will stop at nothing - even planting bombs and blaming left wing militia.

Answer 7

Shonough. Exodus 20:8-11 SDA

Answer 8

I would have to disagree with your uninformed assertion that "Our military doesn't seem to be capable of that much"

The problem isn't with military capability per se. The US Armed Forces are the finest in the world. This was proven as recently as the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. 160 US pesonnel were pinned down under heavy duress and severely outnumbered. By the end of the battle, between 1,000 and 1,500 Somali insurgents has lost their lives in the battle, with injuries to another 3,000-4,000. Due to the superior training and skill of the US troops, they suffered only 18 dead and 73 wounded.

The problem lies with the Rules of Engagement. It seems that we have decided to let lawyers and judges dictate the terms of the war, with more concerned placed on "human rights" than military victory. Allow the military to do it's job, and we will have no problem "holding our own"

Answer 9

The USA needs to have a quick history lesson with regards to the mighty Roman empire. At one point it ruled most of the ancient world. Corruption within brought it to a halt and it fell. No military could stay strong long with the demands on it that Bush has put on ours. What happens if they are necessary for defense if this country is attacked and he has them committed to Iraq. The national guard was needed earlier this month during the deadly tornados but were unavailable because of the Iraqi commitment. This administration is corrupt and arrogant. The Bush years are as deadly to the USA as the black plague was to Europe. Impeach now before this fool has us into WW3.

Answer 10

We are the richest, by far. Our military is capable of destroying any enemy force, they are being used to build right now which is the oppossite of what they are trained to do. Bollywood movies make nothing in comparrison to ours, not that that really means anything in the powerful department. We are a super power because we can directly effect both the finances and peace of the entire planet on a whim. China is probably number two in this area, especially now that they are ratcheting up their production facilities.