Why is the united states powerful?

Question

We don't seem to be making anything. What is it that we provide that is so valuable? How is it that the rest of the world is so poor and we are so well off despite the fact that our manufacturing prowess is gone?

I am a US Citizen, born and bred in the US heartland. I am a patriot, and a person in a position of trust. This question is not coming from an immigrant or someone who hates America. I love America.

I just want to know how it is that the US manages to do so well when our industrial power has declined and China makes most of our things. What are we producing for China in exchange?

Answer 1

What makes you think that the rest of the world is so poor?
Our wealth was accumulated, by our ancestors, through hard work and intelligence. We are still prosperous, because the big sell off of our industry, being perpatrated by their ancestors, isn't over yet. Those industries aren't coming back until the standard of living drops to the level of the rest of the world.

It's just the beginning. Our military is overextended and too expensive. The empire will crumble. Just like every other empire in history. Except our's will be one of the shortest lived empires in history. Because the people, who are selling us out, have no idea what it took to make this country the most prosperous in the world.

Good luck! We're all gonna need it.

Answer 2

Actually, our manufacturing is still extremely strong compared to the rest o fthe world. Not tha tI'm disputing the fact that it has declined considerably--and far more than it should have.

But there are some counter trends that are very important. One is science, technology, and innovation. In that, we are still the world's leader. That, however, has also declined--primarily to cutbacks in support by the bush administration and, even prior to 2001, by te Republican Congress.

Another is that "manufacturing" in the traditional sense isn't as central to the economy as it once was. It's still essential, obvously. But a combination of automation and the growth of service and information industries--both areas the US is extremely strong in--have helped maintain our economic stregth.

I don't mean to suggest there aren't major problems. First, although some exporting of jobs (manufacturing and oterwise) is nrmal, existing policies actively promote this, instead of simply keeping a level playing field between domestic and foreign competitors.

Another problem is that US laws are not being enforced. For example, importers are allowed to use child labor and then use the resultig low-cost products to flood US markets, undermining US producers. And foreign manufacturers are not being held to US product safety standards--with the same result. ETC., etc.

But--for 230 years, the US stock in trade has been innovation, even more than manufacturing. Our economic growth has always been based not on existing industries, but on technological progress and invention. MOST of the great industries of America were created by innovation--from railroads to electronics to automobiles to aircraft to computers--and a hundred others.

The lack of support--and indeed, active opposition to--innovation and research by the current administration is doing far more damage to our competative position than the loss of manufacturing jobs. We can lose those--and always have--IF we continute to do what America does best: create new products and thus new industries and jobs. That is what we do--and do better than anyone else.

There are a wide array of new technologies out there right now--some are stalled for lack of support (like electric cars). some are left to languish to appease special interests (got any idea how much money the coal industry make sbecause we aren't building new nuclear power plants that we have the technology to build safely--and tat could produce power more cheaply?). And so on. There are more examplesl--those are two that most people at least have heard of them.

Answer 3

The United States is not as powerful as many people believe. China, Russia and Iran have a great military. We Americans are brain washed by the government controlled media. Think critically and question what you see on the news. Watch several different news channels per day and you will be surprised at what you learn. Take a look at how long it takes the government to respond to national emergencies. Plus once they do respond do they help or hinder success. Ask a few people in New Orleans. On September 11, 2001 terrorist destroyed two buildings which almost caused the nation to fall apart. Yea we are tough.

Answer 4

Because from the beginning until now, we have been a greed fueled country. We have also been a very religious country. So the men in power then and the men in power now think that God is guiding us, no matter how many Wal-Marts we cover our environment with... no matter how many countries we try to force the "American way" on. It's a complete lack of conscience. And when you have a complete lack of conscience you become corrupt and will do, say or destroy anything to become more powerful.

I think it's funny that people are saying Americans are highly educated. The U.S. is about the only country where the children don't grow up learning two to eight languages. It's also funny to say that we have separation of church and state. Have you been watching the debates? Everyone is saying Merry Christmas and saying they are Christian to get that conservative vote. Happy Holidays!

Answer 5

Are we really that well off? Our standard of living has raised the prices on everything, therefore we make more, then the prices rise again, and so on. I know as someone who is considered "middle class" that it's not that easy here. We work hard for what we have.

I worked food service right after highschool round 9/11 and this guy Olgun from Turkey came here and got a job at my work. After 6 months he had dark circles under his eyes, and rough hands. He was tellin us one day, "I thought this country was going to be so easy. If I worked this hard in my own country I would be as rich as a king."

Did you know that in Europe the work week is 20 hours? Did you know that their vacation time a year is 3 months?? I know not everywhere is like that, but seriously, you can't compare apples to oranges.

Our power comes from our freedom to have the desire to succeed. It really bums me out that so many citizens of this country judge all of us by whatever politics are going on, and not by the people. Freedom is what makes us powerful. Life isn't perfect or easy anywhere. We just have a different approach to things. We work ourselves to death for a HD flat screen.

Answer 6

That's a good question, you have to wonder whether we will continue to be so powerful without our manufacturing base. That said, the US has a lot going for it. There are abundant natural resources and productive farmland. We are a leader in information technology and Hollywood is a big industry that exports its products all around the world. The American people tend to be industrious hard working people.

Answer 7

America’s libertarian system and separation of church and stat allow for businesses to undertake some endeavors that in other courtiers would be considered immoral or even illegal. It’s non communist society motivates people to work for there own happiness and not have to worry about others. This inspires them to be more productive since the harder you work is more directly connected to the benefits they get (as opposed to a socialist society). And lastly the government designs it’s self to support big business (tax system) . All theses things give companies in America a upper hand

Answer 8

Check out the CIA World Fact Book. It's one of my favorites. It has information on every country's military, economy, geography, people, and so on.

The United States geographically can produce a large amount of food and natural resources, manage the resources with a democracy of a largely educated population, and easily defend those resources with a huge hi-tech military and only two boarding nations. Geographically, the U.S. also has more non-Arctic coastlines than any other country except Australia.

Another sad contributing fact is that historically, white Christian nations have felt fine about exploiting indigenous populations for their own gains.

Answer 9

Archival redundancy is originally united nations of America
now there population is 6% of total population. now caled USA this is biggest countrey of the world
from all countreys intalactuvals are setteld in USA becase of highier education and satteld there where will highley education there will be powerful. if governament will best devalop more all accepts in USA all re-scorceses are there
its can do more power full.

Answer 10

It was our manufacturing prowess that made America so powerful! Which was why we were the ones to change the tide of war in WW2!