What are the most powerful and influential countries?

David Floyd · April 26, 2002, 19:34

Which countries, in your opinion, are the most powerful and influential? To me, it's obvious the US is #1, but who do you think comes next? China? Britain? Japan? Germany? Russia? The EU as a whole? And more importantly, do any of these countries/entities have the potential to overtake the US?

MrFun · April 26, 2002, 19:37

There is no country that exists that can ever overtake the U.S.

The second rate country, in my opinion, would have to be Japan or China.

General Ludd · April 26, 2002, 19:40

Uruguay #1!

David Floyd · April 26, 2002, 19:49

MrFun, I would agree with you (

), but many people will argue China's economic growth and massive population will let it overtake the US this century. I think they're wrong, but still.

Asher · April 26, 2002, 19:51

India and China pose very real threats. I don't think they'll overtake the USA (the US won't allow for that), but they'd come pretty damn close or maybe even equal them in power.

HisMajestyBOB · April 26, 2002, 19:51

Besides US, Russia and the EU as a whole seem to be the only countries whose opinions anyone gives a damn about. Sure, China may ***** about something, but t doesn't seem like anyone pays that much attention. Same with France.

MrFun · April 26, 2002, 19:52

Quote:

Originally posted by David Floyd
MrFun, I would agree with you (

),

Sigh --- too bad we cannot reach some common ground on more important issues. But it's still interesting to engage discussion with those you disagree with.

Lonestar · April 26, 2002, 19:52

America, Britain, France....and Perhaps Australia. Russia might be trailing 5th (after the stunts they pulled in the Balkens).

(yes,yes I know the USA and NATO have pulled plenty stunts. I was against it though!)

David Floyd · April 26, 2002, 19:53

I'm not sure anyone really cares what Russia thinks - all they have going for them are nukes.
Chechnya proved that their military, frankly, sucks, and they have no economic clout to speak of.

If the EU ever unifies totally - acts as a nation state, it could present a threat, but I think the US would stay ahead.

David Floyd · April 26, 2002, 19:54

Quote:

Sigh --- too bad we can reach some common ground on more important issues.

*Blatant troll*

Yes, too bad you don't believe in individual freedom

MrFun · April 26, 2002, 19:56

Quote:

Originally posted by David Floyd

*Blatant troll*

Yes, too bad you don't believe in individual freedom

Oh, but I do -- that is why I am a moderate liberal.

so there you damn Rebel

David Floyd · April 26, 2002, 20:00

Without sparking a separate debate, a moderate liberal and a Libertarian mean completely different things when they say individual rights. Now, bah! We can continue this in my Government thread, which I will respond to this weekend if I have a time when I'm not drinking heavily

Imran Siddiqui · April 26, 2002, 20:34

Quote:

I'm not sure anyone really cares what Russia thinks

Apparently NATO does, seeing as it has brough Russia in as an almost equal partner, which allows it to have a say in somethings NATOish

.

KrazyHorse · April 26, 2002, 20:48

Quote:

Originally posted by MrFun
There is no country that exists that can ever overtake the U.S.

"Ever" is a long time. Don't be ridiculous.

KrazyHorse · April 26, 2002, 20:49

Quote:

Originally posted by Lonestar
America, Britain, France....and Perhaps Australia

Australia?

They only have half the population of Canada.

VetLegion · April 26, 2002, 21:00

Israel folks, Israel. They are rich enough, smart enough and organized enough to do whatever they want (see how they got the Bomb) to whoever they want (see Uganda) whenever they want (see catching nazis till this day). Lean mean fighting machine. Plus, US does what they tell it to do

orange · April 26, 2002, 21:01

In order I'd say...

United States
Great Britain and the commonwealth
Japan
Russia
Germany
France
China

VetLegion · April 26, 2002, 21:18

France.. I dont think so.

They are too disunited.

It takes WILL to be superpower... ALL it takes is will, national consensus that yes, you are ready to sacrifice lot of money and effort to become one. I dont think French have it... Germans too, not any more.

Its difficult to be able to mobilise people these days.

Lonestar · April 26, 2002, 21:20

Quote:

Originally posted by KrazyHorse

Australia?

They only have half the population of Canada.

A quick glance at the cia-Worldfactbook proves they have 2/3s.

In any event, the Aussies (dispite some on this board) must have a pair of big brass ones to strong-arm Indonesia to grant East Timor Independance.

KrazyHorse · April 26, 2002, 21:24

Seriously, Lonestar. They spend more per capita on their military, but it's still lower overall than us, and I don't see anybody nominating us into the world superpower position.

The Russians and Chinese are both much more powerful than Australia, as are Germany, Italy, Japan, etc.

KrazyHorse · April 26, 2002, 21:24

Quote:

Originally posted by Lonestar
In any event, the Aussies (dispite some on this board) must have a pair of big brass ones to strong-arm Indonesia to grant East Timor Independance.

They also have the backing of the UN and NATO...

Lonestar · April 26, 2002, 21:32

Quote:

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Seriously, Lonestar. They spend more per capita on their military, but it's still lower overall than us, and I don't see anybody nominating us into the world superpower position.

That's because Canada doesn't need to blow it's money on a large military. It doesn't have a large, agressive country next to it that outweighs it in population 10-to....

Oh wait, damn.

Point is, The Aussies never had 10% of it's armed might held hostage by a disgruntled shipping company. That is all.

April 26, 2002, 22:31

A TV show I was watching tonight were talking about the Saudi Prince and G. Bush.
Saudi has GDP last year of $200. Billion. The US had a GDP of $10 Trillion even with the 9-11 event and the later slow down on the stock market. So on the ecom. side it may be hard for someone to catch us for a few more years.
On the military front anyone can build a hugh military, but will it be any good. Iraq was the forth largest in the world until Jan 15, 1991. Before Jan 15, China was no. 1, Russia was no. 2, the US was no. 3, and Iraq was no. 4.
Today I think China is still no. 1, but now I thing the US is no. 2, Russia is no. 3, who know who is no. 4, N. Korea?

VetLegion · April 26, 2002, 22:40

Turkey has a standing army of over 500 000, so they may be it.

Spiffor · April 26, 2002, 23:40

On the economy, USA and EU are equal in commercial bargainings (ca. same GDP, EU is unified in these talks). Militarily, the US will be outstanted in the middle term (20 years or so) by the rising China. But today, the US has no rivals when it comes to fiplomacy or military, even if it often needs support.

David Floyd · April 26, 2002, 23:41

Vet, the NKs have 1.1 million and the SKs have over 650,000 - both ahead of Turkey.

orange · April 26, 2002, 23:58

Finland!

(Christ, I'm surprised no one got THAT one yet!)

KrazyHorse · April 26, 2002, 23:59

Orange, I'm going to have to remind you of the criterion you should apply

:

If Canada could kick their ass, then they're not a powerful country.

Al B. Sure! · April 27, 2002, 00:01

Germany and Japan are economically powerful (well Germany was before its economy has become tied into the EU), but they lack the military forces (and natural resources, despite their technological manufacturing) to be influential.

thanks

notyoueither · April 27, 2002, 00:10

This thread is great... Thanks KH and Lonestar.

Canada vs Finland. Now there's an interesting Winter War.

'Honey, I'm home.'

That's nice dear. Did you have a good time?

'Funny thing happened. I thought we were going to fight a war, and then a hockey game broke out...'