Re: Will China and Europe surpass the US as a superpower? -- ExUBF's Parlor

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Date Posted: 04:59:24 01/23/05 Sun
Author: Shane
Subject: Re: Will China and Europe surpass the US as a superpower?
In reply to: X 's message, "Will China and Europe surpass the US as a superpower?" on 23:24:27 01/22/05 Sat

No, I don't think this is a liberal question. This is an excellent question. Pat Buchanan is a conserative isolationist in the tradition of our early forefathers. In fact George Washington through Adams inaugural addresses stated that America should stay out of "European entanglements" and that America should not go abroad "looking for monsters to slay". Of course at this point in our history we were a young, fragile democracy and not a very powerful nation. If George Washington were living today would he say the same thing? Also, what kind of moral obligation does a superpower nation have to keep stability in the world? Anyway, America traditionally has been an isolationist country. It wasn't until after WWII that the U.S. took an interventionist role agaisnt the spread of Communism.

To address your question: I don't believe Europe and China have to "surpass" the U.S. to become superpower nations. Nor does the U.S. need to self destruct in order for Europe and China to gain. This is not a zero sum game.
You mentioned the U.S. problems of public education and the dollar. These are problems, but they are problems that can be fixed. They are not "USSR" type problems. The Soviet Union collapsed because of fundamental flaws in its economic system.(among other reasons)Despite what the N.Y. times says the U.S. economy is in good shape. Interest rates, unemployment and inflation are low. Yes, there is now a deficit but as a percentage of U.S. GDP is it low. As far as the U.S. being unpopular it depends where you go in the world. In Asia and other continents the U.S. is quite respected and well liked. I would argue its only in parts of Europe and the middle east that we are at odds.

As far as Europe, they have their own problems as well, which you did not point out. The native populations are shrinking in Europe. The socialist welfare state of Europe is in trouble. In addition Europe is experiencing immigration from radical muslims from the middle east. Because of this, I think France is going to regret its "special relationship" with Muslim nations. If you read the article linked by Chris, the terrorists that took the French journalists hostage spoke of "living according to Muslim law". If this is not a red flag to France and Europe I don't know what is. My European friends can help me with this, but I don't think Europeans think about becoming a "superpower nation" or do they? Europeans think more about EU and one world government right? (UN)
Even Americans did not set out to become a 'superpower' nation. Historically, this is a recent phenomenon.

Anyway, I like Pat B. he is an intellgent and good person. I am also inclined to agree with some of his views. Europeans should not think that every conservative voter agrees with Bush's "Wilsonian" worldview.

>With the US deficit increasing to 5 trillions dollars,
>the movement of US manufacturing capacity offshore to
>China, the movement of information technology to
>India, the drop in the US Dollar to the Euro and Yen,
>the decrease of US prestige abroad, and the decline of
>US education system will this ultimately lead to the
>US becoming a hollow superpower like the former USSR?
>
>Before Shane comment that this a liberal question,
>this point was brought up by Pat Buchanan who is
>highly regarded conservative who thought that Bush Sr.
>was too liberal.

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Replies:

Re: Will China and Europe surpass the US as a superpower? -- Chris, 09:52:35 01/23/05 Sun
- Re: Will China and Europe surpass the US as a superpower? -- ts, 12:48:14 01/23/05 Sun