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I also applaud that idea. But I do wonder if it's possible to protect/expand trade without military activity. Historically it seems military expansion is the t

• oblio 9y ago
  Nixon expanded trade without the military. Other than that... except for the awful Iraq situation, I don't remember any kind of gunboat diplomacy post WW2. Edit: nevermind, Iran.
• greglindahl 9y ago
  There are plenty of examples in the late 20th century where military activity wasn't a help: Taiwan and South Korea have succeeded despite their military challenges -- and spend basically nothing militarily protecting their trade.
  • aaron-lebo 9y ago
    They can only do that because someone else is subsidizing a large part of their defense (the US). Without that they would have been conquered by NK and China long ago. Ironically, it is the US overspending in military which is part of what is driving his economic push for China instead of trying to compete militarily.
• chvid 9y ago
  The best example is probably the opium wars between China and Britain. Historically the superpower role has shifted hands thru wars. But not with the superpower in direct conflict with the ascending power. The British empire fell apart after 2nd world war in which Britain was a victor. However Britain was bankrupt and all capital that could move had fled to USA.