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Even if we transition to a multipolar world order and renewed great power competition, America will still be the strongest and most secure global power. It has

Even if we transition to a multipolar world order and renewed great power competition, America will still be the strongest and most secure global power. It has hegemony in the western hemisphere through its enforcement of the Monroe Doctrine; it is protected by the two largest oceans; it has historical, linguistic, and cultural ties to two regional powers on both sides of the ocean (UK and Ireland in Europe, Australia and NZ in the Asia Pacific, Five Eyes, etc.); it is by far the leader in soft power (music, movies, TV, technology, English language, etc.); and most importantly, it has the strongest military by far. Despite strategic defeats in the Middle East and South Asia, US officers gained tons of battlefield experience and the ability to test its weaponry. So even if the US now has to deal with a hegemonic challenger in East Asia (China) and more assertive one in Europe (Russia), its geography and demography give it advantages no other great power has.

jrs235 5y ago
>America will still be the strongest and most secure global power. >and most importantly, it has the strongest military by far. "America" (The U.S.) will likely collapse from internal conflict, possibly precipitated or accompanied by external provocation (cyber warfare, infrastructure attacks, propaganda), that will divide the country and the military. Imagine the U.S. during the Civil War/War between the States. This time there won't be borders between the sides. How is a country facing such internal strife going to be able to control, let alone worry, about global affairs beyond it's borders?
RickJWagner 5y ago
- trembonator 5y ago
wdr1 5y ago
A lot of people don't realize the United States has the second largest air force in the world. Oh, it has the largest too -- the US Air Force. It's just the second largest air force in the world belongs to the US Navy. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/largest-air-forces-in-the-world https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/largest-a...
SeungheonOh 5y ago
I see oddity of article in comparing America to Portugal, France, Soviet, and Britain as well. The unique and original system of Democracy and Repbulicanism that have continuously forced politicians to innovate further protects America from collapsing, unlike China and its virtual dictatorship.
BitwiseFool 5y ago
I think the key unmentioned weakness of the United States is our economic system and monetary policy. Especially because of our ever increasing debt and deficit spending.
- wbsss4412 5y ago
  What do you pose is the implication of that?
  - vidanay 5y ago
    Yeah, I don't really get that either. If push comes to shove and we (the US) devalue our currency, then all the other foreign debt holders are left holding the bag while we just suffer through a couple years of recession.
    - wbsss4412 5y ago
      Usually beneath the veneer of such questions it seems to be some sort of libertarian/crypto fan/anti fiat currency ideologue. Rarely based on sober analysis. I think it would represent a fairly strong change in global power structures, but like you I don’t think the sky would fall.
      - BitwiseFool 5y ago
        I'm the GP and I responded to another comment that my views are influenced by the in-depth articles written by Lyn Alden: https://www.lynalden.com/fraying-petrodollar-system/ https://www.lynalden.com/fraying-petrodollar-system/ It's quite a long read, but I can tell you it doesn't come from a libertarian perspective. It does touch on Bitcoin, but near the end in one of a few theoretical "where things could go" perspective. >"I think it would represent a fairly strong change in global power structures, but like you I don’t think the sky would fall." Agreed, it would be shocking but life would go on. We would just have to live with a new international monetary paradigm.
        5y ago
orev 5y ago
Every (at least most) past conflicts that toppled the dominant players brought with it a new type of combat that those players were not ready for. Troop tactics, air power, etc. In the next one, it will be cyber. We have opened a direct line for all of our enemies to be able to attack us without any regard to geography whatsoever. Critical infrastructure is all online and barely protected by even the most basic security. We’ve already seen multiple utilities go down due to hacks, and those were probably accidents where the attackers were overzealous. It’s not unreasonable to assume that we’re already completely pwned, with foreign interests just sitting back and waiting for the right time to flip a switch. Military and geographical advantages are irrelevant in this scenario.

jrs235 5y ago

>America will still be the strongest and most secure global power. >and most importantly, it has the strongest military by far. "America" (The U.S.) will likely collapse from internal conflict, possibly precipitated or accompanied by external provocation (cyber warfare, infrastructure attacks, propaganda), that will divide the country and the military. Imagine the U.S. during the Civil War/War between the States. This time there won't be borders between the sides. How is a country facing such internal strife going to be able to control, let alone worry, about global affairs beyond it's borders?

RickJWagner 5y ago

trembonator 5y ago

wdr1 5y ago

A lot of people don't realize the United States has the second largest air force in the world. Oh, it has the largest too -- the US Air Force. It's just the second largest air force in the world belongs to the US Navy. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/largest-air-forces-in-the-world https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/largest-a...

SeungheonOh 5y ago

I see oddity of article in comparing America to Portugal, France, Soviet, and Britain as well. The unique and original system of Democracy and Repbulicanism that have continuously forced politicians to innovate further protects America from collapsing, unlike China and its virtual dictatorship.

BitwiseFool 5y ago

I think the key unmentioned weakness of the United States is our economic system and monetary policy. Especially because of our ever increasing debt and deficit spending.

wbsss4412 5y ago
What do you pose is the implication of that?
- vidanay 5y ago
  Yeah, I don't really get that either. If push comes to shove and we (the US) devalue our currency, then all the other foreign debt holders are left holding the bag while we just suffer through a couple years of recession.
  - wbsss4412 5y ago
    Usually beneath the veneer of such questions it seems to be some sort of libertarian/crypto fan/anti fiat currency ideologue. Rarely based on sober analysis. I think it would represent a fairly strong change in global power structures, but like you I don’t think the sky would fall.
    - BitwiseFool 5y ago
      I'm the GP and I responded to another comment that my views are influenced by the in-depth articles written by Lyn Alden: https://www.lynalden.com/fraying-petrodollar-system/ https://www.lynalden.com/fraying-petrodollar-system/ It's quite a long read, but I can tell you it doesn't come from a libertarian perspective. It does touch on Bitcoin, but near the end in one of a few theoretical "where things could go" perspective. >"I think it would represent a fairly strong change in global power structures, but like you I don’t think the sky would fall." Agreed, it would be shocking but life would go on. We would just have to live with a new international monetary paradigm.
      - 5y ago

orev 5y ago

Every (at least most) past conflicts that toppled the dominant players brought with it a new type of combat that those players were not ready for. Troop tactics, air power, etc. In the next one, it will be cyber. We have opened a direct line for all of our enemies to be able to attack us without any regard to geography whatsoever. Critical infrastructure is all online and barely protected by even the most basic security. We’ve already seen multiple utilities go down due to hacks, and those were probably accidents where the attackers were overzealous. It’s not unreasonable to assume that we’re already completely pwned, with foreign interests just sitting back and waiting for the right time to flip a switch. Military and geographical advantages are irrelevant in this scenario.