4 ms·

No. After the end of WW2, the US was the "obvious" leader but not the actual leader. European countries were still the leader of the colonized countries, China/

by csomar 4y ago

No. After the end of WW2, the US was the "obvious" leader but not the actual leader. European countries were still the leader of the colonized countries, China/Japan/SouthAmerica were figuring things on their own, the EU united, some arab countries wanted to influence/control oil, Russia was planting communism around the world, etc... In fact, the US was not much at that time. It had power but little influence. Think of someone who is very rich $$ wise, but can't influence the politicians, police, or the mayor and has no connections whatsoever.

sph 4y ago
Sorry, I still don't get it. Forget WW2, you said the US became the leader in 2010. I argue it has been the only superpower with worldwide economic and military reach before that date, if not since the end of WW2. Also, why 2010? If you're referring to the economic crisis, I can't see the US position in the world stage being affected post-2008. You also say EU was another leader, but Europe is a superpower that has always been under the American wing since the end of the war. If US said "jump", Europe has been asking "how high" since 1945. They're best pals, but only one of them actually calls the shot. But the point isn't Europe. It's that US has been the big boss for the entire post-war era, Soviet Russia tried to establish itself but failed and declined, now China has been having much more success than USSR ever did, but they are not looking to play second fiddle, hence this talk about WW3.
- csomar 4y ago
  Okay, I'll try to explain. Let's say you have 10 armadas with nuclear weapons and shit. Cool stuff and you do have power, at least on paper. Now country A is speaking French, they are trading with country B; and they are importing their shit from France. They use the Swiss banking System. And they rely on German for cars. Most importantly, if you ask them for passage they say "No". They don't seem keen to please you despite your military superiority. Worse, Country "C" just straight out hate you and will undermine your companies and efforts. They also don't seem to be afraid and willing to go on a losing war with you. See? The US had military power coming from WW2. But they didn't have the equivalent financial or political power. Other countries did. They have been working on establishing puppets all over the place with varying success. But it's not as easy as having the military; and some military interventions went really badly.
  - sph 4y ago
    I disagree vehemently with your last paragraph. Who are these countries that were stronger than the US and creating puppets after the war? It's the US that has created puppets all over the world. Meddling with South American governments, the Taliban during the Russian invasion of Afganistan, the Gulf War, etc. And yes, the US has lost some wars, but it's pretty much the only one able to pay for an army to invade and fight abroad pretty much every decade! In what kind of a reverso world is a country with 10 armada and nuclear weapons not the top dog? Sorry, I really can't agree with your argument of the US ever having been weak, without saying outright who was/is stronger. If by "other countries" you mean Europe, let me remind you that it is a continent, and even EU is as not united as USA nor creating puppets anywhere. The economic angle doesn't make sense either. US and the dollar has been the world top currency and macroeconomic baseline since the 70s.
licebmi__at__ 4y ago
I don't see the EU running a Gladio like operation on US territory. What I do see is the lack of repercussion after it was revealed that the was executing these operations in Europe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Gladio https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Gladio

by csomar 4y ago

sph 4y ago

Sorry, I still don't get it. Forget WW2, you said the US became the leader in 2010. I argue it has been the only superpower with worldwide economic and military reach before that date, if not since the end of WW2. Also, why 2010? If you're referring to the economic crisis, I can't see the US position in the world stage being affected post-2008. You also say EU was another leader, but Europe is a superpower that has always been under the American wing since the end of the war. If US said "jump", Europe has been asking "how high" since 1945. They're best pals, but only one of them actually calls the shot. But the point isn't Europe. It's that US has been the big boss for the entire post-war era, Soviet Russia tried to establish itself but failed and declined, now China has been having much more success than USSR ever did, but they are not looking to play second fiddle, hence this talk about WW3.

csomar 4y ago
Okay, I'll try to explain. Let's say you have 10 armadas with nuclear weapons and shit. Cool stuff and you do have power, at least on paper. Now country A is speaking French, they are trading with country B; and they are importing their shit from France. They use the Swiss banking System. And they rely on German for cars. Most importantly, if you ask them for passage they say "No". They don't seem keen to please you despite your military superiority. Worse, Country "C" just straight out hate you and will undermine your companies and efforts. They also don't seem to be afraid and willing to go on a losing war with you. See? The US had military power coming from WW2. But they didn't have the equivalent financial or political power. Other countries did. They have been working on establishing puppets all over the place with varying success. But it's not as easy as having the military; and some military interventions went really badly.
- sph 4y ago
  I disagree vehemently with your last paragraph. Who are these countries that were stronger than the US and creating puppets after the war? It's the US that has created puppets all over the world. Meddling with South American governments, the Taliban during the Russian invasion of Afganistan, the Gulf War, etc. And yes, the US has lost some wars, but it's pretty much the only one able to pay for an army to invade and fight abroad pretty much every decade! In what kind of a reverso world is a country with 10 armada and nuclear weapons not the top dog? Sorry, I really can't agree with your argument of the US ever having been weak, without saying outright who was/is stronger. If by "other countries" you mean Europe, let me remind you that it is a continent, and even EU is as not united as USA nor creating puppets anywhere. The economic angle doesn't make sense either. US and the dollar has been the world top currency and macroeconomic baseline since the 70s.

licebmi__at__ 4y ago

I don't see the EU running a Gladio like operation on US territory. What I do see is the lack of repercussion after it was revealed that the was executing these operations in Europe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Gladio https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Gladio