Why, what do you think might happen? (Just curious....)
I don't really know, that is why I was curious what others thought and I have appreciated all the responses.
In very broad brush-strokes I do think the following but it is very opaque to see where it will all lead too but here are some thoughts that may, or may not, be right:
Although many factors come into play for a country to be a "Superpower", the two key factors, I think, are economic power and military power (which is really derived from technology today, not massive numbers).
America's military might seems to be pretty stable for the near-term future but I wonder what will happen if America ceases to be an economic power? then what?
Right now, the dollar is the world's reserve currency so that gives America a lot of sway and flexibility with the economy and an independence that other countries may not be able to enjoy (for example, if some other countries just started to print their own money, they would devalue there currency and probably set-off inflation in their economy) but what happens if, and when, the world decides to no longer trust the "good faith" of the US government (since the money is not based on gold but just confidence in America)? China buys allot of our T-Bills (debt) and, from what little I understand, if they were to call in all their notes, we could not pay them back (of course, China has a vested interest in us buying their goods so they do not want to upset that so they continue to buy our debt to keep theirs, and our, economy going.)
If America should cease to be an economic power and our economy no longer attracts the "best and the brigthest" from other countries, then our technological edge may wane too.
I think, and this is pure speculation and I am open to learn on this, but I think, based on the present trajectory of America, that if America does not get its fiscal house in order, America will cease to be THE super power and will descend while others rise and be one of a few world powers - it will be one among its peers. Understand, I am not saying this is good or bad, just commenting on what I think may or will happen in the not-to-distant future.
I think China wants to be a Superpower and is working towards that end.
I think, at some point, there will be parity between America, China and a few other countries. This will not happen over night but I think 50 - 100 years from now, America will just be one of a handful of nations that have equal sway over the world.
Every empire has its day and I think America is at its peak strenght from a military perspective but, from an economic point of view, it seems somewhat weak (but I am not an economist so I cannot really say with certainty) with no real ability to heal itself and that is where I think the downward trend is going to come from (Monetary spiral down).
Ok, that is my thought but I am open to learn on this and have already appreciated the response of others..