Is United States of America still number1?

Question

nightdrot · Accepted Answer

In absolute terms, yes, the USA is still number one. At least as measured in terms of the economy. In military terms, the USA is similarly number one insofar as its' technological prowess and combat capabilities are concerned. (It being added that, in terms of the numbers, the armed forces of the USA have never been number one. Here the metric is quality, not quantity.)

That said, it needs to be recognized that #1 is not a concrete definable thing, but it is rather a dynamic. For example, as alluded to above, the Russian and Chinese armed forces have always outnumbered the USA by simple virtue of the fact that their populations are larger. With larger populations, they have larger manpower pools and thus are able to be build numerically superior armed forces. The quality of their training and equipment generally not being the equal of the Americans.

By other standards, the USA has, in material terms, the highest standard of living. Reasonably low unemployment, low inflation by global standards, reasonable health care, low axes by global standards, etc.

Even here, this is offset by other realities. Americans prefer the tyranny of the streets to the tyranny of the government. Thus the law rests lightly on the society and the culture, with the net effect that by the standards of the West, the USA has viciously high crime rates, even in relatively stable periods.

The American welfare state is relatively small by Western standards - though as the American population ages, the portion of the state dedicated to the elderly is getting larger. After all, the elderly vote in higher numbers than most other demographic groups - the net effect being an overall high poverty rate by Western standards.

The list goes on. Add it all up, and the USA comes out reasonably well by global standards. However, global affairs are dynamic and the status quo is not assured. In terms of the West, the USA is apt to remain number 1 given the demographics, economics and population factors.

However, China and even Russia are now making a serious challenge to the USA in the international arena. Because they are dictatorships not accountable to their electorates, they have been able to dedicate a disproportionate share of their resources to their armed forces and thus challenge the USA.

See also the Chinese Navy which now outnumbers the USA's Navy as exhibit A. Given the USA's status as a maritime power and her use of maritime trade as well as need to be able to project her power across the oceans, this is an extremely serious development. Yet, the American public, preoccupied as it is with other domestic issues, will not divert resources to meet the challenge.

Similarly, the Chinese and Russians may more easily divert their nominally more limited resources to critical economic sectors - such as tech. This also presenting a grave danger to American preeminence.

Put it all together and yes, at the moment, by the numbers, the USA remains number one. However, it is a position that - not for the first time - is in peril. It remaining an open question if the American public will recognize that threat and begin to adopt policies to address it.

razelove · Accepted Answer

Our debt, prison population, and military spending are all number 1.

We make up other metrics that aren't objective to give ourselves the number 1 spot besides that, like calling ourselves the most exported culture, and active economy (so we can say the debt is positive)

Jessica405 · Accepted Answer

USA is still number 1, but it is in great danger of becoming number 2 or even 3.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

Nope, this President election will be horrible.

Anonymous · Answer

Without question. But many factions of the world are much more united in thier cause to thwart that then ever before.

The United States without question led the way the last half of the 20th century in the global community. But our failed sanctions towards Russia over the invasion of Ukraine proves how little the global community is united anymore. China and Iran both seek to diminish the United States standing in the world. And they aren't against openly supporting Russia's bullying of Ukraine to do it.

War with Iran might be inevitable at this point. At least with China they're vastly invested with the United States. So war with the United States would be economical devastating for everyone.

DarkWinterNights · Answer

Debatable, it’s no where near as good as it was a couple of decades ago. But the whole western world is having an existential crisis. So it’s a matter of personal perspective.

GuyAnswersGirls123 · Answer

Still #1! USA, USA, USA!

argot · Answer

Yep! We had that much of a lead on the rest of the world that we can show the world what left wing nut jobs really want to do to the world for several years and still be on top even with all their destruction.

JacobJordan · Answer

US hasn't been number 1 for at least 40 years. We lead the world in very few categories.

monorprise · Answer

Only because the the only country that could challenge us have their own problems which are far worse still.

jimmy2 · Answer

All the illegals 18 million wait till food riots Murders Terrorist cells Good job Biden the absolute worst president of United States  Let applyed the dunbass

Levin · Answer

No. I believe it has been overtaken in obesity by Mexico and a few Pacific Islands.

Astarlessnightsky · Answer

Its in some aspects, but in other aspects its on the middle places.

DarkLegacy · Answer

Nope not anymore. People are waking up and smelling the coffee, plus their economy is in shit shape. Plus look what they put in as Presidents (gibbering idiots).

Dargil · Answer

Yes, but not for long if we elect Democrats.

exitseven · Answer

It is still number 1 but 4 more years of Mr. Potato Head and we won't be.

iFarted · Answer

Skip to @2:55

Yioas · Answer

Lol it’s finished. I’m so glad india and china will takeover. The west is over, your country is imploding in on itself and I’m loving every second of it

Anonymous · Answer

The American Dream has been brutally murdered by a bunch of morons who think they can defy the laws of economics and not cause massive amounts of suffering.

Sevenpointfive · Answer

not where i live.

KrakenAttackin · Answer

What we are is on the brink of civil war.

Anonymous · Answer

It was never number one.

goaded · Answer

In what?

Is United States of America still number1?

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