What are the most powerful and influential countries?

[David Floyd]

Which countries, in your opinion, are the most powerful and influential? To me, it's obvious the US is #1, but who do you think comes next? China? Britain? Japan? Germany? Russia? The EU as a whole? And more importantly, do any of these countries/entities have the potential to overtake the US?

[MrFun]

There is no country that exists that can ever overtake the U.S.

The second rate country, in my opinion, would have to be Japan or China.

[General Ludd]

Uruguay #1!

[David Floyd]

MrFun, I would agree with you (), but many people will argue China's economic growth and massive population will let it overtake the US this century. I think they're wrong, but still.

[Asher]

India and China pose very real threats. I don't think they'll overtake the USA (the US won't allow for that), but they'd come pretty damn close or maybe even equal them in power.

[HisMajestyBOB]

Besides US, Russia and the EU as a whole seem to be the only countries whose opinions anyone gives a damn about. Sure, China may bitch about something, but t doesn't seem like anyone pays that much attention. Same with France.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by David Floyd
MrFun, I would agree with you (),

Sigh --- too bad we cannot reach some common ground on more important issues. But it's still interesting to engage discussion with those you disagree with.

[Lonestar]

America, Britain, France....and Perhaps Australia. Russia might be trailing 5th (after the stunts they pulled in the Balkens).

(yes,yes I know the USA and NATO have pulled plenty stunts. I was against it though!)

[David Floyd]

I'm not sure anyone really cares what Russia thinks - all they have going for them are nukes.
Chechnya proved that their military, frankly, sucks, and they have no economic clout to speak of.

If the EU ever unifies totally - acts as a nation state, it could present a threat, but I think the US would stay ahead.

[David Floyd]

Sigh --- too bad we can reach some common ground on more important issues.

*Blatant troll*

Yes, too bad you don't believe in individual freedom

[MrFun]

Originally posted by David Floyd


*Blatant troll*

Yes, too bad you don't believe in individual freedom

Oh, but I do -- that is why I am a moderate liberal.

so there you damn Rebel

[David Floyd]

Without sparking a separate debate, a moderate liberal and a Libertarian mean completely different things when they say individual rights. Now, bah! We can continue this in my Government thread, which I will respond to this weekend if I have a time when I'm not drinking heavily

[Imran Siddiqui]

I'm not sure anyone really cares what Russia thinks

Apparently NATO does, seeing as it has brough Russia in as an almost equal partner, which allows it to have a say in somethings NATOish .

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by MrFun
There is no country that exists that can ever overtake the U.S.

"Ever" is a long time. Don't be ridiculous.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Lonestar
America, Britain, France....and Perhaps Australia

Australia?

They only have half the population of Canada.