What are the most powerful and influential countries?

[Heresson]

" But, not only did those "freedom fighters" blow up civilian targets in Moscow, they invaded neighboring Dagestan.

That they do sth wrong doesn't mean that their fight for main target, freedom of Tchechenia, isn't justified. If someone commits a sin, do all of his deeds count as sins?

[Ned]

Originally posted by Heresson
" But, not only did those "freedom fighters" blow up civilian targets in Moscow, they invaded neighboring Dagestan.

That they do sth wrong doesn't mean that their fight for main target, freedom of Tchechenia, isn't justified. If someone commits a sin, do all of his deeds count as sins?

Heresson, Chechnya had won its war against Russia. They were independent and at peace. But when they began trying to conquer neighboring states, a war of freedom turned into a war of aggression. I think Russia had no choice but to defend itself from attack.

This would almost be like the original American colonies trying to conquer Canada after having won its freedom from England. The first was a struggle for freedom. The second a war of aggression.

Ned

[Heresson]

I don't say that it wasn't agression.
But now to say that as some extremists of theirs made scuh attack and that's why I stop supporting them and think Russians can do there hat they want isn't a good thing to do.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Heresson
I don't say that it wasn't agression.
But now to say that as some extremists of theirs made scuh attack and that's why I stop supporting them and think Russians can do there hat they want isn't a good thing to do.

We are having this same discussion concerning Israel and the Palestinians, aren't we. I just hope that we are all consistent in our views.

If Chechnya behaves, the Russians should allow them to go free at some time in the future. But first, the fighting must come to an end. Do you agree?

Ned

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Ned
This would almost be like the original American colonies trying to conquer Canada after having won its freedom from England. The first was a struggle for freedom. The second a war of aggression

You mean like they did in 1775 and 1812?

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
You mean like they did in 1775 and 1812?

We invaded in 1775? What areas?

[David Floyd]

We did, DD...can't recall exactly where right offhand, but we did invade Canada in the Revolution...

[Alinestra Covelia]

In this day and age, military might is not as important as diplomatic leverage, economic influence, and scientific progress. Thus, I would argue that China's largest army status is not particularly relevant. Whilst they could probably wage a very ferocious defensive war, China's offensive strike capability is undeveloped and furthermore there does not appear to be much effort going towards developing this further (beyond rocket capabilities).

Even with military might toned down to its more modern level, America is still by far the most powerful country. In number two place, Japan possesses a strong economy (by any standards except for its own), an adequate military, and scientific parity with America.

From there onwards, you have a choice between several nations, and can choose between present might or projected future potential.

Of all the developing nations, China is best placed for rapid economic growth and may evolve into a nation that poses an economic counterpoise to America. Chinese technology is still lagging behind those of the southeastern "tiger" nations and China has un uphill battle before it can hope for parity. Of course, it's possible, but will require considerable resources and may need something of an administration small miracle.

While China becomes more of a market driven economy, it has retained its authoritarian political system - an unusual mixture, and one that has drawn political condemnation from the West whilst attracting considerable economic interest. Whether or not this same resistance to political reform will continue into the fourth political generation post-Jiang Zemin remains to be seen... perhaps with a new wave of leaders who have not experienced the early days of the Communist Party, reforms may become ideologically easier to speed.

In any case, the question is a fascinating one and one that I believe requires a new outlook than naked competition. The world today is no longer the colonial frontier of the 1800s, nor is it the bipolar battlefield of the Cold War and late 1900s. Now if one country takes an economic spill, the negative effects could spread to all others and will largely outweigh any potential gain to them. I think it's a mistake to view another country as a rival or competitor, especially in this day and age when any government worth its salt recognizes that it cannot do without the support and intercourse of others.

Maybe in 50 years we'll see a strong Sino-US economic and cultural exchange. For two large countries, it's not a bad way to go.

[Heresson]

If Chechnya behaves, the Russians should allow them to go free at some time in the future. But first, the fighting must come to an end. Do you agree?

It depends on what You mean as the end of the fighting.
Russia will nver let Tchechenia go free. It fears that then, every other part of their "federation" would want to separate.

[Ecthy]

As a matter of fact, we will set Poland free one day, if they behave that is.

[SlowwHand]

Just wanted to pop in, and make sure the Republic of Texas was listed.

[David Floyd]

[Heresson]

" As a matter of fact, we will set Poland free one day, if they behave that is

Poor German, You even don't realise that your state is slowly being taken over by Polish mafia...

[Ecthy]

They make you believe that. Propaganda and brainwashing are not unusual means of power in developing countries. In fact the whole Brandt thing was made up, and as we speak your country is begging on its knees for forgiveness to us.

[Serb]

I'd never heard the word "poludye" before, so I looked it up in a few dictionaries (of Old Norse) but couldn't find anything. Can you be more specific as to what word or taxation system you mean?

“Poludye”- this is how it’s sounds on Russian. I recommend to you to look for word “Poluta” in your dictionary, it’s sounds like Slav’s “Poludye” or “poluda”. (I don’t know how to type it properly using Latin letters.) Anyway, I’m not a linguist, so I can’t defend this argument. I’ve just read that in Sweden documents of medieval period this word was used for taxes.

Of course, it's ludicrous to claim that the Vikings didn't know anything about taxation. Skattr = tax, and is a word with relatives in many Germanic languages: German, Old English, Dutch, etc

Ok, ok, I’ve exaggerated a bit.

They (Norse people) definitely were traders as well…

As for me, they were more warriors then traders.

The "Vikings" in question - Rurik, etc. didn't conquer the Slavs, they were invited. Not to forget, there was lots of contact; i.e. intermarriages between Norse and Slavic families during these times. Most likely, the "Vikings" were a small aristocracy, and assimilated very quickly.

Agreed.