Predictions that China will overtake US economically by 2018

[Paulclem]

I've just read in The Times that there are new predictions that China will overtake the US economically by 2018. I know little about how these things are measured, and it may or may not come to pass anyway. I'm not so interested in the nuts and bolts of it here.

What may be interesting is how you feel, and what you think about that. As a citizen of a faded global economic power, the event had overtaken us before I had the opportunity to alter the course of history. I suspect my current shoulder shrugging response is merely jaded acceptance. It is part of the British psyche, though it may not have been before our decline.

I have noted sometimes the great spirit of USA! USA! not necessarily pervading these forums, but being apparent on the TV. How will the ascendancy of China affect US citizens and your good selves? Will it really matter at all, or will there be some effects upon the US psyche.

[Emil Miller]

I've just read in The Times that there are new predictions that China will overtake the US economically by 2018. I know little about how these things are measured, and it may or may not come to pass anyway. I'm not so interested in the nuts and bolts of it here.

What may be interesting is how you feel, and what you think about that. As a citizen of a faded global economic power, the event had overtaken us before I had the opportunity to alter the course of history. I suspect my current shoulder shrugging response is merely jaded acceptance. It is part of the British psyche, though it may not have been before our decline.

I have noted sometimes the great spirit of USA! USA! not necessarily pervading these forums, but being apparent on the TV. How will the ascendancy of China affect US citizens and your good selves? Will it really matter at all, or will there be some effects upon the US psyche.

You're way too late with this, it's been discussed frequently for the past five years. In answer to your last double question, the answers are YES and IT ALREADY HAS.

[Varenne Rodin]

For me, the gilding was off of the lily years ago. I have become increasingly disgusted by the pompous attitudes of the media and our political figures. I think being humbled could be a good thing, if we as a group take it in a positive direction. I hope the world will be forgiving of our transgressions as we become a more weakened nation (in ways). I still very much love my country, this place that so badly wanted to be a free community. I love the land. I love California and its progressive laws to protect its people. This will be my home until I die, rich or poor.

In ways we are already a part of the Chinese empire. I don't know what to think about that at all. China is ancient. It has sustained very well. Its economic ascension should come as no surprise. The government is efficient toward its goals, though that success has been and is often at the expense of individuals. American national government has become hindered by the freedoms it implemented; the bickering and corruption those freedoms gave way to. I don't know which is worse.

[Varenne Rodin]

It is 5AM here and I have not slept. Please pardon me for anything that may have been incoherent.

[Emil Miller]

[QUOTE=Varenne Rodin;1102793] American national government has become hindered by the freedoms it implemented; QUOTE]

Which is why the Chinese have no intention of going the same way.

[Paulclem]

So there is scope for discussion.

[Paulclem]

For me, the gilding was off of the lily years ago. I have become increasingly disgusted by the pompous attitudes of the media and our political figures. I think being humbled could be a good thing, if we as a group take it in a positive direction. I hope the world will be forgiving of our transgressions as we become a more weakened nation (in ways). I still very much love my country, this place that so badly wanted to be a free community. I love the land. I love California and its progressive laws to protect its people. This will be my home until I die, rich or poor.

In ways we are already a part of the Chinese empire. I don't know what to think about that at all. China is ancient. It has sustained very well. Its economic ascension should come as no surprise. The government is efficient toward its goals, though that success has been and is often at the expense of individuals. American national government has become hindered by the freedoms it implemented; the bickering and corruption those freedoms gave way to. I don't know which is worse.

Do you think the US will try to reassert itself should this come to pass, or will it - like the UK before it - simply try to maintain a "superpower profile"? (I've no doubt that it will remain a superpower, but the UK, whilst being much smaller seems to persist in the myth of Empire such as in the Falklands, and in its support for intervention in the Middle East and Bosnia in the 1990s).

I was reading something about India today too, which is also marching up the economic ladder, but as yet has failed to secure the infrastructure of the country.

[KCurtis]

The government is efficient toward its goals, though that success has been and is often at the expense of individuals. American national government has become hindered by the freedoms it implemented; the bickering and corruption those freedoms gave way to. I don't know which is worse.

I do, and I think you do too. That's why you still love your country, with all it's imperfections and serious flaws.
Freedom.
The Chinese don't have this. Anyone who has ever lived under communism can tell you how horrible it is. I have met a few, and they live here.
We may have stupid politicians, but at least they cannot be president for life Unless those politicians are in congress.

[Varenne Rodin]

I do, and I think you do too. That's why you still love your country, with all it's imperfections and serious flaws.
Freedom.
The Chinese don't have this. Anyone who has ever lived under communism can tell you how horrible it is. I have met a few, and they live here.
We may have stupid politicians, but at least they cannot be president for life Unless those politicians are in congress.

It's a tough call. One is stronger and more sustaining over time. I'm not for communism under dictatorship or to serve an empire at grave cost to its citizens (that's fascism), but some socialist programs are necessary to a functioning society. I've seen conservative effects on the state of Florida and various third world countries. I'm really not sure what the best course of action is or what causes the least amount of harm. I am certain, however, that I have very little say in the matter (if any).

[Alexander III]

These are all cycles. Now is the dusk of democracy in my opinion. It reached it's peak in the last century and was fought against and it perceived and stood strong, and now it crumbles from within rather than from without, like all political systems. Like Monarchy and oligarchy before it.

China is just the physical representation of the change in zeitgeist. For better or for worse, the world will be different, as it always has and always will be.

Shelley put it best, to paraphrase, the only thing immutable is mutability itself.

[Varenne Rodin]

Do you think the US will try to reassert itself should this come to pass, or will it - like the UK before it - simply try to maintain a "superpower profile"? (I've no doubt that it will remain a superpower, but the UK, whilst being much smaller seems to persist in the myth of Empire such as in the Falklands, and in its support for intervention in the Middle East and Bosnia in the 1990s).

I was reading something about India today too, which is also marching up the economic ladder, but as yet has failed to secure the infrastructure of the country.

Good points. I think America will hold on to the tough guy front as long as it can. Eventually I think it will be too impoverished to function better than third world countries. The leaders will be as pompous as ever. These are just my opinions though. I can't pretend great insight on the matter.

[KCurtis]

It's a tough call. One is stronger and more sustaining over time. I'm not for communism under dictatorship or to serve an empire at grave cost to its citizens (that's fascism), but some socialist programs are necessary to a functioning society. I've seen conservative effects on the state of Florida and various third world countries. I'm really not sure what the best course of action is or what causes the least amount of harm. I am certain, however, that I have very little say in the matter (if any).

It is a tough call, and I am not a politically knowledgeable person really. I think if some sort of social program concerning health care is cost effective to all, fine- but I am skeptical. I am certainly not against social programs to take care of people- my son gets SSI due to a mental disability. I also know that in Canada the elderly are taken care of better- and people pay much more in taxes. There is so much more the government can do to save money I think- time will tell.

[Varenne Rodin]

It is a tough call, and I am not a politically knowledgeable person really. I think if some sort of social program concerning health care is cost effective to all, fine- but I am skeptical. I am certainly not against social programs to take care of people- my son gets SSI due to a mental disability. I also know that in Canada the elderly are taken care of better- and people pay much more in taxes. There is so much more the government can do to save money I think- time will tell.

I completely agree with you. We should start by severely limiting special interest lobbying. We should take subsidies away from mega wealthy corporations like the cotton industry. I'm not even saying we have to tax them more, we just shouldn't GIVE them taxpayer money. People will still buy tons of jeans and t-shirts. Cotton doesn't need extra free money. There are lots of things that can be done to lessen money burdens for the whole nation, but our two party system is basically one party now, and it's corporate. I have no idea what's going to happen in the next election, but I think the outcome will be the same.

[Darcy88]

I do not think there's ever in the history of the world been two top dog superpowers who did not butt heads militarily. Nuclear deterrence will likely prevent all out war, but I can easily envision the development of another cold war scenario. Once American economic power wanes an appreciable extent it will be left with only gunboat diplomacy to assert itself.

[Varenne Rodin]

I do not think there's ever in the history of the world been two top dog superpowers who did not butt heads militarily. Nuclear deterrence will likely prevent all out war, but I can easily envision the development of another cold war scenario. Once American economic power wanes an appreciable extent it will be left with only gunboat diplomacy to assert itself.

I agree with this. Again, the question I ask myself is, when is the best time to move out of this country, and where to?