China, the next dominant world superpower?
 

Pretty obvious the US has lost the plot (because we all know an alcoholic needs more to drink right), China basically owns the US ... are they the next world super power?

I for one am brushing up on my Mandarin.. haven't used it for 8 years. Seen an increase in Chinese signups too, maybe time to have Chinese versions of our sites ? ;)

what is a superpower, and what happened to the last two?

Every major nation uses china for the cheap labor. They produce you and me a pair of jeans for about $4 total, that includes all labor and material.

It's a massive conflict of interest for us to want to spread what we term "human rights" to china, yet salivate at the concept of such amazingly CHEAP production. It's just a question of where will the tipping point be. IMHO obviously.

Good point. I think a superpower is a financial superpower first and foremost.

Don't think the US is dead in the water yet, but definitely doing everything they can to fuck up Asap. The one before ... probably Russia, though that was a while ago.

i agree with teh aspect that financial, and not military, makes up the aspect of 'superpower'

but i also think it's just bragging rights to be on top of the pile.. took china less than 60 years to meet and beat most of the worlds economies