In 2100, which country will have the strongest military?

Genghis - "But look at how long Britain's economic dominance lasted, economics doesn't change that fast on such a grand scale."

I think perhaps the reason behind Britains economic dominance was their military might, which enabled them to control the resources of less developed countries and ironically is a more stable way to gain economic power. This is not as possible today as the current socio-political scene wouldnt allow it and Britain didnt have the kind of media we today have to deal with.

Even though... i suppose some would say America use their military might to control the resources of less developed countries. wink wink  

Edited by Mr Bobo

Genghis - "If anything it's more possible today because America can relatively easily set countries on fire from the sky if they really make us mad.  It's the same time of relatively simple and non-binding force projection the Royal Navy offered Britain."

Hm well so basically what your saying is that America will use its military power to maintain economic dominace by 'setting fire' to its competitors? Well if that truly is the state of affairs were headed for nuclear annihilation as all the major powers exact revenge on one another after their buisness deals dont work out.

Seriously, u think that America can do what it likes when it likes? it only just scraped through politically and socially with a war against an inhumane dictator in a poorly developed country. I wouldnt be so quick to assume that America can just march their troops in to every situation that is not going to their liking, not every act of violence has an evil dictator as a scapegoat.   

Edited by Mr Bobo

I think perhaps the point your missing though is that places like libya and iraq arent in americas economic vital interests which i was trying to portray as a key factor in deciding military power. Sure America can justify going to war with countries like this as saying its part fof their 'war on terror' and their protecting themselves but thats really as far as it goes, if America thought that China's labour resources were threatening them I doubt wether they could do the same kind of thing.

I think perhaps the Afghanistan and Iraq wars actually weakened America's position as a military power in a roundabout way; they lost support with other countries; this affects trade, economics and allies (who are also part of any military strength), the aftermath of iraq and the sticky situation there at the moment will affect any future military involvements by the US and her allies as iraq will be a benchmark for what they can expect in the future.

Also i get a bit tired of hearing about America's naval and military 'supremacy', i hope you do realise much of the 'might' of the American army is propaganda, from accounts i have read of army officers from Britain and Australia on the subject on military training for instance, America has quite poorly trained armed forces who as individual soldiers are not very higly regarded. Thats said i still acknowledge that America most probably has one of the best armed forces, but i would be wary of labeling them as 'supreme' without knowing the full facts.    

Hey, thanks for the welcome

nice sig btw   

France is getting close to China...

But I personally don't like how the French government is dealing with the situation between China and Taiwan. Its strictly an internal affairs thing. You don't deport people for not supporting the 1 China principle...

i think you mean "sensitive".
actually it isnt a sensible subject to bring up recently.

  Yes you're right, but my post was not a reply to your. Still i think even if choosing to attack china would be madness, if any US government were to vote war, no one would be able to stop, would they win or not.

China --- biggest economy and a major military similar to that of the us.

Europe --- an important world figure and is strong economically and politically.

The US --- still a powerful state but not as extreme as it is now relatively speaking.

Japan --- a declining country just like Britian after WW2.

Russia --- a new big market like China today