Galtung: U.S. empire will fall by 2020

Before you flame me and ignore the the link,Johan Galtungsays the collapse of theUS empire will actually be good for Americans! He argues that the US will become more efficient, just like the Fench, British and Russia when their empires collapsed.

Better services, health care, improved schools etc !!

I'm all for it. Though I don't think we qualify as much of an empire as is.

Why do you ONLY post anti-US stuff? I mean seriously. :|

I'm all for it. Though I don't think we qualify as much of an empire as is.

darkmoney52

I never saw it from this angle untill now. The way he explains, its a win win situation for all.

Why do you ONLY post anti-US stuff? I mean seriously. :|

Pirate700

I didnt, this is a pro US topic.

US Empire? Since when are we an empire?

If this does happen, I just hope whoever fills the inevitable power vacuum will not be a worse and more terrible world power. Although I am doubtful of such a thing developing.

Johan Galtung says the US will become more efficient, just like the Fench when their empires collapsed.

majwill24

OMG; of coarse, we'll learn from the Fench.

:P just kidding.

but; honestly, I don't wanna risk making another "dark age" period.

Yes! Road Warrior here we come! =D

US Empire? Since when are we an empire?

gameguy6700

US Empire? Since when are we an empire?

gameguy6700

Every nation have or will fall once in its lifetime, USA will too, but I doubt it's in 2020. It will in any case have a great effect on the whole world none the less.

Uh IMPOSSIBLE! the worlds going to end in 2012 cuz the mayans said so (or they got tired of making calendars)

The mighty US empire, consisting of... the US and... uh, what?

The mighty US empire, consisting of... the US and... uh, what?GabuEx

[QUOTE="GabuEx"]The mighty US empire, consisting of... the US and... uh, what?Link256

I'm sure that Puerto Ricans are certainly feeling awfully oppressed under their tyrannical American rule.

The mighty US empire, consisting of... the US and... uh, what?

GabuEx

The mighty US empire, consisting of... the US and... uh, what?

It only seems to be to Maj. He makes 100 of these fall of the American Empire threads a month.Pirate700

If this does happen, I just hope whoever fills the inevitable power vacuum will not be a worse and more terrible world power. Although I am doubtful of such a thing developing.

jetpower3

The mighty US empire, consisting of... the US and... uh, what?

GabuEx

The empire description of the US is not literal, many pundits and scholars who apply it to the US are just using the most familiar and recognizable term. I assumed Americans knew that it was just another way of describing US power and influence beyond its borders.

It's difficult to classify the US because a lone super power power in a globalised world cannot be rationally seen as just a "strong" nation. The economic, military and cultural influence has to be weighed, not just overt control of foreign territories.

Also, I think its very telling that some are focusing on the empire adjective and ignoring the overall message of what could be a better and more efficient US. I can't believe so many on the OT voted NO for the poll!

Did the word "empire" just throw voters into patriotic frenzy of standing shoulder to shoulder, united in support of excess and waste?:shock:

Wow, so just because we're the sole superpower in the world at the moment, we're an "empire" eh? Yeah, no. If the US had imperial intentions, I'm pretty sure Canada, Mexico, and all of South America would be part of our country by now....

However, I am wondering about what's going to happen to us when China wants to collect all the money we owe them...

EDIT: Oh, and as for this poll. No, I do not think the US will be any better after the "empire" falls apart. Republicans and Democrats would still exist, so I doubt that anything would change.

Wow, so just because we're the sole superpower in the world at the moment, we're an "empire" eh? Yeah, no. If the US had imperial intentions, I'm pretty sure Canada, Mexico, and all of South America would be part of our country by now....

However, I am wondering about what's going to happen to us when China wants to collect all the money we owe them...

agilefalcon16

lol 'sole superpower'NSR34GTR

be a sport; don´t burst his bubble.

Wow, so just because we're the sole superpower in the world at the moment, we're an "empire" eh? Yeah, no. If the US had imperial intentions, I'm pretty sure Canada, Mexico, and all of South America would be part of our country by now....

However, I am wondering about what's going to happen to us when China wants to collect all the money we owe them...

agilefalcon16

Don't worry, your country have the resources to pay it back easily. Look at this from theCongressional Research Service that was released a few days ago. Also, dont forget the recent massive discovery of gas

The supply impact has been dramatic. In the lower 48, states thought to be in decline as a natural gas source, production surged an astonishing 15% from the beginning of 2007 to mid-2008. This increase is more than most other countries produce in total.

Equally dramatic is the effect on U.S. reserves. Proven reserves have risen to 245 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) in 2008 from 177 Tcf in 2000, despite having produced nearly 165 Tcf during those years. The recent increase in estimated U.S. gas reserves by the Potential Gas Committee, representing both academic and industry experts, is in itself equivalent to more than half of the total proved reserves of Qatar, the new LNG powerhouse. With more drilling experience, U.S. estimates are likely to rise dramatically in the next few years. At current levels of demand, the U.S. has about 90 years of proven and potential supply—a number that is bound to go up as more and more shale gas is found.

lol 'sole superpower'NSR34GTR

Err.... yeah? Since the Soviet Union collapsed, we HAVE been the sole superpower. However, I imagine that will change in the next decade or so with China gaining strength...

Don't worry, your country have the resources to pay it back easily. Look at this from theCongressional Research Service that was released a few days ago. Also, dont forget the recent massive discovery of gasThe supply impact has been dramatic. In the lower 48, states thought to be in decline as a natural gas source, production surged an astonishing 15% from the beginning of 2007 to mid-2008. This increase is more than most other countries produce in total.

Equally dramatic is the effect on U.S. reserves. Proven reserves have risen to 245 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) in 2008 from 177 Tcf in 2000, despite having produced nearly 165 Tcf during those years. The recent increase in estimated U.S. gas reserves by the Potential Gas Committee, representing both academic and industry experts, is in itself equivalent to more than half of the total proved reserves of Qatar, the new LNG powerhouse. With more drilling experience, U.S. estimates are likely to rise dramatically in the next few years. At current levels of demand, the U.S. has about 90 years of proven and potential supply—a number that is bound to go up as more and more shale gas is found.majwill24

While this is cool information, I don't think we have the resources in place at the moment to gain access to all that oil, gas, and coal.... and I'm afriad that China will try to collect before we get a chance to build them. :(

People who say that the United States is not an empire really need to check their facts. The US has the cultural, political, military and financial power of any past empire and has a huge amount of influence outside its national boarders. Whilst I don't think there will be a massive 'fall' of the United States empire, there will be a shift in power base over the next decade. Whilst many people have said it, by 2020 China will have enough "power" (culturally, financially, politically, militarily) to be a formidable opponent to the power of the US. Also, by 2020 the European Union could also be an entity which could pose a threat to US power.

By 2020 I predict there will be three major sources of power: The United States (along with Canada and possibly the UK and Japan), The European Union (nations on mainland Europe and possibly the UK) and China (possibly in an alliance with Russia). There could also be a power base brewing with the Middle East Arab Nations (nations like Iran, UAE and Egypt) and in South-East Asia (Indonesia with its large population). Also the only types of wars that will occur will be something like the Cold War, where the main nations will never come in direct conflict with one another. Thats what I believe will occur.

PS - I love the Clash of Civilisations writing by Samuel Huntington.

The mighty US empire, consisting of... the US and... uh, what?

every nation will fall or at the very least the goverment will have to adapt that time will come for everyone..... has it come for the U.S yet i don't know, will it come eventually....yes

[QUOTE="BiancaDK"][QUOTE="EmpCom"] I was thinking the same, guess the requirents to be classed an empire are somewhat less strict nowWolls

[QUOTE="Wolls"][QUOTE="BiancaDK"] big if ur big ur empire like star wars, see?jimmyjammer69

[QUOTE="jimmyjammer69"][QUOTE="Wolls"] lol i think the idea is that the different states are classed as countrys or something....kinda weird really :PSTAR_Admiral

Yes, it would be a good thing. Our Government is extremly corrupt and inefficent.... not to mention our culture is completely absurd.

Yes, it would be a good thing. Our Government is extremly corrupt and inefficent.... not to mention our culture is completely absurd.

EMOEVOLUTION

Extremely corrupt? There are many, many places that are far more corrupt, inefficient, and more repressive than the U.S.'s. I'd wager that you would be hard pressed to find a nation with more than 100 million people that is less corrupt. Besides, within any government, there is some corruption. I don't think you know the half of it. And what's the deal its culture? How is it completely absurd?

[QUOTE="Wolls"][QUOTE="BiancaDK"] big if ur big ur empire like star wars, see?jimmyjammer69

correct, we really are basicaly 50 small nations that come together as 1 big one.

Why is it always the russians that are saying the US will fall? What was that other "expert" saying? That by 2015 the US will be fractioned into 4 areas. The south as part of Mexico, Alaska as part of Russia, the west under the control of the Japanese and the east as a european protectorate? :lol:

So why should I lend any credence to anything this guy has said?xaos

[QUOTE="xaos"]So why should I lend any credence to anything this guy has said?sonicare