Why is everyone so excited that China is becoming a superpower?

I don't know how anyone could get excited over economics.SolidSnake35

[QUOTE="kuraimen"]Another thing and this is probably the most important one in my book. Ever since we have written memory the "world culture" has been dominated by the "western" mentality. From Greece, to the Romans, to the Spanish, English empires and now the US, everyone of those cultures evolved from an indoeuropean heritage meaning that we are plagued by indoeuropean mentality, which, among other characteristics, is very patriarchal, dualistic and rational oriented. China will be the first big diversion from this pattern. It is probably not the best one but it is a start. I think eastern cultures has a lot to teach us westerners in matters as to how they conceive the world, religion and human nature. EsYuGee

What the heck are you talking about? "World culture" has been dominated by the "western" mentality since recorded history? Where did you get that gem from? I guess a life of learning mainly European/ American history in school has robbed you of the whole picture of world history.

BTW I don't think China will surpass the US in influence or standard of living anytime soon. The people of developed and developing countries are much more attracted to the American system rather than the Chinese one. However, the world is changing. We can't boil everything down into a China vs US argument. How does India fit into the picture? Or South America?

No i'm talking about way before the modern Europe and America were there. The "civilized" world as we like to call it and the one that has called the shots has been bascially an indo-european world which means it relates to the "western" mentality.

Here a map of indoeuropean languages. A language is basically a culture's strongest and most influential assett. The orange areas is strong indoeuropean and the yellow moderate indoeuropean.

It isn't the whole world but the areas that have influenced the world culture the most are indoeuropean.

Having two superpowers makes things more interesting.