How Long Will America Lead the World?
Jun 6th 2006, 3:19 pm
#1
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How Long Will America Lead the World?
Interesting editorial by Fareed Zakaria of Newsweek:
June 12, 2006 issue - Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, held in London on June 22, 1897, was one of the grandest fetes the world has ever seen: 46,000 troops and 11 colonial prime ministers arrived from the four corners of the earth to pay homage to their sovereign. The event was as much a celebration of Victoria's 60 years on the throne as it was of Britain's superpower status. In 1897, Queen Victoria ruled over a quarter of the world's population and a fifth of its territory, all connected by the latest marvel of British technology, the telegraph, and patrolled by the Royal Navy, which was larger than the next two navies put together. "The world took note," says the historian Karl Meyer. The New York Times gushed: "We are a part ... of the Greater Britain which seems so plainly destined to dominate this planet'."………………
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13123358/site/newsweek/
June 12, 2006 issue - Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, held in London on June 22, 1897, was one of the grandest fetes the world has ever seen: 46,000 troops and 11 colonial prime ministers arrived from the four corners of the earth to pay homage to their sovereign. The event was as much a celebration of Victoria's 60 years on the throne as it was of Britain's superpower status. In 1897, Queen Victoria ruled over a quarter of the world's population and a fifth of its territory, all connected by the latest marvel of British technology, the telegraph, and patrolled by the Royal Navy, which was larger than the next two navies put together. "The world took note," says the historian Karl Meyer. The New York Times gushed: "We are a part ... of the Greater Britain which seems so plainly destined to dominate this planet'."………………
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13123358/site/newsweek/
Jun 6th 2006, 4:57 pm
#2
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Re: How Long Will America Lead the World?
America has a choice to make...I think some of the bigwhigs are already thinking ahead like the strategic alliance being formed with India. I work as a programmer and half our office are Indians and Pakastanis and for the most part they work hard and are very intelligent. They would rather work here than stay in theur home country. A lot of them are becomming "Americanized" and actually speak their mind now. As long as American businesses continue to take advantage (and not in a bad way) of skilled immigrants than America may not be THE world leader but A world leader. There shouldn't be ONE leader anyways...my bet is with India...China will implode once the population gets sick of the draconian controls the party officials impose. Concerning the link....I agree with this if America makes the right decision..
The genius of America's success is that the United States is a rich country with many of the attributes of a scrappy, developing society. It is open, flexible and adventurous, often unmindful of history and tradition. Its people work hard, putting in longer hours than those in other rich countries. Much of this has do to with the history and culture of the society. A huge amount of it has to do with immigration, which keeps America constantly renewed by streams of hardworking people, desperate to succeed. Science laboratories in America are more than half filled with foreign students and immigrants. Without them, America's leadership position in the sciences would collapse. That is why America, alone among industrial nations, has been able to do the nearly impossible: renew its power and stay at the top of the game for a century now. We can expand our science programs—and we should—but we will never be able to compete with India and China in the production of engineers. No matter what we do, they will have more, and cheaper, labor. What we can do is take the best features of the America system—openness, innovation, immigration and flexibility—and enhance them, so that they can respond to new challenges by creating new industries, new technologies and new jobs, as we have in the past.
The genius of America's success is that the United States is a rich country with many of the attributes of a scrappy, developing society. It is open, flexible and adventurous, often unmindful of history and tradition. Its people work hard, putting in longer hours than those in other rich countries. Much of this has do to with the history and culture of the society. A huge amount of it has to do with immigration, which keeps America constantly renewed by streams of hardworking people, desperate to succeed. Science laboratories in America are more than half filled with foreign students and immigrants. Without them, America's leadership position in the sciences would collapse. That is why America, alone among industrial nations, has been able to do the nearly impossible: renew its power and stay at the top of the game for a century now. We can expand our science programs—and we should—but we will never be able to compete with India and China in the production of engineers. No matter what we do, they will have more, and cheaper, labor. What we can do is take the best features of the America system—openness, innovation, immigration and flexibility—and enhance them, so that they can respond to new challenges by creating new industries, new technologies and new jobs, as we have in the past.
Jun 6th 2006, 5:36 pm
#3
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Re: How Long Will America Lead the World?
Originally Posted by mayflower_compact
America has a choice to make...I think some of the bigwhigs are already thinking ahead like the strategic alliance being formed with India. I work as a programmer and half our office are Indians and Pakastanis and for the most part they work hard and are very intelligent. They would rather work here than stay in theur home country. A lot of them are becomming "Americanized" and actually speak their mind now. As long as American businesses continue to take advantage (and not in a bad way) of skilled immigrants than America may not be THE world leader but A world leader. There shouldn't be ONE leader anyways...my bet is with India...China will implode once the population gets sick of the draconian controls the party officials impose. Concerning the link....I agree with this if America makes the right decision..
The genius of America's success is that the United States is a rich country with many of the attributes of a scrappy, developing society. It is open, flexible and adventurous, often unmindful of history and tradition. Its people work hard, putting in longer hours than those in other rich countries. Much of this has do to with the history and culture of the society. A huge amount of it has to do with immigration, which keeps America constantly renewed by streams of hardworking people, desperate to succeed. Science laboratories in America are more than half filled with foreign students and immigrants. Without them, America's leadership position in the sciences would collapse. That is why America, alone among industrial nations, has been able to do the nearly impossible: renew its power and stay at the top of the game for a century now. We can expand our science programs—and we should—but we will never be able to compete with India and China in the production of engineers. No matter what we do, they will have more, and cheaper, labor. What we can do is take the best features of the America system—openness, innovation, immigration and flexibility—and enhance them, so that they can respond to new challenges by creating new industries, new technologies and new jobs, as we have in the past.
The genius of America's success is that the United States is a rich country with many of the attributes of a scrappy, developing society. It is open, flexible and adventurous, often unmindful of history and tradition. Its people work hard, putting in longer hours than those in other rich countries. Much of this has do to with the history and culture of the society. A huge amount of it has to do with immigration, which keeps America constantly renewed by streams of hardworking people, desperate to succeed. Science laboratories in America are more than half filled with foreign students and immigrants. Without them, America's leadership position in the sciences would collapse. That is why America, alone among industrial nations, has been able to do the nearly impossible: renew its power and stay at the top of the game for a century now. We can expand our science programs—and we should—but we will never be able to compete with India and China in the production of engineers. No matter what we do, they will have more, and cheaper, labor. What we can do is take the best features of the America system—openness, innovation, immigration and flexibility—and enhance them, so that they can respond to new challenges by creating new industries, new technologies and new jobs, as we have in the past.
I'm sorry - I just have to take issue with the bit about people working harder and putting in longer hours - complete rubbish!! The work ethic in my experience is nowhere near that of the UK, yes they work longer hours but do less work in those hours.
Jun 6th 2006, 5:44 pm
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Re: How Long Will America Lead the World?
Originally Posted by Big D
I'm sorry - I just have to take issue with the bit about people working harder and putting in longer hours - complete rubbish!! The work ethic in my experience is nowhere near that of the UK, yes they work longer hours but do less work in those hours.
I think it depends on the industry. Plus there are more people here so the net result is greater I would guess.
Jun 6th 2006, 6:36 pm
#5
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Re: How Long Will America Lead the World?
Originally Posted by mayflower_compact
I think it depends on the industry. Plus there are more people here so the net result is greater I would guess.
the EU? nope
China? nope
India? nope.
all these blocks are gonna pass the USA pretty swiftly
I think the EU has passed the USA already, it's not about money either. If you class riches as community, social programs, quality of life, time with family and vacations then I think the EU is pissing the USA.
Jun 6th 2006, 7:27 pm
#6
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Re: How Long Will America Lead the World?
Originally Posted by Manc
more people compared to where?
the EU? nope
China? nope
India? nope.
I think ... the EU is pissing the USA.
the EU? nope
China? nope
India? nope.
I think ... the EU is pissing the USA.
Jun 6th 2006, 7:47 pm
#7
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Re: How Long Will America Lead the World?
Originally Posted by User Name
As is France's unemployment rate ...
mentioning France alone is like discussing the USA and just picking out statistics for Arkansas.
Jun 6th 2006, 8:13 pm
#8
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Re: How Long Will America Lead the World?
Originally Posted by Manc
I was on about the EU.
mentioning France alone is like discussing the USA and just picking out statistics for Arkansas.
mentioning France alone is like discussing the USA and just picking out statistics for Arkansas.
France is a founding member of the EU, hardly an Arkansas of the EU.
EU-Observer has recently published that “US universities tower over 'dilapidated' EU schools”
Borrowing and morphing a line from the Matrix movie, on this issue you’re living in a dream world Manc. The EU is sinking in its own morass of rules, over-regulation and restrictions on private employers. France typifies the EU ideal, and its economy and job creation capability is heading south.
It's all aboard, the EU Express to high youth unemployment, low productivity, stiffling rules and regulations on small employers ...
Last edited by User Name; Jun 6th 2006 at 8:32 pm.
Jun 6th 2006, 8:22 pm
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Re: How Long Will America Lead the World?
Originally Posted by User Name
The unemployment rate for the EU is around 7.6%, somewhat higher than the U.S. http://ec.europa.eu/employment_socia...ov/213_en.html France is a founding member of the EU.
Jun 6th 2006, 8:31 pm
#10
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Re: How Long Will America Lead the World?
Originally Posted by Partystar
Something I've always wondered about the unemployment rate is, do they count stay at home mums? Housewives? People that don't need to work? How are the figures generated?
I am sure that each country has its own variations so a direct comparison is meaningless.
A comaprison of the changes in the percentage 'might' have some validity, but there are many many issues that you would need to factor to make a true comparison.
Jun 6th 2006, 8:34 pm
#11
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Re: How Long Will America Lead the World?
Originally Posted by Boiler
I think in the UK it is people eligible to receive Unemployment Benefit.
I am sure that each country has its own variations so a direct comparison is meaningless.
A comaprison of the changes in the percentage 'might' have some validity, but there are many many issues that you would need to factor to make a true comparison.
I am sure that each country has its own variations so a direct comparison is meaningless.
A comaprison of the changes in the percentage 'might' have some validity, but there are many many issues that you would need to factor to make a true comparison.
Jun 6th 2006, 8:35 pm
#12
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Re: How Long Will America Lead the World?
Originally Posted by User Name
The unemployment rate for the EU is around 7.6% and around 8% in the eurozone sub-group, somewhat higher than the U.S. http://ec.europa.eu/employment_socia...ov/213_en.html
France is a founding member of the EU, hardly an Arkansas of the EU.
EU-Observer has recently published that “US universities tower over 'dilapidated' EU schools”
Borrowing and morphing a line from the Matrix movie, on this issue you’re living in a dream world Manc. The EU is sinking in its own morass of rules, over-regulation and restrictions on private employers. France typifies the EU ideal, and its economy and job creation capability is heading south.
It's all aboard, the EU Express to high youth unemployment, low productivity, stiffling rules and regulations on small employers ...
France is a founding member of the EU, hardly an Arkansas of the EU.
EU-Observer has recently published that “US universities tower over 'dilapidated' EU schools”
Borrowing and morphing a line from the Matrix movie, on this issue you’re living in a dream world Manc. The EU is sinking in its own morass of rules, over-regulation and restrictions on private employers. France typifies the EU ideal, and its economy and job creation capability is heading south.
It's all aboard, the EU Express to high youth unemployment, low productivity, stiffling rules and regulations on small employers ...
Jun 6th 2006, 9:35 pm
#13
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Re: How Long Will America Lead the World?
Originally Posted by mayflower_compact
........The genius of America's success is that the United States is a rich country with many of the attributes of a scrappy, developing society. It is open, flexible and adventurous, often unmindful of history and tradition. Its people work hard, putting in longer hours than those in other rich countries. .........]
Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh - but are they happy??!!!!!!!
Jun 6th 2006, 9:44 pm
#14
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Re: How Long Will America Lead the World?
Originally Posted by Elvira
Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh - but are they happy??!!!!!!!
Jun 6th 2006, 9:45 pm
#15
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Re: How Long Will America Lead the World?
By 1897 with the benefit of hindsight the British Empire had already peaked and was on the decline.
Reasonable to suppose that the situation today in the US will be looked upon in similar fashion.
WW1 was the killer for the British Empire, Iraq despite all the fuss in a minor colonial campaign, the 'War on Terror' however could well be seen as comparable except its length may be more akin to the Hundred Year Wars. Death by a thousand cuts.
Iraq does have a few comparisions with the Boer War.
Funny how history repeats itself.
Reasonable to suppose that the situation today in the US will be looked upon in similar fashion.
WW1 was the killer for the British Empire, Iraq despite all the fuss in a minor colonial campaign, the 'War on Terror' however could well be seen as comparable except its length may be more akin to the Hundred Year Wars. Death by a thousand cuts.
Iraq does have a few comparisions with the Boer War.
Funny how history repeats itself.