Maybe for the better, but all I really have to say is that the Osama has won, he has gotten exactly what he wanted, U.S. economic collapse, less U.S. influence, and a polarized American political system that makes the society question both capitalism and democracy.

Or was it all just an illusion from the start?

Damn clever those "them".

Yeah few decades... more like few years.

The US is gonna be a third world country in less than 10 years if there's no revolution to restore the constitutional republic.

This really is no shock, the US will still be the single most powerful nation, however, with the globalizing economy, this is to be expected. This is not the 1900's anymore.



[edit on 21-11-2008 by West Coast]

i have read the report roughly, what most impressed me are the fictional letters and scenarios laid out there.. make me laugh a lot.

however, America will continue its influence over the next decades if your leaders focus more on production sector rather than the consumption as a move to boost US economy, given america's advantage of tech and creatives.

hope the bad outcomes are never going to happen for the sake of human well being.

I posted this news yesterday, but it seems my original thread has gone unnoticed. Anyways, he was the analysis I posted regarding the news:

I'm currently reading through the report now, it is an interesting read.

The reports paints a portent of the American future: A world without a single superpower, but nations with significant influence. EU will be a "hobble giant", unable to justify its growing economic influence due a "democracy gap". It predicts massive climate changes in New York, resulting in evacuations and a gloomy world where Western democracy is in a minority.

BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) will have increased their influence during the financial crisis of 2008 and taken advantaged of the American economic woes.

NIC also predict nations controlled by rogue elements and a factitious peace Middle East - dominated by the advance of nuclear weapons.

*The whole international system—as constructed following WWII—will be revolutionized. Not only will new players—Brazil, Russia, India and China— have a seat at the international high table, they will bring new stakes and rules of the game.

*The unprecedented transfer of wealth roughly from West to East now under way will continue for the foreseeable future.

*Unprecedented economic growth, coupled with 1.5 billion more people, will put pressure on resources—particularly energy, food, and water—raising the specter of scarcities emerging as demand outstrips supply.

*The potential for conflict will increase owing partly to political turbulence in parts of the greater Middle East.


[edit on 21-11-2008 by infinite]

I can understand people being interested in who will be the future world-shapers and who is on the rise &c. However, why is the fact that America's influence and grip on the world going to weaken actually a surprise to anyone?

Did Americans really think they were sitting on a star-spangled 1000 year Reich or something? That 'Old Glory' would just go on forever? That somehow they were going to be different from the Romans or the British &c?

Indeed, all empires fall. I won't be sorry to see the end of this one.