Poll: Will China Replace the US as the World's Leading Superpower?

[Dakinks]

Time recently reported that something like 52% of those surveyed believed China would replace the US as the leading superpower (I can't find the article online).

Personally, what with China's massive natural resources and built in consumer base of millions, it's hard for me to believe that China won't be a superpower. Not to say that it will necessarily SURPASS the US (though I think that's more than likely. Whether it will STAY ahead of the US economically is a different issue), but it's one of the oldest and most influential civilizations in history, and it deserves a spot on the world stage.

That being said, I find it hard to picture China as a superpower other than economically. The world is still in love with American culture, movies, and TV shows, and a large part of China's dramatic rise is due to it's slow adoption of the American system. Modern China has shown, time and time again, that it is not a society overly fond of artistic expression or creative innovation. So, even if China surpasses the US economically, the question is whether it will have more influence. Will we see China as an economic superpower, while the US remains the capital of popular culture, cinema, art, ect? Or does one follow the other? What about Germany, Brazil, Russia or India (all of which have been lauded as a rising superpower)?

 

[MetroidNut]

The People's Republic of China becoming a superpower? Not likely.

They've got the population, resources, and drive. But they're missing one thing - a stable government. The Chinese people's reaction to the recent train crash really says it all; more and more, the populace is demanding an open, democratic government, as well as freedom. I strongly believe it's going to end in revolution, peaceful or otherwise.

Basically, I can see China becoming a superpower (although with the United States' massive lead and trade-benefiting position on both the largest oceans, I'm not so sure they'll surpass America anytime soon). But not without a regime change. And it's worth noting that historically, Chinese revolutions lead to several hundred years of civil war. I'd argue there's a distinct possibility of China collapsing into a rabble of warlords jostling for power, easily within our lifetimes.

 

[aei_haruko]

Yes it will, I am studying chinese because it is inevitable, they own half our debt ( probably more) and their growth is staggering. I figure if I can speak mandarin, then I'll be very well off. My plan is to be a scientist in china because they are well treated, and because they value ingenuity