# If not America, who would you like to be The Superpower? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 2, 2002, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076 "2002-12-02T23:42:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Sparc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Sparc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparc)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/41 "2002-12-03T11:55:35Z")
> [@](#): > > _Mehitabel_ > > 1. The assumption of the OP is that yes, there is one remaining superpower. You can’t postulate that all the countries would hold hands and share the power, or any other tree-hugging hippie crap Strange premise for debate. Granted that the US is the world dominant superpower… but calling it the _’one remaining superpower’_ willfully ignores the existance of China, the EU and super-powers-to-be like India and Russia, and paints the canvas in a peculiarly tricolor star spangled hue. Furthermore; that universalism would be the most obvious alternative to US world dominance is rather on the simplistic side of things, and the idea that universalism is to be equated with social liberalism and eco-anarchism is just plain wrong. More importantly it is absolutely useless to compare the US in any respect to a nation state like for instance Denmark. Denmark would be a comparable answer If the question was: “Posit that Delaware would be the one world dominant superpower, what other state would you rather see in Delaware’s place?” Gotta keep your apples and oranges in separate baskets! The US can only be fairly compared to other federal unions like Russia, Germany, Great Britain, or other large supra-state bodies like China, the EU or India. That being said I nominate Andorra… Sparc ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/42 "2002-12-03T12:08:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lusec Vincent \* > \*\*Oh, come on, whats wrong about killing a couple of whales now and then? Its not they’re killing too many of them, after all. As for the argument that its cruel to kill whales the way its done right now; whales are animals, meaning they’re a natural resource. Does it really matter if they die a painful death? \*\* Welcome to the boards. I suggest that if we’re to have this particular discussion, we don’t do it here. Feel free to open a new thread in [Great Debates](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/forumdisplay.php?forumid=7). ---
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/43 "2002-12-03T12:20:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Splanky \* > Or maybe Switzerland- **Cuckoo clocks** would be mighty cheap! > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nametag \* > Oh, please, NOT Switzerland. They get people all glassy-eyed with the chocolate and the **cuckoo clocks** … Cuckoo clocks are German, not Swiss. Blame Orson Welles for the confusion if you like. ---
**Author:** ![Barks\_dog\_food](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c68b51/32.png) [@Barks\_dog\_food](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barks_dog_food)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/44 "2002-12-03T13:56:08Z")
clairobscur wrote > [@](#): > > I vote for Denmark. They have a pretty good overall record, have never been a nuisance to anybody in recent history, feel concerned about world issues, but more about poverty than about oil, so they could be lenient world leaders (tough I don’t like much their current governement). Ask yourself, if Denmark realy wanted peace wouldn’t they give Greenland, Iceland and Faeroene back to Norway, and any way they still keep Greenland as a colony. NaSultainne wrote > [@](#): > > I hereby nominate…SCOTLAND! Ask yourself, if Scotland realy wanted peave wouldn’t they give Shetland and the Orkney Islands back to Norway. And Sweden, Ask yourself, if Sweden realy wanted peace wouldn’t they give Båhuslen, Hjemtland and Herjedalen back to Norway. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/45 "2002-12-03T14:06:22Z")
I can see it now… Tree-hugging hippie: “I told you. We’re an anarcho-syndicous commune. We take it in turn, to act as sort of an officer for the week–” King Arthur W. Bush: Yes I see." Hippie: “–but all the decisions of that officer have to be ratified at a special bi-weekly meeting–” King Arthur W. Bush: “Yes, I see.” Hippie: “–by a simple majority, in the case of purely internal affairs–” King Arthur W. Bush: “Be quiet.” Hippie: “–or by a two-thirds majority, in the case of–” King Arthur W. Bush: “Be quiet, I order you, be quiet!” Hippie: “Order, eh? Who’s he think he is?” King Arthur W. Bush: “Why, I am your King!” Hippie’s wife: “I didn’t vote for you.” King Arthur W. Bush: “You don’t vote for Kings.” ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/46 "2002-12-03T14:22:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bark’s dog food \* > \*\* > > Ask yourself, if Denmark realy wanted peace wouldn’t they give Greenland, Iceland and Faeroene back to Norway, and any way they still keep Greenland as a colony. > > Ask yourself, if Scotland realy wanted peave wouldn’t they give Shetland and the Orkney Islands back to Norway. > > And Sweden, Ask yourself, if Sweden realy wanted peace wouldn’t they give Båhuslen, Hjemtland and Herjedalen back to Norway. \*\* It seems to me that Norway has dangerous imperialist views. Something should be done… ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/47 "2002-12-03T15:14:05Z")
Maybe Faeroene just wanted to throw off the heavy yoke of Norwegian Imperialism and asked noble Denmark to aid it’s just cause. I too wish to vote for Scottish overlordship. I think the capitol of the world should be Loch Ewe. “TOGAIBH A SLEIGH!” ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/48 "2002-12-03T15:25:16Z")
I’d like to see the Israeli Empire, as hinted at (all too briefly) by Poul Andersen in _The High Crusade_. Just for the fun of it: Andorra, San Marino, or Tahiti. Better choices: Czech Republic, Morroco, or Brazil. ---
**Author:** ![Feynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@Feynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feynn)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/49 "2002-12-03T16:09:15Z")
Having to think before my second cup of coffee… ouch. We (Canada) would make a decent superpower after I take over as supreme dictator… 🙂 Our attitude towards things is generally pretty laid back and were not the types to meddle in the affairs of others. Of course, as a Superpower we might have to go out and open up a 2-4 of whupass from time to time. The sight of our brave warriors mounted atop herds of moose should be enough to strike fear into anyone and keep them in line. Barring that, we could always threaten to send Celine Dion to tour countries that oppose our might. All trade would have to be done in metric. Of course, imperial measurements would still be available for the metrically challenged. (We’ll put it in small print beneath the metric). Since I’d be dicatator I would adopt certain customs from other countries like afternoon siestas, feeling that if everyone got to take an afternoon nap we’d all be in a better mood and there would be less fighting. This would save our troops and herds of moose from being overused to quell disturbances. Living in Canada really is like being mixed into a big salad; we like to believe that we respect the beliefs and cultures of the people who have chosen to live here and their presence enriches the experience that is being Canadian. With such a large population of immigrants and many of us being first or second generation Canadians we seem to have retained a closeness and affection for the countries from whence our ancestors originated. ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/50 "2002-12-03T16:10:03Z")
I want Britain to be a superpower again…But I know that won’t happen because it’s just too darn small! ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/51 "2002-12-03T16:22:18Z")
> [@](#): > > Heh, Lobsang, the UK in your description… It’s not really the UK It’s an actual seperate island with a govornment and electricity and things. I know my profile is technically wrong, but it helps people understand where the Isle of Man is in the world. ---
**Author:** ![kingpengvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/52 "2002-12-03T16:23:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Feynn \* > \*\*Barring that, we could always threaten to send Celine Dion to tour countries that oppose our might. > > \*\* Shhhhhhhhhhhuuddddddupp! You don’t want to give away our super secret plan. We’ve spent decades infiltrating their entertainment industry to take them down and now you blab! Only fourty more years and with the diminishing water supply everywhere else we’ll rule them all! HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHA! I second (or third) Freedonia. besides I can’t wait 'till their president gets through with it ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/53 "2002-12-03T16:34:08Z")
The London Borough of Wandsworth (having left the UK). Jellied eels for all!!! ---
**Author:** ![zuma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9c0ed/32.png) [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/54 "2002-12-03T17:11:30Z")
Well, I’d trust Australia absolutely and without doubt. They strike me as the most pragmatic/enlightened/balanced country to weild the power. UK is out per the rules, but they would be next. Mexico would not make me uncomfortable. ---
**Author:** ![CuriousCanuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@CuriousCanuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CuriousCanuck)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2002, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/55 "2002-12-03T18:30:05Z")
Well, Canada would be nice (as long as Jean Chretien goes, and Paul Martin does NOT take his place), but cince it won’t ever be us, my vote is for… SEALAND!!! GW Bush runs the country and makes foreign policy according to oil profits, so what place could be a more appropriate throne of the world than a sovereign abandoned oil rig? ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2002, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/56 "2002-12-04T04:10:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by owlstretchingtime \* > \*\*The London Borough of Wandsworth (having left the UK). > > Jellied eels for all!!! \*\* God, man, is there no END to your perfidy?! I KNEW there’d be lots of votes for Canada. And I don’t suppose that Australia was ever a big imperialist power except to the Aborigines, which was pretty nasty but not disqualifying for the purposes of the OP. Still shuddering at the threat of English cuisine. I live in NYC where you can choose from like ten Somalian restaurants but I honestly don’t know if there are any English resturants. Irish, sure. And some English food in bars and stores for expats. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2002, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/57 "2002-12-04T13:04:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mehitabel \* > \*\*God, man, is there no END to your perfidy?! > > Still shuddering at the threat of English cuisine. I live in NYC where you can choose from like ten Somalian restaurants but I honestly don’t know if there are any English resturants. Irish, sure. And some English food in bars and stores for expats. \*\* SOMALIAN RESTUARANTS!!! You are having me on! No we will conquer the globe with over cooked vegetables, spotted dick and black pudding. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2002, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/58 "2002-12-04T22:52:39Z")
What’s so odd about Somalian restaurants? There are some in Toronto too. And yes, Canada is an _excellent_ candidtate for Supreme Superpower and Ruler of the World. We woin’t call it that, of course. We prefer to be known merely as a mation of competent communications engineers, cartoonists, comedians, and eaters of poutine. Let others strut in the spotlight. They’ll distract the assassins. Canadians have successfully hidden our dark side from the world for so long that no-one except watchers of Canadian film knows it’s there. We will be relentlessly polite and insistent in our conquest. Our moose cavalry will be world-respected. The billions and billions that formerly went to the now-unnecessary military establishments will be used to provide health insurance and education for all. And everyone will own at least one Rush CD. However, if the mantle of World Superpowerdom must passto another land, I vote for Iceland.Or Brazil. Or Slovenia. ---
**Author:** ![Father\_of\_Loki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/13edae/32.png) [@Father\_of\_Loki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Father_of_Loki)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/59 "2002-12-05T01:29:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sunspace \* > \*\*Canadians have successfully hidden our dark side from the world for so long that no-one except watchers of Canadian film knows it’s there. > > We will be relentlessly polite and insistent in our conquest. Our moose cavalry will be world-respected.\*\* Unfortunately, because of the last mild winters, our moose cavalry are being terrorized by an over abundance of winter tick hordes and, like the rest of our military, is being decimated by blood suckers. However, we still have our impressive beaver ground troops with which to threaten other regions with defoliation. Their ranks are also being bolstered by beaver defectors from the U.S., as a result of such incidents as [http://www.yourpropertyrights.org/dam\_fun.htm](http://www.yourpropertyrights.org/dam_fun.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076/60 "2002-12-05T04:55:05Z")
Ha! Crazed Canadian beavers, eh? Every woman in America will be sporting a beaver coat two weeks after y’all try to pull that one. Unless the beavers can shoot back, our hunters will get all the ones the killer bees and SUV’s don’t. (I am heroically resisting any and all dirty jokes and I hope you can too.) The moose ticks do scare me, though. We’re all tucking our pants into our socks round here for the deer ticks and I hate to think what you have to do about moose ticks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-america-who-would-you-like-to-be-the-superpower/140076.md?page=4)