The Fall of a Superpower May Be Near

For decades already, the United States of America has been widely considered the lone superpower of the world. With a technologically advanced military, a sprawling economy where most of the top companies and financiers are based, a high-profiled society and a very influential government, the US is indeed a superpower. In almost every global event, the US always has taken its stand and has introduced and influenced its values and beliefs to other foreign countries.

Today, the lone superpower in the world is in danger of faltering and losing its influence. And though it is hard to imagine something so huge and so complicated suddenly falling apart, the collapse may in fact be accelerating at a pace that tomorrow may spell doomsday to this mighty nation. A computer scientist name Christopher Langton believed that superpowers or great countries are complex systems. All their composition operates in harmony and equilibrium.

But that equilibrium is often threatened by critical risks. These risks, if not taken into consideration, may shaken the system and eventually destroy it. In present situation, the US is indeed shaken by the recent financial crisis which caused many financial establishments to fall or to limit spending. But the real problem lies on the increasing budget deficit. Did you know that the US already has $US1.47 trillion in budget deficit for the year 2010 alone.

In the span of about 10 years, the federal debt has almost reached 66 % which is twice the number 10 years ago (32 %). As what the Congressional Budget Office has stated, the federal debt is projected to rise above 90 % of GDP by the year 2020 and reach 146 % by 2030 and 344 % by the year 2050. These figures are staggering as trends all point to a future having immense federal debt.

Another thing to consider is that about half of the federal debt owed by the US now is being owned by foreign financers or creditors. China, which is now considered the second largest economy in the world, may in fact be the toughest rival that the US will face and possibly a new candidate to replace the US as a global superpower.

The truth is the US is already facing a bleak future. Without the drivers for change, the US is in perfect course to lose all its resources and its influence. The question is that are we ready to face the reality that someday the US will eventually lose steam and be overtaken by other potential superpowers. In the near future, we may be seeing a sudden change in the balance of power.