Potential superpower: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Entity speculated to be or become a superpower}} |
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{{Original research|date=May 2008}} |
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{{Use Oxford spelling|date=May 2020}} |
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[[File:Superpower.svg|thumb|300px| |
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{{Merge | Superpower | Talk:Potential superpowers#Merge proposal |date=May 2008}} |
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'''Extant superpower''' |
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{{legend|#ffff00|[[United States]]}} |
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[[Image:Superpowers21.png|400px|thumb|The present day governments to be called, or to remain, a potential [[superpower]] for the [[21st century]]. |
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'''Potential superpowers'''—supported in varying degrees by academics |
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{{legend |
{{legend|#ff0000|[[China]]}} |
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{{legend |
{{legend|#000080|[[European Union]]}} |
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{{legend |
{{legend|#00ff00|[[India]]}} |
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{{legend |
{{legend|#ff6600|[[Russia]]}} |
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]] |
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{{legend|{{{color2|#ff6a00}}}|[[Russia]]}} |
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{{legend|{{{color2|#ffdb02}}}|[[United States]]}}]] |
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A '''potential superpower''' is a [[sovereign state]] or other [[polity]] that is speculated to be or have the potential to become a [[superpower]]; a sovereign state or [[supranational union]] that holds a dominant position characterized by the ability to [[Sphere of influence|exert influence]] and [[Power projection|project power]] on a global scale through economic, military, technological, political, or cultural means.<ref name="Munro1">{{cite web |last1=Munro |first1=André |title=superpower |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/superpower |access-date=2 May 2023 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica}}</ref><ref name="Mark1">{{cite news |last=Leonard |first=Mark |date=18 February 2005 |title=Europe: the new superpower |work=[[Irish Times]] |url=http://www.cer.org.uk/articles/leonard_irish_times_18feb05.html |access-date=31 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327034443/http://www.cer.org.uk/articles/leonard_irish_times_18feb05.html |archive-date=27 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=McCormick |first=John |title=The European Superpower |date=2007 |publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]] |author-link=John McCormick (political scientist)}}</ref> |
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Academics predict the possible rise of '''potential superpowers''' in the [[21st century]], mentioning four possible [[superpower]] candidates. Whether the [[Federative Republic of Brazil]], [[Russian Federation]], the [[People's Republic of China]], [[Republic of India]] or the [[European Union]] will be future superpowers is a matter of ongoing debate. The record of such predictions has not been perfect. For example in the 1980s some commentators thought [[Japan]] would become a superpower, due to its large GDP and high economic growth at the time.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,967823,00.html?promoid=googlep time.com] 1988 article "Japan From Superrich To Superpower"</ref> |
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The [[United States]] is currently considered the world's [[Foremost power|foremost]] superpower.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Yen Nee |date=2020-09-17 |title=The U.S. is still a dominant power — but it's not clear if it remains the global leader |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/17/us-is-still-a-dominant-power-but-it-may-not-be-the-global-leader.html |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> It is by some accounts the only superpower,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Bremmer |first=Ian |date=2015-05-28 |title=5 Reasons Why the US Remains the World's Only Superpower |url=https://time.com/3899972/us-superpower-status-military/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |magazine=TIME |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nTKBdY5HBeUC&q=Canada%2520Among%2520Nations%252C%25202004%253A%2520Setting%2520Priorities+Straight |title=Canada Among Nations, 2004: Setting Priorities Straight |date=17 January 2005 |publisher=McGill-Queen's Press – MQUP |isbn=978-0-7735-2836-9 |page=85 |quote=The United States is the sole world's superpower. |access-date=15 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116145100/https://books.google.com/books?id=nTKBdY5HBeUC&q=Canada%2520Among%2520Nations%252C%25202004%253A%2520Setting%2520Priorities+Straight |archive-date=16 January 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dannatt |first=Richard |date=2024-04-14 |title=America has just reminded us there is only one world superpower |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/14/america-has-just-reminded-us-who-is-the-worlds-superpower/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> and the only one for which its status finds broad consensus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mathew Burrows |first=Robert A. Manning |date=2020-08-17 |title=What Happens When America Is No Longer the Undisputed Super Power? |url=https://nationalinterest.org/feature/what-happens-when-america-no-longer-undisputed-super-power-166828 |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=The National Interest |language=en}}</ref> [[China]], the [[European Union]], [[India]], and [[Russia]] have been discussed as potential superpowers of the 21st century; [[Japan]] was a former candidate in the 1980s.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} |
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== Brazil == |
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{| width="auto" style="toc: 25em; font-size: 85%; lucida grande, sans-serif; text-align: left;" class="infobox" |
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!align="center" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" colspan="3"|'''[[Federative Republic of Brazil]]''' |
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|colspan="2" align="center"|[[Image:Flag of Brazil.svg|center|200px]] |
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|colspan="2" align="center"|[[Image:Location Brazil.svg|center|200px]] |
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! style="background:#f0f0f0;" align="left" valign="top"| Economic superpower |
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!align="left" valign="top"|Political superpower |
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|valign="top"| —— |
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! style="background:#f0f0f0;" align="left" valign="top"| Military superpower |
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!align="left" valign="top"| Energy superpower |
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The '''[[Federative Republic of Brazil]]''' has been suggested as a potential candidate for superpower status,<ref name="Arab News">{{cite web |title=Brazil Is the Next Economic (and Political) Superpower |publisher=''Arab News'' |url=http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7§ion=0&article=77040&d=30&m=1&y=2006 |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref><ref name="The Guardian">{{cite web |title=The country of the future finally arrives |publisher=''The Guardian'' |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/may/10/brazil.oil |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref><ref name="Whitman College Pioneer">{{cite web |title=The forgotten BRIC: Why Brazil might be the next world superpower |publisher=''Whitman College Pioneer'' |url=http://whitmanpioneer.com/opinion/2007/10/25/the-forgotten-bric-why-brazil-might-be-the-next-world-superpower/ |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref><ref name="People's Daily Online">{{cite web |title=Brazil to become economic superpower with slower growth rate |publisher=''People's Daily Online'' |url=http://english.people.com.cn/200703/15/eng20070315_357821.html |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> and the country has a good chance of emerging as the world’s first superpower without [[nuclear weapons]].<ref name="Official Website of the Republic of the Phillipines">{{cite web |title=Will Brazil become a superpower one day? |publisher=''Official Website of the Republic of the Phillipines'' |url=http://www.gov.ph/forum/thread.asp?rootID=83601&catID=9 |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref><ref name="Universia Knowledge Wharton">{{cite web |title=Can Brazil Play a Leadership Role in the Current Round of Global Trade Talks? |publisher=''Universia Knowledge Wharton'' |url=http://www.wharton.universia.net/index.cfm?fa=viewfeature&id=1087&language=english |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> Brazil will become an economic superpower by 2050 if its growth rate remains at 3.5 percent per year, [[Jim O'Neill]] said at the [[Goldman Sachs]] report called [[BRIC]].<ref name="Goldman Sachs">{{cite web |title=Interview with Jim O'Neill |publisher=''Goldman Sachs'' |url=http://www2.goldmansachs.com/ideas/brics/video/interrupt.html |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> He said an annual growth rate of 5 percent, which the [[Government of Brazil|Brazilian government]] aims to achieve in the next few years, would be fabulous; if Brazil sticks to an inflation target of 4.5 percent per year for the next five years, it will certainly help the country accomplish this goal, O'Neill added.<ref name="People's Daily Online"/> It was [[Charles de Gaulle]] who once said, "Brazil has a great future. But it always will have."<ref name="Arab News"/> The country is currently considered an "[[Agriculture in Brazil|agricultural superpower]]"<ref name="The New York Times">{{cite web |title=Scientists Are Making Brazil’s Savannah Bloom |publisher=''The New York Times'' |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/02/science/02tropic.html?ex=1348977600&en=3dd23c6cb66f054c&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> and an "[[Energy policy of Brazil|oil superpower]]"<ref name="Business Week">{{cite web |title=Brazil, the New Oil Superpower |publisher=''Business Week'' |url=http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/nov2007/db20071115_045316.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index_businessweek+exclusives |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref><ref name="The Economist">{{cite web |title=An economic superpower, and now oil too |publisher=''The Economist'' |url=http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11052873 |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> due to its vast resources and production in those areas. |
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== China == |
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Brazil's economic potential has been anticipated for decades, but it had until recently consistently failed to achieve investor expectations. Only in recent years has the country established a framework of political, economic, and social policies<ref>{{cite web |title=Programs and Projects |publisher=''Official Website of the Brazilian Government'' |url=http://www.brasil.gov.br/ingles/programs/regional/hunger/ |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> that allowed it to resume consistent growth.<ref name="Arab News"/><ref name="Universia Knowledge Wharton"/> The result has been solid and paced economic development that rival its early 1970's "miracle years", as reflected in its expanding capital markets, lowest unemployment rates in decades, and consistent international trade surpluses - that led to the accumulation of reserves and liquidation of foreign debt.<ref name="Arab News"/><ref name="The Guardian"/><ref name="Universia Knowledge Wharton"/> During the last three years of [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]]'s tenure, which dates back to the year 2000, Brazil’s gross domestic product growth rate has skyrocketed from a passable one percent to an impressive nearly six percent.<ref name="Whitman College Pioneer"/> Free trade, an idea toyed with during the late 1990s, finally became a solidified certainty for the nation’s businesses.<ref name="Whitman College Pioneer"/> Many, viewing the dismal inflation-consumed performance of the 1980s and early 1990s, with a currency adding zeros faster than the printing presses could turn, believed Brazil could never make it, especially with a former sociology professor, [[Fernando Henrique Cardoso]], becoming president followed by a leftist populist, the present president, Lula. But indeed it is happening. Cardoso practised fiscal prudence, stabilized the [[currency]], and initiated the first real reforms of Brazil’s bloated bureaucracy and feudal inefficiencies.<ref name="Arab News"/> Brazil’s diversity places it in a position of distinction in the South American continent and strongly influences the attraction of foreign investment. <ref>{{cite web |title=Economy and Business |publisher=''Official Website of the Brazilian Government'' |url=http://www.brasil.gov.br/ingles/economy/ |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> As a result, Brazil has invested heavily in sub-Saharan Africa as to both set an example to its fellow South American nations and reap the economic benefits of a diversified economy.<ref name="Whitman College Pioneer"/> |
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{{Further|Chinese Century|China's peaceful rise|}} |
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The [[China|People's Republic of China]] has arguably received the most consistent coverage in the popular press of its potential superpower status,<ref>{{cite web |url = http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/1999/china.50/asian.superpower/ |title = Visions of China – Asian Superpower |website = CNN |year = 1999 |access-date=19 July 2014 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/01/china-military-presence-superpower-collision-japan |title = China's military presence is growing. Does a superpower collision loom? |website = The Guardian |date=1 January 2014 |access-date=19 July 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Cordesman, Anthony|date=1 October 2019|title=China and the United States: Cooperation, Competition, and/or Conflict|url=https://www.csis.org/analysis/china-and-united-states-cooperation-competition-andor-conflict|access-date=22 March 2021|journal=Center for Strategic and International Studies|quote=Seen from this perspective, such trends clearly that show that China already is a true economic superpower with growing resources and a steadily improving technology base. Its military structure is evolving to the point where China can compare or compete with the U.S. — at least in Asia.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=Silver, Laura|author2=Devlin, Kat|author3=Huang, Christine|date=5 December 2019|title=China's Economic Growth Mostly Welcomed in Emerging Markets, but Neighbors Wary of Its Influence|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2019/12/05/chinas-economic-growth-mostly-welcomed-in-emerging-markets-but-neighbors-wary-of-its-influence/|access-date=22 March 2021|work=Pew Research Center|quote=China has emerged as a global economic superpower in recent decades. It is not only the world’s second largest economy and the largest exporter by value, but it has also been investing in overseas infrastructure and development at a rapid clip}}</ref><ref name="CNN_naval">{{cite news|author=Lendon, Brad|date=5 March 2021|title=China has built the world's largest navy. Now what's Beijing going to do with it?|publisher=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/05/china/china-world-biggest-navy-intl-hnk-ml-dst/index.html|access-date=22 March 2021|quote=In 2018, China held 40% of the world's shipbuilding market by gross tons, according to United Nations figures cited by the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, well ahead of second place South Korea at 25%. Put in a historical perspective, China's shipbuilding numbers are staggering – dwarfing even the U.S. efforts of World War II. China built more ships in one year of peace time (2019) than the U.S. did in four of war (1941–1945).}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Lemahieu, Herve|date=29 May 2019|title=Five big takeaways from the 2019 Asia Power Index|url=https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/power-shifts-fevered-times-2019-asia-power-index|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=Lowy Institute|quote=China, the emerging superpower, netted the highest gains in overall power in 2019, ranking first in half of the eight Index measures. For the first time, China narrowly edged out the United States in the Index’s assessment of economic resources. In absolute terms China’s economy grew by more than the total size of Australia’s economy in 2018. The world’s largest trading nation has also paradoxically seen its GDP become less dependent on exports. This makes China less vulnerable to an escalating trade war than most other Asian economies.}}</ref> and has been identified as a rising or emerging economic and military superpower by academics and other experts.<ref>{{cite web |first = Chito | last=Romana |url = https://abcnews.go.com/International/china-replace-us-top-superpower/story?id=9986355 |title = Does China Want to Be Top Superpower? |website = Abcnews.go.com |date = 2 March 2010 |access-date = 10 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://carnegieendowment.org/2006/02/09/from-rural-transformation-to-global-integration-environmental-and-social-impacts-of-china-s-rise-to-superpower/dfi |title = From Rural Transformation to Global Integration: The Environmental and Social Impacts of China's Rise to Superpower – Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |date=9 February 2006 |access-date = 10 February 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.getabstract.com/en/summary/global-business/china-the-balance-sheet/6584/?isbn= |title = China: The Balance Sheet Summary |website = getabstract.com |year = 2006 |access-date = 19 July 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first = Merri B. |last = Uckert |url = http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/awc/uckertmb.pdf |title = China As An Economic and Military Superpower: A Dangerous Combination? |date = April 1995 |access-date = 10 February 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130115145821/http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/awc/uckertmb.pdf |archive-date = 15 January 2013 |url-status = dead }}</ref> One source argued that "China certainly presents the most promising all-round profile" of a potential superpower, having high economic growth and a large population.<ref name="The United States and the Great Powers">{{cite book |last=Buzan |first=Barry |title=The United States and the Great Powers |publisher=Polity Press |year=2004 |isbn=0-7456-3375-7 |location=Cambridge, United Kingdom |page=70}}</ref> According to [[U.S. Secretary of State]], [[Antony Blinken]], China represents the "biggest geopolitical test of the 21st century" to the United States, as it is "the only country with enough [[Power (international relations)|power]] to [[New world order (politics)|jeopardize]] the current [[global order]]".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-03 |title=China poses "biggest geopolitical test" for the U.S., Blinken says |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/china-poses-biggest-geopolitical-test-u-s-says-secretary-state-n1259489 |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> |
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The [[South America]]n nation has a head start on [[India]] and [[China]]. It has been developing in its sometime madcap way for over 100 years. Between 1960 and 1980, Brazil doubled its per capita income, an achievement that was only surpassed by the later growth spurts of the [[East Asia]]n countries.<ref name="Universia Knowledge Wharton"/><ref name="Official Website of the Republic of the Phillipines"/> Unlike China and India, Brazil is primed to be a world superpower. This is because Brazil possesses something both Indian and Chinese entrepreneurs long for: a stable platform upon which to trade.<ref name="Whitman College Pioneer"/> |
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Great focus has been placed on China's growing economic activity on the global stage, in particular where it has been in competition with the United States. Examples of this have included the establishing and large-scale expansion in countries joining the [[Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank]] in contrast to traditional western institutions, along with the [[Belt and Road Initiative]] and China's role in the [[Boeing 737 MAX groundings|worldwide groundings of the Boeing 737 MAX]].<ref name="Foreign Policy-April-1-2015">{{cite magazine|author=Allen-Ebrahimian, Bethany |title=Obama Is Sitting Alone at a Bar Drinking a Consolation Beer|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/04/01/obama-china-bank-aiib-policy/|magazine=[[Foreign Policy]]|date=April 1, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Boeing’s Crisis Strengthens Beijing’s Hand-March-20-2019">{{cite magazine|author=Aboulafia, Richard |title=Boeing's Crisis Strengthens Beijing's Hand|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/03/20/boeings-crisis-strengthens-beijings-hand-737max-faa-caac-aviation-regulators-trade-war-china-xi-trump/|magazine=[[Foreign Policy]]|date=March 20, 2019}}</ref> It has also been argued that the future is likely to be of growing competition between two highly dominant countries in the form of the United States and China while others begin to lag behind economically.<ref name="Columbia University Press-February-2018">{{Cite book|author=Tunsjø, Øystein |title=The Return of Bipolarity in World Politics: China, the United States, and Geostructural Realism|url=https://cup.columbia.edu/book/the-return-of-bipolarity-in-world-politics/9780231176545|publisher=[[Columbia University Press]]|date=February 27, 2018|isbn=9780231546904}}</ref> Predictions have also been made of it overtaking the United States as the world's largest economy in the 2020s.<ref>{{cite web|author=Thair Shaikh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311061413/http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-10/world/china.military.superpower_1_superpower-military-spending-military-dominance/2?_s=PM%3AWORLD |url=http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-10/world/china.military.superpower_1_superpower-military-spending-military-dominance/2?_s=PM:WORLD |title=When Will China Become a Global Superpower? |publisher=CNN |date=10 June 2011 |archive-date=11 March 2012 |access-date=28 June 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Due to [[Artificial intelligence industry in China|the country's rapidly developing AI industry]], China has also been referred to as an "[[AI superpower]]".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lee |first=Kai-Fu |title=[[AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order]] |publisher=[[Houghton Mifflin Harcourt]] |date=September 25, 2018 |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Westerheide |first=Fabian |title=China – The First Artificial Intelligence Superpower |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/cognitiveworld/2020/01/14/china-artificial-intelligence-superpower/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Milmo |first1=Dan |last2=editor |first2=Dan Milmo Global technology |date=2021-12-08 |title=TechScape: how China became an AI superpower ready to take on the United States |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/dec/08/techscape-china-ai-united-states |access-date=2024-07-19 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> |
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=== Economy === |
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In contrast to this however there have been some who question how long this pace of economic growth could continue, with emphasis placed on China's very large but [[Aging of China |ageing and shrinking population]] of over 1.4 billion, and long-term effects of pollution within the country that have accumulated during its fast pace of industrialisation, and also that while it continues to grow it has yet to prove attractive to skilled immigration from outside the country in the same way other countries like the United States have.<ref name="articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com">{{cite news |last=Beardson |first=Timothy |date=June 28, 2013 |title=I don't see China becoming a superpower in this century|work=The Times Of India |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-06-28/news/40234296_1_challenges-facing-china-foreign-companies-china-20-years |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305034514/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-06-28/news/40234296_1_challenges-facing-china-foreign-companies-china-20-years |archive-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Timothy Beardson|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-beardson/china-pollution_b_3331929.html|title=Action Needed on the Environment|work=Huffington Post|date=24 May 2013|access-date=26 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226075322/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/china-pollution_b_3331929 |archive-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Susan Shirk|date=2008|title=China: Fragile Superpower|url=https://archive.org/details/chinafragilesupe00shir|url-access=registration|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-537319-6}}</ref><ref name="Chua, A 2007">{{cite book|author=Amy Chua|year=2007|title=Day of Empire: How Hyperpowers Rise to Global Dominance – and Why They Fall|publisher=Random House|isbn=978-0-385-51284-8|url=https://archive.org/details/dayofempirehowhy00chua_0}}</ref> A supposed lack of [[soft power]] is another aspect of contention to China's status as a potential superpower.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swain |first=Ashok |date=2021-01-21 |title=China's economy and military can overtake US, but it still won't become global superpower |url=https://theprint.in/opinion/chinas-can-overtake-us-but-it-still-wont-become-global-superpower/588718/ |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Today's China will never be a superpower |url=https://www.ft.com/content/233b101e-7d51-11e9-81d2-f785092ab560 |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=www.ft.com|date=27 May 2019 }}</ref> |
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[[Image:CENU SaoPaulo Brazil.jpg|left|thumb|[[São Paulo]], symbol of Brazil's economic power.]] |
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There has been significant discussion around the ability for China to project power militarily. There has been argument that its ties with Russia and Central Asia could see the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]] become the "[[NATO]] of the East".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/magazine/27world-t.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|last=Khanna|first=Parag|title=Waving Goodbye to Hegemony|date=27 January 2008 |access-date=July 19, 2014}}</ref> It has also been argued that American absence from the Indo-Pacific region during the [[war on terror]] has allowed Chinese to actively challenge the United States as the pre-eminent power in the region.<ref>{{cite report|author=Ashley Townshend, Brendan Thomas-Noone, Matilda Steward|url=https://www.ussc.edu.au/analysis/averting-crisis-american-strategy-military-spending-and-collective-defence-in-the-indo-pacific|work=[[United States Studies Centre]]|title=Averting Crisis: American strategy, military spending and collective defence in the Indo-Pacific|date= 19 August 2019}}</ref> Others have argued however that China still remains surrounded by potentially hostile nations and still lacks few friends or allies necessary for it to truly compete with the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Minxin Pei|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2012/03/20/the-loneliest-superpower/|title=The Loneliest Superpower|magazine=Foreign Policy|date=20 March 2012|access-date=28 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505071234/https://foreignpolicy.com/2012/03/20/the-loneliest-superpower/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021}}</ref> |
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Brazil has a moderate free market and export-oriented economy. Measured nominally, its [[Gross Domestic Product]] surpasses a trillion dollars with [[USD]] 1.313 trillion, the tenth in the world and the third in the [[Americas]];<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database (Gross domestic product, current prices) |publisher=''International Monetary Fund'' |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2008/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2007&ey=2007&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=512%2C446%2C914%2C666%2C612%2C668%2C614%2C672%2C311%2C946%2C213%2C137%2C911%2C962%2C193%2C674%2C122%2C676%2C912%2C548%2C313%2C556%2C419%2C678%2C513%2C181%2C316%2C682%2C913%2C684%2C124%2C273%2C339%2C921%2C638%2C948%2C514%2C943%2C218%2C686%2C963%2C688%2C616%2C518%2C223%2C728%2C516%2C558%2C918%2C138%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C522%2C692%2C622%2C694%2C156%2C142%2C624%2C449%2C626%2C564%2C628%2C283%2C228%2C853%2C924%2C288%2C233%2C293%2C632%2C566%2C636%2C964%2C634%2C182%2C238%2C453%2C662%2C968%2C960%2C922%2C423%2C714%2C935%2C862%2C128%2C716%2C611%2C456%2C321%2C722%2C243%2C942%2C248%2C718%2C469%2C724%2C253%2C576%2C642%2C936%2C643%2C961%2C939%2C813%2C644%2C199%2C819%2C184%2C172%2C524%2C132%2C361%2C646%2C362%2C648%2C364%2C915%2C732%2C134%2C366%2C652%2C734%2C174%2C144%2C328%2C146%2C258%2C463%2C656%2C528%2C654%2C923%2C336%2C738%2C263%2C578%2C268%2C537%2C532%2C742%2C944%2C866%2C176%2C369%2C534%2C744%2C536%2C186%2C429%2C925%2C178%2C746%2C436%2C926%2C136%2C466%2C343%2C112%2C158%2C111%2C439%2C298%2C916%2C927%2C664%2C846%2C826%2C299%2C542%2C582%2C443%2C474%2C917%2C754%2C544%2C698%2C941&s=NGDPD&grp=0&a=&pr1.x=30&pr1.y=8 |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> measured by [[purchasing power parity]], $1.835 trillion, making it the nineth largest economy in the world and the second largest in the Americas, after the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database (Gross domestic product based on purchasing-power-parity (PPP) valuation of country GDP) |publisher=''International Monetary Fund'' |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2008/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2007&ey=2007&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=512%2C446%2C914%2C666%2C612%2C668%2C614%2C672%2C311%2C946%2C213%2C137%2C911%2C962%2C193%2C674%2C122%2C676%2C912%2C548%2C313%2C556%2C419%2C678%2C513%2C181%2C316%2C682%2C913%2C684%2C124%2C273%2C339%2C921%2C638%2C948%2C514%2C943%2C218%2C686%2C963%2C688%2C616%2C518%2C223%2C728%2C516%2C558%2C918%2C138%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C522%2C692%2C622%2C694%2C156%2C142%2C624%2C449%2C626%2C564%2C628%2C283%2C228%2C853%2C924%2C288%2C233%2C293%2C632%2C566%2C636%2C964%2C634%2C182%2C238%2C453%2C662%2C968%2C960%2C922%2C423%2C714%2C935%2C862%2C128%2C716%2C611%2C456%2C321%2C722%2C243%2C942%2C248%2C718%2C469%2C724%2C253%2C576%2C642%2C936%2C643%2C961%2C939%2C813%2C644%2C199%2C819%2C184%2C172%2C524%2C132%2C361%2C646%2C362%2C648%2C364%2C915%2C732%2C134%2C366%2C652%2C734%2C174%2C144%2C328%2C146%2C258%2C463%2C656%2C528%2C654%2C923%2C336%2C738%2C263%2C578%2C268%2C537%2C532%2C742%2C944%2C866%2C176%2C369%2C534%2C744%2C536%2C186%2C429%2C925%2C178%2C746%2C436%2C926%2C136%2C466%2C343%2C112%2C158%2C111%2C439%2C298%2C916%2C927%2C664%2C846%2C826%2C299%2C542%2C582%2C443%2C474%2C917%2C754%2C544%2C698%2C941&s=PPPGDP&grp=0&a=&pr.x=48&pr.y=17 |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> Brazil's currency, the [[Brazilian real|real]], recently hit a nine-year-high against the dollar, inflation is under control and millions of Brazilians are being propelled towards a new [[middle class]].<ref name="The Guardian"/> Last week, meanwhile, Brazil was awarded "[[investment grade]]" status by the financial rating agency [[Standard & Poor's]], sending the country's stocks soaring to an all-time high.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brazilian Debt Raised to Investment Grade by S&P |publisher=''Bloomberg'' |url=http://www2.standardandpoors.com/portal/site/sp/en/la/page.hottopic/BrazilUP_sp_viewpoint/3,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0.html |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=S&P Raises Brazil to Investment Grade |publisher=''Standard & Poor's'' |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=a86v4f6_W2Jg |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> Its nominal [[GDP per capita]] has surpassed USD 6,937 in 2007<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database (Gross domestic product per capita, current prices) |publisher=''International Monetary Fund'' |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2008/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=42&pr.y=5&sy=2007&ey=2007&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=512%2C446%2C914%2C666%2C612%2C668%2C614%2C672%2C311%2C946%2C213%2C137%2C911%2C962%2C193%2C674%2C122%2C676%2C912%2C548%2C313%2C556%2C419%2C678%2C513%2C181%2C316%2C682%2C913%2C684%2C124%2C273%2C339%2C921%2C638%2C948%2C514%2C943%2C218%2C686%2C963%2C688%2C616%2C518%2C223%2C728%2C516%2C558%2C918%2C138%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C522%2C692%2C622%2C694%2C156%2C142%2C624%2C449%2C626%2C564%2C628%2C283%2C228%2C853%2C924%2C288%2C233%2C293%2C632%2C566%2C636%2C964%2C634%2C182%2C238%2C453%2C662%2C968%2C960%2C922%2C423%2C714%2C935%2C862%2C128%2C716%2C611%2C456%2C321%2C722%2C243%2C942%2C248%2C718%2C469%2C724%2C253%2C576%2C642%2C936%2C643%2C961%2C939%2C813%2C644%2C199%2C819%2C184%2C172%2C524%2C132%2C361%2C646%2C362%2C648%2C364%2C915%2C732%2C134%2C366%2C652%2C734%2C174%2C144%2C328%2C146%2C258%2C463%2C656%2C528%2C654%2C923%2C336%2C738%2C263%2C578%2C268%2C537%2C532%2C742%2C944%2C866%2C176%2C369%2C534%2C744%2C536%2C186%2C429%2C925%2C178%2C746%2C436%2C926%2C136%2C466%2C343%2C112%2C158%2C111%2C439%2C298%2C916%2C927%2C664%2C846%2C826%2C299%2C542%2C582%2C443%2C474%2C917%2C754%2C544%2C698%2C941&s=NGDPDPC&grp=0&a= |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> and according PPP, USD 9,695.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database (Gross domestic product based on purchasing-power-parity (PPP) per capita GDP) |publisher=''International Monetary Fund'' |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2008/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2007&ey=2007&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=%2C&br=1&pr1.x=35&pr1.y=7&c=512%2C446%2C914%2C666%2C612%2C668%2C614%2C672%2C311%2C946%2C213%2C137%2C911%2C962%2C193%2C674%2C122%2C676%2C912%2C548%2C313%2C556%2C419%2C678%2C513%2C181%2C316%2C682%2C913%2C684%2C124%2C273%2C339%2C921%2C638%2C948%2C514%2C943%2C218%2C686%2C963%2C688%2C616%2C518%2C223%2C728%2C516%2C558%2C918%2C138%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C522%2C692%2C622%2C694%2C156%2C142%2C624%2C449%2C626%2C564%2C628%2C283%2C228%2C853%2C924%2C288%2C233%2C293%2C632%2C566%2C636%2C964%2C634%2C182%2C238%2C453%2C662%2C968%2C960%2C922%2C423%2C714%2C935%2C862%2C128%2C716%2C611%2C456%2C321%2C722%2C243%2C942%2C248%2C718%2C469%2C724%2C253%2C576%2C642%2C936%2C643%2C961%2C939%2C813%2C644%2C199%2C819%2C184%2C172%2C524%2C132%2C361%2C646%2C362%2C648%2C364%2C915%2C732%2C134%2C366%2C652%2C734%2C174%2C144%2C328%2C146%2C258%2C463%2C656%2C528%2C654%2C923%2C336%2C738%2C263%2C578%2C268%2C537%2C532%2C742%2C944%2C866%2C176%2C369%2C534%2C744%2C536%2C186%2C429%2C925%2C178%2C746%2C436%2C926%2C136%2C466%2C343%2C112%2C158%2C111%2C439%2C298%2C916%2C927%2C664%2C846%2C826%2C299%2C542%2C582%2C443%2C474%2C917%2C754%2C544%2C698%2C941&s=PPPPC&grp=0&a= |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> |
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== European Union == |
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The country’s [[Brazilian science and technology|scientific and technological]] development is argued to be attractive to [[foreign direct investment]], which has averaged US$ 20 billion per year the last years, compared to only USD 2 billion/year last decade,<ref name="Official Website of the Brazilian Government">{{cite web |title=About Brazil|publisher=''Official Website of the Brazilian Government'' |url=http://www.brasil.gov.br/ingles/about_brazil/ |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> thus showing a remarkable growth. The agricultural sector, locally called the ''agronegócio'' sector, has also been remarkably dynamic: for two decades this sector has kept Brazil amongst the most highly productive countries in areas related to the rural sector.<ref name="Official Website of the Brazilian Government"/> The owner of a sophisticated technological sector, Brazil develops projects that range from [[submarines]] to [[aircraft]] and has an advanced [[Brazilian Space Agency|space program]]: with significant capabilities to launch vehicles, [[Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara|launch sites]] and satellite manufacturing,<ref>{{cite web |title=Brazil - The Space Program |publisher=''Country-data.com'' |url=http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-1826.html |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Brazil launches rocket into space |publisher=''BBC News'' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3948531.stm |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Brazil Completes Successful Rocket Launch |publisher=''Associated Press'' |url=http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/brazil_launch_041023.html |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Brazil launches rocket for gravity research |publisher=''Herald Tribune'' |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/19/america/LA-GEN-Brazil-Rocket.php |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> and was the only country in the [[Southern Hemisphere]] to integrate the team responsible for the construction of the [[International Space Station]] (ISS).<ref>{{cite web |title=Countries Participating in the ISS |publisher=''NASA'' |url=http://www.earthkam.ucsd.edu/public/iss/Countries.shtml |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> |
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{{See also|Eurosphere|Paneuropean Union}} |
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The [[European Union]] (EU) has been called an emerging superpower or having already achieved that status, primarily to do with its economic power and political influence on the world stage. Factors highlighted have included its large population, the size and global reach of its combined economy, and the comparative unpopularity of US foreign policy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cer.org.uk/in-the-press/europe-new-superpower|title=Europe: the new superpower|publisher=CER|date=18 February 2005|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="The European Superpower">{{cite book|author=John McCormick|title=The European Superpower|isbn=978-1-4039-9846-0|date=14 November 2006|publisher=Macmillan Education UK }}</ref> |
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=== Politics === |
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Despite lacking a cohesive military of its own, with military capabilities still the matter of individual member states, it has been argued that this is irrelevant in the 21st century and accordingly so when considering the status of the EU as a potential superpower.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/europeinnewcentu00robe|url-access=registration|quote=Europe emerging superpower.|title=Europe in the New Century: Visions of an Emerging Superpower|publisher=[[Lynne Rienner Publishers]]|year=2001|isbn=9781555878528|access-date=10 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Trevor Williams|url=http://www.globalatlanta.com/danish-envoy-economic-strength-makes-eu-a-rising-superpower/|title=Danish Envoy: Economic Strength Makes EU a 'Rising Superpower'|work=Globalatlanta|date=29 October 2008|access-date=19 July 2014}}</ref> Others however have questioned this interpretation, instead arguing that its lack of a unified military structure compared to the United States undermines the case that the EU is a potential superpower.<ref>{{cite web|author=Robert Lane Greene|url=https://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/173-sovereign/30500.html|title=EU Constitution: A 'Superpower Europe' It Won't Be|publisher=Globalpolicy.org|date=18 July 2003|access-date=10 February 2012}}</ref><ref>Colin S. Gray, "Document No. 1: The Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), 2006, and the Perils of the Twenty-First Century," ''Comparative Strategy'', 25/2, (2006): p 143.</ref> |
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[[Image:National Congress of Brazil.jpg|left|thumb|[[Brasília]], house of Brazil's political power.]] |
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The EU's lack of political integration has also come under conflicting views regarding its effect on superpower status. Some have argued that its more "low profile" diplomacy and emphasis on the rule of law represent a new kind of geopolitical influence that fulfills the political requirements for consideration of being a superpower rather than simply failing to meet them.<ref name="The European Superpower" /><ref>{{cite web|author=Adrian Hyde-Price|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326212441/http://www.arena.uio.no/cidel/WorkshopOsloSecurity/Hyde-Price.pdf|archive-date=26 March 2009|date=23 October 2004|url=http://www.arena.uio.no/cidel/WorkshopOsloSecurity/Hyde-Price.pdf|title=The EU, Power and Coercion: From 'Civilian' to 'Civilising' Power|publisher=ARENA Centre for European Studies}}</ref> Others however argue that its lack of a centralised foreign or defence policy leaves its effectiveness uncertain when compared to that of a more politically integrated union of states such as the United States,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.nybooks.com/articles/2005/02/10/europe-vs-america/|title=Europe vs. America by Tony Judt|magazine=The New York Review of Books|date=10 February 2005|access-date=10 February 2012}}</ref><ref name="The United States and the Great Powers" /> and it has even been argued that the EU remains as little more than an extension of a Europe reliant or dominated by the United States.<ref>Zbigniew Brzezinski, ''Strategic Vision: America and the Crisis of Global Power'', (New York: Basic Books, 2012), p 22, 126.</ref> |
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Brazil is the [[List of countries and outlying territories by total area|fifth-largest]] country by geographical area, the [[List of countries by population|fifth most populous]] country, and the fourth most populous [[democracy]] in the world. It is the most important [[political]] and [[economic]] power in [[Latin America]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Brazil and the Difficult Path to Multilateralism |publisher=''The Americas Program'' |url=http://www.fntg.org/fntg/docs/BrazilMultilateralism.pdf |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Brazil as an intermediate state and regional power: action, choice and responsibilities |publisher=''Blackwell Synergy'' |url=http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1468-2346.2006.00513.x |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Brazil as a Regional Power and Its Relations with the United States |publisher=''Sage Journals Online'' |url=http://lap.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/33/3/12 |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> Brazilian foreign policy has recently aimed to strengthen ties with other [[South America]]n countries, engage in multilateral diplomacy through the [[United Nations]] and the [[Organization of American States]]. Brazil's foreign policy is a byproduct of the country's unique position as a [[great power]] in [[Latin America]], a leader among [[developing countries]] and an emerging [[superpower]].<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Congressional Report on Brazil |publisher=''Wilson Center'' |url=http://www.wilsoncenter.org/news/docs/RL33456.pdf |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=No Reason to Fear Brazil's Growth, Says Rice |publisher=''Brazzil Mag'' |url=http://www.brazzilmag.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=2198 |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> |
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The European Union has been called a "regulatory superpower" due to the [[Brussels effect]], which suggests that [[Regulation (European Union)|regulations]] and [[EU standard|standards applicable in the EU]] will also be adopted by numerous countries outside the EU over time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=dmalloy |date=2023-06-15 |title=The world's regulatory superpower is taking on a regulatory nightmare: artificial intelligence |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/the-worlds-regulatory-superpower-is-taking-on-a-regulatory-nightmare-artificial-intelligence/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=Atlantic Council |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=kdaponte |date=2023-05-24 |title=Meta fine shows EU is 'regulatory superpower,' Northeastern expert says |url=https://cssh.northeastern.edu/meta-fine-shows-eu-is-regulatory-superpower-northeastern-expert-says/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=College of Social Sciences and Humanities |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bradford |first=Anu |date=2020-03-01 |title=The Brussels Effect: How the European Union Rules the World |url=https://scholarship.law.columbia.edu/books/232 |journal=Faculty Books|doi=10.1093/oso/9780190088583.001.0001 |isbn=978-0-19-008858-3 }}</ref> |
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Brazil has a large global network of [[Brazilian diplomatic missions|diplomatic missions]], and maintains [[diplomatic relations]] with every country in the world, with the exception of seven countries. The country is a charter member of the [[United Nations]] and participates in many of its specialized agencies. It has contributed troops to UN peacekeeping efforts in the [[Middle East]], the former [[Belgian Congo]], [[Cyprus]], [[Mozambique]], [[Angola]], and more recently [[East Timor]] and [[Haiti]] ([[United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti|MINUSTAH]]).<ref>{{cite web |title=United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti |publisher=''United Nations'' |url=http://www.un.org/depts/dpko/missions/minustah/facts.html |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> Brazil has been a member of the [[UN Security Council]] nine times, most recently 2004-2005. The nation is currently seeking a permanent seat on the [[United Nations Security Council]]. It is a member of the [[G4 nations|G4]], an organization of Brazil, [[Germany]], [[Japan]], and India, all nations who are currently seeking permanent representation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Security Council Reform: Where It Stands |publisher=''Deutsche Welle'' |url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1618479,00.html |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> |
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== India == |
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{{Further|Indian Century}} |
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The [[India|Republic of India]] has seen considerable coverage of its potential of becoming a superpower economically. Multiple opinions have pointed towards India's rapid economic development as a reason for it to be considered a potential superpower, in particular during the 2010s when it was predicted to outpace China's growth into the future.<ref>{{cite news |date=2011-01-09|title=India 2025: What kind of superpower? |first=Michael |last=Dingman |work=[[The Economic Times]] |publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/et-commentary/india-2025-what-kind-of-superpower/articleshow/7238752.cms|access-date=2012-02-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/money/2006/mar/29minter.htm |title=India will be the biggest superpower |work=Rediff |year=2006 |access-date=19 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="IBM India Century">{{cite journal |last=Subramanian |first=Samanth |title=The Outlier:The inscrutable politics of Subramanian Swamy |url=http://www.caravanmagazine.in/reportage/outlier |journal=The Caravan: A Journal of Politics & Culture |date=1 May 2012 |access-date=29 March 2018}}</ref><ref name="rising">{{cite magazine |last=Zakaria |first=Fareed |date=March 5, 2006 |title=India Rising |url=http://www.newsweek.com/india-rising-106259 |magazine=Newsweek |access-date=August 2, 2014}}</ref> Economists and researchers at [[Harvard University]] have projected India's 7% projected annual growth rate through 2024 would continue to put it ahead of China, making India the fastest growing economy in the world.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Growth Projections Predict the Rise of India, East Africa and Fall of Oil Economies |url=http://www.hks.harvard.edu/news-events/news/articles/new-growth-projections |website=Harvard Kennedy School |access-date=12 April 2016 |date=7 May 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508145617/https://www.hks.harvard.edu/news-events/news/articles/new-growth-projections |archivedate=2016-05-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=India Will Be Fastest-Growing Economy for Coming Decade, Harvard Researchers Predict |work=The Wall Street Journal |first=Raymond |last=Zhong |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2016/01/01/india-will-be-fastest-growing-economy-for-coming-decade-harvard-researchers-predict/ |access-date=12 April 2016 |date=1 January 2016}}</ref> Over and above, India also has the advantage of having a very large and growing young population with a median age of 28, compared to China's median age of 39.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Silver |first1=Laura |last2=Huang |first2=Christine |last3=Clancy |first3=Laura |title=Key facts as India surpasses China as the world's most populous country |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/02/09/key-facts-as-india-surpasses-china-as-the-worlds-most-populous-country/ |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=Pew Research Center |date=9 February 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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[[Image:EB Haiti.jpg|left|thumb|[[Brazilian Army]] troops before boarding for [[MINUSTAH]] [[peacekeeping]] mission in [[Haiti]].]] |
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While India's economic growth has continued, others have noted that inequality remains high in the country and that its potential for trading appears more limited compared to regional rivals such as China, and that despite India briefly becoming the world's fastest-growing economy in 2015 its growth declined below China's since 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last=Khanna |first=Parag |authorlink=Parag Khanna |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/magazine/27world-t.html |title=Waving Goodbye to Hegemony |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=2008-01-27 |access-date=2012-02-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Khanna |first=Parag |authorlink=Parag Khanna |url=http://www.newamerica.net/node/8987 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629133515/http://www.newamerica.net/node/8987 |archive-date=2011-06-29 |title=The Rise of Non-Americanism |publisher=New America Foundation |date=2008-05-18 |access-date=2012-02-10}}</ref><ref name="doi10.1257/jel.47.3.771">{{Cite journal |last=Pritchett |first=Lant |authorlink=Lant Pritchett |title=A Review of Edward Luce's 'In Spite of the Gods: The Strange Rise of Modern India' |doi=10.1257/jel.47.3.771 |journal=Journal of Economic Literature |volume=47 |issue=3 |pages=771–081 |year=2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=India to beat China again as fastest-growing economy in 2016: IMF |work=[[The Economic Times]] |publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-07-09/news/64243978_1_growth-projection-world-economic-outlook-update-fastest-growing-economy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717151633/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-07-09/news/64243978_1_growth-projection-world-economic-outlook-update-fastest-growing-economy |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 17, 2015 |access-date=20 November 2015 |date=9 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-05-31|title=India loses place as world's fastest-growing economy |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48478028 |access-date=2020-10-18}}</ref> |
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Brazil have one of the largest defense budgets<sup>([[List of countries by military expenditures|12th]])</sup> and armed forces<sup>([[List of countries by size of armed forces|18th]])</sup> in the the world.<ref name="Global Fire Power">{{cite web |title=Brazil Military Strength |publisher=''Global Fire Power'' |url=http://www.globalfirepower.com/country_detail.asp?country_id=29 |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Military expenditures |publisher=''The CIA World Factbook'' |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/br.html#Military |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> The Armed forces of Brazil comprise the [[Brazilian Army]], the [[Brazilian Navy]], and the [[Brazilian Air Force]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Brazilian Federal Constitution | publisher = Brazilian Government (official text) | url = http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/Constituicao/Constituiçao.htm | accessdate = 2007-05-17 }}</ref> It is the largest army, navy and air force in [[Latin America]], with 91,314,740 available military manpower, 66 missile defense weapons and 1,676 armored vehicles; a 27,307-ton [[aircraft carrier]], the [[NAe São Paulo|NAe ''São Paulo'']] and other 89 naval units; and 1,272 aircrafts.<ref name="Global Fire Power"/> |
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It has also been argued that India's government and bureaucracy is also geared against emerging as a superpower, with it being argued that it "does very little collective thinking about its long-term foreign policy goals, since most of the strategic planning that takes place within the government happens on an individual level".<ref name="FA Miller 14">{{cite journal |last=Miller |first=Manjari Chatterjee |date=May–June 2013 |title=India's Feeble Foreign Policy |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/india/2013-04-03/indias-feeble-foreign-policy |journal=Foreign Affairs |volume=92 |issue=3 |pages=14–18 |access-date=27 June 2013 |authorlink=Manjari Miller}}</ref> |
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Based on Brazil's history, it is believed that the country does not possess any [[Brazil and weapons of mass destruction|weapons of mass destruction]]. Although a covert nuclear weapons program was pursued by Brazil under a military government in the [[1980s]], it was ended after the rise of an elected government in [[1985]]. Brazil has a program to produce [[enriched uranium]] for power plants using [[Zippe-type centrifuge]]s, officially opening the [[Resende, Rio de Janeiro|Resende]] enrichment plant in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brazil joins world's nuclear club |publisher=''BBC News'' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4981202.stm |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> If Brazil decided to pursue a nuclear weapon, the centrifuges at the Resende plants could easily be reconfigured to produce enough [[highly enriched uranium]] to make a bomb quite quickly - possibly around six bombs per year. <ref>{{cite web |title=How Brazil Spun the Atom |publisher=''Spectrum'' |url=http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/print/3070 |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> Brazil wishes to develop a [[nuclear submarine]] fleet, and in [[2007]] authorised the construction of a prototype [[Nuclear marine propulsion|submarine propulsion reactor]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Brazil’s Pursuit of a Nuclear Submarine Raises Proliferation Concerns |publisher=''WMD Insights'' |url=http://www.wmdinsights.com/I23/I23_LA1_BrazilPursuit.htm |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=US 'sure' of Brazil nuclear plans |publisher=''BBC News'' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3715556.stm |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> On 2006 [[Brazilian Space Agency|AEB]] astronaut [[Marcos Pontes]] became the first Brazilian and the first native Portuguese-speaking person to go into space, where he stayed on the International Space Station for a week.<ref>{{cite web |title=First Brazilian goes into space |publisher=''BBC News'' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4859622.stm |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> |
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=== Energy === |
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[[Image:Itaipu Dam.jpg|left|thumb|[[Itaipu Dam]], the world's largest [[hydroelectric plant]] by energy generation.]] |
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Brazil is considered to have the greatest [[biodiversity]] of any country on the planet, containing more than one-third of all flora and fauna in the world.<ref name="Brazilian Embassy of Ottawa">{{cite web |title=Natural Resources |publisher=''Brazilian Embassy of Ottawa'' |url=http://www.brasembottawa.org/en/brazil_in_brief/natural_resources.html |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=World’s largest tropical rain forest and river basin |publisher=''WWF'' |url=http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/amazon/index.html |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> The country is known to possess extremely rich mineral deposits, although the country's resources are still not yet completely surveyed. Brazil has the world’s largest reserves of [[niobium]] (86.9 %) and [[tantalite]] (62.5 %); the second largest reserve of [[graphite]]; the sixth largest reserves of [[iron ore]], [[manganese]], [[bauxite]] and [[uranium]], with only 25 percent of the territory surveyed. Brazil produces 90 percent of the world's supply of gems, such as [[diamonds]], [[aquamarines]], [[topaz|topazes]], [[amethysts]], [[tourmalines]], and [[emeralds]].<ref name="Brazilian Embassy of Ottawa"/> |
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Brazil is one of the largest energy consumers in the world<sup>([[List of countries by electricity consumption|10th]])</sup> and the largest in South America. It is also a pioneer in many fields, including [[ethanol]] production and deepwater and ultra-deep water oil production. The nation is the world's second largest producer of [[ethanol]] and the world's largest exporter, and it is considered to have the world's first [[sustainable]] [[biofuel]]s economy and the biofuel industry leader.<ref name="Wilson">{{cite web|url=http://www.wilsoncenter.org/topics/pubs/Brazil_SR_e3.pdf|title=Brazil Institute Special Report: The Global Dynamics of Biofuels|author=Daniel Budny and Paulo Sotero, editor|publisher=''Brazil Institute of the Woodrow Wilson Center'' |date= 2007-04|accessdate=2008-05-03 }}</ref><ref name="Apollo">{{Citation | last = Inslee, Jay; Bracken Hendricks | title = Apollo's Fire | year = 2007 | pages=153-155, 160-161 | publisher = ''Island Press'' | id = ISBN 978-1-59726-175-3 . ''See Chapter 6. Homegrown Energy.''}}</ref><ref name="NYT100406">{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/10/world/americas/10brazil.html?pagewanted=1&sq=Bush%20Brazil%20ethanol&st=nyt&scp=5 |title=With Big Boost From Sugar Cane, Brazil Is Satisfying Its Fuel Needs |author=Larry Rother|publisher=''The New York Times''|date=2006-04-10|accessdate=2008-04-28 }}</ref> In 2006, Brazil had {{convert|11.2|Goilbbl|m3}} of proven oil reserves, second-largest in South America after Venezuela. The vast majority of proven reserves are located at [[Campos Basin|Campos]] and Santos offshore basins on the southeast coast of Brazil.<ref>{{cite web |title=Country Analysis Brief. Brazil |publisher=''US Energy Information Agency'' |url=http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/Brazil/pdf.pdf |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> In November 2007, Petrobras announced that it believes the offshore [[Tupi oil field]] has between 5 and {{convert|8|Goilbbl|m3}} of recoverable light oil, which could result in Brazil becoming one of the largest producers of oil in the world.<ref> {{cite web | author = Gary Duffy | title= Brazil announces new oil reserves |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7086264.stm | publisher = ''BBC News'' | date=[[2007-11-09]] | accessdate=2007-12-12 }}</ref> |
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== Russia == |
== Russia == |
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{{Further|Russia as an energy superpower|History of the Russian Federation}} |
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{{Expand-section|date=May 2008}} |
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{| width="auto" style="toc: 25em; font-size: 85%; lucida grande, sans-serif; text-align: left;" class="infobox" |
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|- |
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!align="center" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" colspan="3"|'''[[Russian Federation]]''' |
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|- |
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|colspan="2" align="center"|[[Image:Flag of Russia.svg|center|border|200px]] |
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|- |
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|colspan="2" align="center"|[[Image:Location Russia.svg|center|200px]] |
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|- |
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! style="background:#f0f0f0;" align="left" valign="top"| Economic superpower |
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| style="background:#f0f0f0;" valign="top"| {{Tick}} |
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|- |
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!align="left" valign="top"|Political superpower |
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|valign="top"| {{Tick}} |
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|- |
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! style="background:#f0f0f0;" align="left" valign="top"| Military superpower |
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| style="background:#f0f0f0;" valign="top"| {{Tick}} |
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|- |
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!align="left" valign="top"| Energy superpower |
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|valign="top"| {{Tick}} |
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|- |
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| align="center" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" colspan="2"| |
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|} |
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The '''[[Russian Federation]]''' is a suggested potential candidate for achieving superpower status in the twenty-first century due to its fast-growing economy, [[energy superpower]] status and the size of its military. According to Steven Rosefielde of the [[University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill]], Russia intends to "reemerge as a full-fledged superpower," and "contrary to conventional wisdom, this goal is easily within the Kremlin’s grasp, but the cost to the Russian people and global security would be immense" (Rosefielde 2005:1). Rosefielde further argues that "Russia has an intact military-industrial complex...and the mineral wealth to reactivate its dormant structurally militarized potential," and that "supply-side constraints don’t preclude a return to prodigal superpowerdom" (Rosefielde 2005:9). |
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[[Russia]], since [[Russian Empire|its imperial times]], has been considered both a [[great power]] and a [[regional power]]. Throughout most of the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-era, the Soviet Union was one of the world's two [[superpower]]s. However, after the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]], the Russian Federation as its successor state lost its superpower status. In the early 21st century, Russia has been suggested as a potential candidate for resuming superpower status,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Minkina |first=Mirosław |date=2019-09-30 |title=Russia's return to the superpower status |url=https://securityanddefence.pl/Russia-s-return-to-the-superpower-status,110335,0,2.html |journal=Security and Defence Quarterly |volume=26 |issue=4 |pages=34–50 |doi=10.35467/sdq/110335 |issn=2300-8741|hdl=11331/2402 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Graham-Harrison |first1=Emma |last2=Luhn |first2=Alec |last3=Walker |first3=Shaun |last4=Rice-Oxley |first4=Mark |last5=Sedghi |first5=Amy |date=2015-07-07 |title=China and Russia: the world's new superpower axis? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/07/china-russia-superpower-axis |access-date=2024-07-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Q&A: The return of the Russian superpower? |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/05/07/russia.analysis.chance/index.html |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=edition.cnn.com}}</ref> while others have made the assertion that it is already a superpower.<ref>{{cite news|title=A Superpower Is Reborn|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/opinion/24steel.html?_r=0|newspaper=The New York Times| date=24 August 2008 |access-date=19 November 2015 | last1=Steel | first1=Ronald }}</ref> In his 2005 publication entitled ''Russia in the 21st Century: The Prodigal Superpower'', [[Steven Rosefielde]], a professor of economics at [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]], predicted that Russia would emerge as a superpower before 2010 and augur another arms race. However, Rosefielde noted that such an end would come with tremendous sacrifice to global security and the Russian people's freedom.<ref>{{cite book|author=Steven Rosefielde|author-link=Steven Rosefielde|url=http://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/economics/international-economics/russia-21st-century-prodigal-superpower|title=Russia in the 21st Century|publisher=[[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|UNC]] Press|date=February 2005|isbn=978-0-521-54529-7}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=December 2023}} [[Stephen Kinzer]] of ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' compared Russia's actions with its own neighbouring territories, to those of "any other superpower", taking [[2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|Ukraine]] and [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Crimea]] as examples.<ref>{{cite news|author=Stephen Kinzer|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2014/05/11/russia-acts-like-any-other-superpower/AJRSNiIUYQPAHRlLXcfIlJ/story.html|title=Russia acts like any other superpower|newspaper=Boston Globe|date=11 May 2014|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> |
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In [[May]] [[2007]], the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation held special hearings devoted to Russia. They came to the conclusion that Russia is returning to the international arena as an influential political and economic power. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State [[Daniel Fried]], said: "Russia has restored its position of a large political and economic force recently", also adding that "Russia’s strengthening has been accompanied by a cool down in its relations with the U.S." [[Russian Prime Minister]] [[Vladimir Putin]] said that the West "has few instruments of influence on Russia left." <ref>[http://www.kommersant.com/page.asp?id=768929 Washington Acknowledges Russia as Superpower] [[Kommersant]] Retrieved on March 26, 2008</ref> |
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Others however have put forward more pessimistic views towards Russia's ability to regain its superpower status. A mixed opinion has been offered by Matthew Fleischer of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]],'' contending that severe climate change would be necessary for much of Russia's inherent natural resources to become viable.<ref>{{cite news|author=Matthew Fleischer|url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-climate-change-russia-super-power-20140311-story.html|title=How curbing climate change can prevent Russia from becoming a superpower|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=12 March 2014|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> |
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Alexander Golts of the [[St. Petersburg Times]] argues that Putin's confrontations with the US on nuclear issues are in pursuit of regaining superpower status for Russia.<ref>[http://www.times.spb.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=23554 St. Petersburg Times: "Dreaming of New Conflicts"]</ref> |
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Several analysts commented on the fact that Russia showed signs of an aging and shrinking population. [[Fred Weir]] said that this severely constricts and limits Russia's potential to re-emerge as a central world power.<ref>{{cite news|author=Fred Weir|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/russia/111102/russia-population-superpower-health-soviet-union|title=Despite huge cash bonuses to mothers, Russia's population is shrinking|work=GlobalPost|date=3 November 2011|access-date=8 July 2014}}</ref> In 2011, British historian and professor [[Niall Ferguson]] also highlighted the negative effects of Russia's declining population, and suggested that Russia is on its way to "global irrelevance".<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Niall Ferguson|url=http://www.newsweek.com/decline-putins-russia-its-way-global-irrelevance-65847|title=In Decline, Putin's Russia Is On Its Way to Global Irrelevance|magazine=[[Newsweek]]|date=12 December 2011|access-date=2 August 2014}}</ref> Russia has, however, shown a slight population growth since the late 2000s, partly due to immigration, quickly rising birth rates, slowly declining death rates.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Mark Adomanis|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/markadomanis/2013/05/11/russias-population-isnt-shrinking-its-growing-very-very-slowly/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609004205/http://www.forbes.com/sites/markadomanis/2013/05/11/russias-population-isnt-shrinking-its-growing-very-very-slowly/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 9, 2013|title=Russia's Population Isn't Shrinking (It's Growing Very, Very Slowly)|magazine=Forbes|date=11 May 2013|access-date=8 July 2014}}</ref> |
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[[Image:Soyuz tm-31 transported to launch pad.jpg|thumb|left|Soyuz TMA-2 launch.jpg|[[Soyuz TMA-2]] moves to launch pad, about to carry the first resident crew to the [[International Space Station]]]] |
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Russia's ability to project hard power was also questioned following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] in 2022, with the Russian military's poor performance prompting economist [[Paul Krugman]] to suggest Russia was little more than a "[[Potemkin village|Potemkin]] Superpower".<ref>{{cite journal|author=[[Paul Krugman]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/28/opinion/putin-military-sanctions-weakness.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301041314/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/28/opinion/putin-military-sanctions-weakness.html|url-status=live|archive-date=1 March 2022|title=Russia Is a Potemkin Superpower|journal=[[New York Times]]|date=28 February 2022|access-date=1 March 2022}}</ref> |
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In a more recent report by [[ABC News]], a senior U.S. official asserted that "Russia is once again indisputably the number two military power in the world, second only to the United States".<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=3728855 Rice: Russia's Military Moves 'a Problem'] [[ABC News]] Oct. 14, 2007</ref> Russia's military strength has risen substantially under former President Putin, having recently produced the world's most powerful [[conventional weapon|conventional]] [[FOAB|bomb]]<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6990815.stm Russia tests giant fuel-air bomb] [[BBC News]] Retrieved on March 18, 2008</ref> and the worlds most advanced [[S-400 Triumf|anti-ballistic missile system]] <ref>[http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070521/65806197.html S-400 missile defense systems to start defending Moscow July 1] [[RIA Novosti]] Retrieved on March 21, 2008</ref> to date. Additionally, its forces are currently in the midst of a $189 billion ($302 billion [[Purchasing power parity|PPP]]) modernization plan. Russia's defence minister, [[Sergei Ivanov]], said that he wanted to exceed the Soviet army in combat readiness.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/feb/09/russia.usa Big rise in Russian military spending raises fears of new challenge to west] [[The Guardian]] February 9 2007</ref> |
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== Comparative statistics of current candidates == |
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Mike Ritchie of industry analysts Energy Intelligence says "Russia was always a superpower that used its energy to win friends and influence among its former Soviet satellites. Nothing has really changed much. They are back in the same game, winning friends and influencing people and using their power to do so."<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/12/12/russia.oil/index.html Russia: A superpower rises again][December 13, 2006]</ref> |
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<div style="overflow:auto"> |
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{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center" |
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Russia is often considered to be an [[energy superpower]] and a nuclear superpower due to its vast amounts of [[Economy_of_Russia#Natural_resources|natural resources]] and [[Russia and weapons of mass destruction|large nuclear arsenal]] mostly leftover from the former Soviet Union.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/10/11/opinion/edgoldman.php |title=Behold the new energy superpower |author=Goldman, Marshall I. |date=October 11, 2006 |publisher=International Herald Tribune |accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/06/18/chance.intro/ |title=Eye on Russia: Russia's resurgence |author=Chance, Matthew |date=Junde 27, 2007 |publisher=Cable News Network |accessdate=2007-10-08}}</ref><ref name="CNN - Russia: A superpower rises again">{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/12/12/russia.oil/index.html|title=Russia: A superpower rises again|accessdate=2006-06-10}}</ref> |
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!rowspan=2|Country/Union |
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!rowspan=2|Population<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070613004507/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html Population by country on July 2017 Est.] ''[[The World Factbook]] — [[Central Intelligence Agency]]'', Retrieved 10 May 2018</ref><ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&language=en&pcode=tps00001&tableSelection=1&footnotes=yes&labeling=labels&plugin=1 Population in EU (28) on 1 January 2017] ''[[Eurostat]]''</ref> |
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== India == |
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!rowspan=2|Area<br />(km<sup>2</sup>) |
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{| width="auto" style="toc: 25em; font-size: 85%; lucida grande, sans-serif; text-align: left;" class="infobox" |
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!colspan=2|[[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|GDP (nominal)]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2021|url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2021/April/weo-report?a=1&c=998,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,PPPPC,&sy=2019&ey=2026&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1|access-date=23 July 2021|website=IMF|language=en}}</ref> |
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!colspan=2|[[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|GDP (PPP)]]<ref name=":0"/> |
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!rowspan=2|Military<br>expenditures<br/>(Int$ billion)<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 2023|title=Trends in world military expenditure-2022|url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/2304_fs_milex_2022.pdf|website=SIPRI}}</ref> |
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!rowspan=2|[[List of countries by Human Development Index|HDI]]<ref name="Technical notes 2020">{{cite web|title=Human Development Report 2019 – Technical notes|url=http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/hdr2020_technical_notes.pdf|website=hdr.undp.org|publisher=United Nations Development Programme|access-date=15 December 2020|pages=2–4}}</ref> |
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!rowspan=2|[[United Nations Security Council veto power|UN Security Council veto power]] |
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|- |
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!(USD million) |
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!align="center" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" colspan="3"|'''[[Republic of India]]''' |
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![[List of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita|Per capita]] ($) |
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!(Int$ million) |
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![[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|Per capita]] (Int$) |
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|- |
|- |
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| style="text-align: left" | {{flag|United States}} |
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|colspan="2" align="center"|[[Image:Flag of India.svg|center|200px]] |
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| 346,238,081 |
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|- |
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| 9,525,067 |
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|colspan="2" align="center"|[[Image:Location India.svg|center|200px]] |
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| 25,035,164 |
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|- |
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| 68,309 |
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! style="background:#f0f0f0;" align="left" valign="top"| Economic superpower |
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| 22,675,271 |
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| style="background:#f0f0f0;" valign="top"| {{Tick}} |
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| 75,180 |
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|- |
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| 877 |
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!align="left" valign="top"|Political superpower |
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| 0.926 (very high) |
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|valign="top"| —— |
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| Yes |
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|- |
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|---- |
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! style="background:#f0f0f0;" align="left" valign="top"| Military superpower |
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| style=" |
| style="text-align: left" | {{flag|China}} |
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| 1,411,778,724 |
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|- |
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| 9,596,961 |
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!align="left" valign="top"| Energy superpower |
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| 18,321,197 |
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|valign="top"| —— |
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| 11,819 |
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|- |
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| 26,656,766 |
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| align="center" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" colspan="2"| |
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| 21,291 |
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|} |
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| 292 |
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''[[Newsweek]]'', and the ''[[International Herald Tribune]]'' join several academics in discussing [[India]]'s potential of becoming a superpower.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11571348/site/newsweek/ India Rising], Newsweek, Accessed March 11, 2007</ref><ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/07/20/news/india.php India welcomed as new sort of superpower], IHT, Accessed March 11, 2007</ref><ref>[http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=8565 India: Emerging as Eastern or Western Power?], YaleGlobal, Accessed March 11, 2007</ref> With 9.4% [[GDP]] growth in 2007<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/At_94_GDP_growth_second_fastest-ever/rssarticleshow/2090174.cms At 9.4%, GDP growth second fastest-ever]</ref>, [[Goldman Sachs]] predicts that as 700 million Indians are expected to move to cities by 2050, the [[India]]n economy may surpass the [[United States]]'s (in US$) by [[2043]].<ref name="rupee">[http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/24/business/rupee.php http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/24/business/rupee.php]</ref> |
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| 0.761 (high) |
|||
| Yes |
|||
|---- |
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| style="text-align: left" | {{nowrap|{{flag|European Union}}}} |
|||
| 449,206,209 |
|||
| 4,233,262 |
|||
| 17,127,535 |
|||
| 38,256 |
|||
| 20,918,062 |
|||
| 53,960 |
|||
| 186<ref>{{Cite web|title=European defence spending hit new high in 2019|url=https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2021/01/28/european-defence-spending-hit-new-high-in-2019|access-date=2021-05-16|website=eda.europa.eu|language=en}}</ref> |
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| 0.911 (very high) |
|||
| ([[France]]) |
|||
|---- |
|||
| style="text-align: left" | {{flag|India}} |
|||
| 1,456,604,163 |
|||
| 3,287,263 |
|||
| 3,468,566 |
|||
| 3,057 |
|||
| 10,207,290 |
|||
| 10,475 |
|||
| 81.4 |
|||
| 0.645 (medium) |
|||
| No |
|||
|---- |
|||
| style="text-align: left" | {{flag|Russia}} |
|||
| 144,458,123 |
|||
| 17,125,191 |
|||
| 2,133,092 |
|||
| 11,654 |
|||
| 4,328,122 |
|||
| 31,967 |
|||
| 86.4 |
|||
| 0.824 (very high) |
|||
| Yes |
|||
|}</div> |
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== Former candidates == |
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<blockquote>"India has moved onto a much faster growth trajectory than the bank had previously expected, fueled by strong and steady productivity gains in its legions of new factories, which are producing everything from brassieres to cars." <ref name ="rupee"/> |
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</blockquote> |
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=== Japan === |
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India's strength lies in its [[Demographics of India|demographics]]; More than 50% of India's population is under 25.<ref name="rupee"/> Dr Narendra Jadhav, a principal advisor to the [[Reserve Bank of India|RBI]] and a former advisor to the executive director at the [[IMF]], says "India has a great potential to become an economic super power because of its growing young population."<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India_Business/Advantage_India_Growing_young_population/RssArticleShow/articleshow/1716181.cms Advantage India: Growing young population]</ref> A young population coupled with the [[List of countries by English-speaking population|second largest]] [[English language|English]]-speaking population in the world could give India an advantage over China.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwwgXCOEYks&feature=related], The Rise of India, ABC News</ref> Other factors contributing to India's emergence as a superpower include [[democracy]] and its status as a [[nuclear power]]. |
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In the 1980s, some political and economic analysts predicted that [[Japan]] would eventually accede to superpower status, due to its large population, growing [[Economy of Japan|economic]], [[Japan Self-Defense Forces|military]], [[Industry of Japan|industrial]], [[Science and technology in Japan|technological]] and [[Culture of Japan|cultural]] influence, large [[gross domestic product]], and [[Japanese economic miracle|high economic growth at that time]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Smith |first=Dennis B. |title=The Emergence of the Economic Superpower: 1980 to the Present |date=1995 |work=Japan since 1945: The Rise of an Economic Superpower |pages=138–169 |editor-last=Smith |editor-first=Dennis B. |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-24126-2_6 |access-date=2024-07-10 |place=London |publisher=Macmillan Education UK |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-1-349-24126-2_6 |isbn=978-1-349-24126-2}}</ref><ref name="Japan From Superrich To Superpower" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kreisberg |first=Paul |date=1988-12-11 |title=Japan: A Superpower Minus Military Power |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-12-11-op-67-story.html |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Japan's economy was expected to eventually surpass [[economy of the United States|that of the United States]].<ref name="Zakaria, F 2008">{{cite book |last=Zakaria |first=Fareed |author-link=Fareed Zakaria |url=https://archive.org/details/postamericanworl00zaka_199 |title=The Post-American World |date=2008 |publisher=W. W. Norton and Company |isbn=978-0-393-06235-9 |page=[https://archive.org/details/postamericanworl00zaka_199/page/n225 210] |url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="Land of the setting sun">{{Cite news |date=November 12, 2009 |title=Land of the setting sun |url=https://www.economist.com/business/2009/11/12/land-of-the-setting-sun |newspaper=The Economist}}</ref><ref name="Japan From Superrich To Superpower">{{cite magazine |date=July 4, 1988 |title=Japan From Superrich To Superpower |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,967823,00.html |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref> However, this prediction failed to materialise following [[Japanese asset price bubble|a stock market crash]] and the resulting "[[Lost Decades]]", where Japan has suffered a flat to negative economic outlook,<ref name="Leika Kihara">{{cite news |author=Leika Kihara |date=17 August 2012 |title=Japan eyes end to decades long deflation |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/japan-economy-estimate-idUSL4E8JH1TC20120817#ySOkSfW3bZs8lVWK.97 |access-date=7 September 2012 |work=Reuters}}</ref> while [[Aging of Japan|its population has been aging since the late 1980s]] before suffering real decline in total population starting in 2011.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-01-20 |title=Japan was the future but it's stuck in the past |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63830490 |access-date=2024-07-10 |language=en-GB}}</ref> |
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== See also == |
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Founder and President of the Economic Strategy Institute and former counselor to the Secretary of Commerce in the Reagan Administration [[Clyde V. Prestowitz Jr.]] has embraced the notion being put forth that <blockquote>"It is going to be India's century. India is going to be the biggest economy in the world. It is going to be the biggest superpower of the 21st century".<ref>[http://www.rediff.com/money/2006/mar/29minter.htm], Rediff India, Published March 29, 2006</ref></blockquote> |
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{{colbegin}} |
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China and India rising to superpower status is not inevitable, according to scholars such as Professor Pranab Bardhan, Chief Editor of the ''Journal of Development Economics'', who suggest that millions mired in poverty and ineffective government prevent China or India from rivaling the U.S. or the E.U. any time soon.<ref>[http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=6407 China, India Superpower? Not so Fast!], YaleGlobal, Accessed March 11, 2007</ref> |
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* [[American Century]] |
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* [[ASEAN]] |
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* [[Asian Century]] |
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* [[BRIC]] |
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* [[BRICS]] |
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* [[Emerging power]] |
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* [[Energy superpower]] |
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* [[Eurasian Economic Union]] |
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* [[Great power]] |
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* [[List of countries in Europe by military expenditures]] |
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* [[Mercosur]] |
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* [[Post–Cold War era]] |
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* [[Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership]] |
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* [[Second Cold War]] |
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* [[South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation]] |
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* [[Superpower collapse]] |
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{{colend}} |
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== References == |
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{{reflist|30em}} |
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[[Image:Himalayas.jpg|thumb|250px|View of the Himalaya and Mount Everest as seen from space looking south-south-east from over the [[Tibetan Plateau]]. The [[Himalaya]]s in the north and north-east protect the subcontinent from bitter continental cold, save the [[monsoon]] winds from escaping, and replenish the river watersheds and flat arable lands that have spawned the Indian civilization.]] |
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== External links == |
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[[Image:Bombay24.jpg|thumb|250px|The Metropolis of [[Mumbai]] as seen from above during night time. Mumbai is one of the most modern and cosmopolitan cities in [[India]]]] |
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* [http://www.crp.polis.cam.ac.uk/ Centre for Rising Powers, University of Cambridge] |
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* [https://repository.library.georgetown.edu/handle/10822/552652 China on the World Stage] from the [https://repository.library.georgetown.edu/handle/10822/552494 Dean Peter Krogh Foreign Affairs Digital Archives] |
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* [http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/asia/article3913602.ece Blast off: India hopes Mars rocket will enhance its superpower status] by The Times |
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* [https://hbr.org/2007/12/china-india-the-power-of-two/ar/1 China and India: The Power of Two] by Harvard Business Review |
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* [https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/04/the-end-of-pax-americana-how-western-decline-became-inevitable/256388/?single_page=true The End of Pax Americana: How Western Decline Became Inevitable] by The Atlantic |
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* [https://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2013/11/24/why-the-u-s-remains-the-worlds-unchallenged-superpower/ Why The U.S. Remains The World's Unchallenged Superpower] |
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India, the [[List of countries by area|7th largest]] nation by area, lies at the north-central region of [[Indian Ocean]] - a zone with unprecedented potential for growth in the scale of transoceanic commerce, with many Eurasian and increasingly Afro-Asian sea-trade routes passing through or close to Indian [[territorial waters]]. The subcontinent's land and water resources, though strained, is yet sustaining its massive population. |
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According to [[Lord Curzon]] of the [[British Empire]]: |
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<blockquote> |
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The central position of India, its magnificent resources, its teeming multitude of men, its great trading harbors, its reserve of military strength, supplying an army always in a high state of efficiency and capable of being hurled at a moment's notice upon any point either of Asia or Africa--all these are assets of precious value. On the West, India must exercise a predominant influence over the destinies of Persia and Afghanistan; on the north, it can veto any rival in Tibet; on the north-east . . . it can exert great pressure upon China, and it is one of the guardians of the autonomous existence of Siam. Possession of India gave the British Empire its global reach.<ref>''The Weekly Standard''[http://www.gmfus.org/publications/article.cfm?parent_type=P&id=254 The Great Game] by Daniel Twining</ref> |
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</blockquote> |
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In the future, the world is expected to enter from the [[Fossil fuel| "fossil fuel age"]], and perhaps [[Nuclear energy|"nuclear energy age"]], into the ''[[Renewable energy|"renewable-energy age"]]'' or even further into the ''[[Fusion power|"fusion power age"]]'', if and whenever these technologies become economically sustainable. <ref>[http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2002/11/11/83056/403 Our Energy Future: Fusion, Space Solar Power or both?]</ref><ref>[[Future energy development]]</ref><ref>[http://www.lb.shuttle.de/apastron/energy.htm Energy for all in a responsible manner]</ref> Being a region in the [[Tropical region|sunny tropical |
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belt]], the [[Indian Subcontinent]] could greatly benefit from a renewable energy trend, as it has the ideal combination of both - high [[Insolation|solar insolation]]<ref>[http://www.energie-atlas.net/so-100.htm#1-2-101 Energy-Atlas Solar radiation]</ref> and a big [[consumer|consumer base]] density.<ref>[http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_detail.php?id=116 NASA population density map]</ref><ref>[http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/01/solar_leds_brig.php Solar LEDs Brighten Rural India's Future]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3623864.stm Solar plan for Indian computers]</ref> For example, considering the costs of energy consumed for temperature control (a major factor influencing a regions [[energy intensity]]) and the fact that - cooling load requirements, unlike heating, are roughly in phase with the sun's intensity, [[cooling]] from the excessive solar radiation could make great energetic (and hence economic) sense in the subcontinent, whenever the required technology becomes competitively cheaper.<ref>[http://www.solarserver.de/solarmagazin/artikeljuni2002-e.html Solar Cooling] German report </ref> <ref>[http://www.ilkdresden.de/de/leistungen/forall/pdf/vortrag_cooling_applications.pdf Paper presented at International Conference on Solar Air Conditioning, Germany]</ref> <ref>[http://www.solel.com/products/icooling/solar_cooling/ Solar Cooling - Case Studies]</ref> India also has 25% of the world's [[thorium]] resources. |
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[[Image:apartmentingurgaon.JPG|right|thumb|250px|The increased Indian population has prompted the creation of high rise apartment blocks in numerous cities, including relatively minor cities like [[Gurgaon]], where this apartment block was built.]] |
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India has the world's second largest population.<ref> [http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbrank.html Indian Census] </ref> The government has attempted to control the population so as to avoid overpopulation. Some [[South India]]n states have slowed down their population growth to below 1%.<ref>[http://www.blonnet.com/2006/05/18/stories/2006051804550100.htm Population growth rates dip below 1 pc in TN, Kerala] ''The Hindu Business Line'' </ref> [[List of countries by population growth rate|The PGR for the country is 1.38]]. Due to its high [[birth rate]] India has a young population compared to most aging nations. It has approximately 60% of its population below the age of 30. In addition, declining fertility is beginning to reduce the youth dependency rate which may produce a [[demographic dividend]].<ref>[http://customerworld.typepad.com/swami_weblog/2006/02/indias_demograp.html India's demographic dividend]</ref> <ref> [http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/01/17/stories/2006011701531100.htm India's potential `demographic dividend' ]</ref> <ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000039&sid=aEISLF.zCjBo&refer=columnist_mukherjee India Argues as Window of Opportunity Closes]</ref> In the coming decades, while some of the powerful nations witness a decrease in workforce, India is expected to have an increase. For example while Europe is well past its [[demographic window]], the U.S. entered its in 1970 (lasting until 2015), China entered its in 1990 (will last until 2025), India won't enter its window until 2010 (lasting until 2050).<ref>[http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/longrange2/WorldPop2300final.pdf Demographic Windows - Table19(pg 93), TableA19(pg 250)] Pop2300, UN</ref> Regionally South Asia is supposed to maintain the youngest demographic profile after Africa and Middle East, with the window extending up to 2070s. <ref>[http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/longrange2/WorldPop2300final.pdf WORLD POPULATION TO 2300] The United Nations</ref> More than 35 million Indians live across the globe.<ref> [http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/ The Indian Diaspora]</ref> Under fair opportunities, they have become socio-economically successful.<ref>[http://www.asian-nation.org/demographics.shtml Socioeconomics of Asians in America]</ref> |
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The importance of English in the 21st century is a topic of debate,<ref>[http://www.sydneyline.com/Anglosphere%20Challenge.htm Sphere of Influence?]</ref><ref>[http://www.chicagoboyz.net/archives/001621.html English and call centers]</ref><ref>[http://law.richmond.edu/jolt/v12i1/article2.pdf English in the Global Village]</ref> nonetheless the growing pool of non-native English speakers makes it the best contender for "Global language" status.<ref>[http://goingglobal.corante.com/archives/2006/02/24/english_as_a_second_language_english_as_a_global_language.php English as a Second Language. English as a Global Language.]</ref><ref>[http://dannyreviews.com/h/English_Global_Language.html English as a Global Language]</ref> Incidentally, India has the world's largest [[Indian English|English]] speaking/understanding population.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/txt/s1363471.htm ABC Australia]<!-- This article just mentions Crystal's result; can we get a primary source for this instead of a secondary/tertiary? --></ref> It claims one of the largest workforce of [[engineers]], [[physician|doctors]] and other key professionals, all comfortable with English.<ref>[http://www.investmentcommission.in/human_capital.htm Versatile, skilled human capital]</ref> It has the 2nd largest population of "fluent English" speakers, second only to the U.S., with estimates ranging from 150 to 250 million, and is expected to have the largest in coming decades. |
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[[Image:DSC00058.JPG|250px|thumb|The Machinery of the world's largest democracy: [[Sansad Bhavan]], the Parliament of India]] |
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[[Image:Vicente Fox Singh.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Mexico|Mexican]] president [[Vicente Fox]] and Manmohan Singh. India is extremely keen on improving its ties with other developing countries.]] |
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[[Image:Bush Singh Ovaloffice july18 2005.jpg|thumb|250px|Indian Prime Minister, [[Manmohan Singh]], the leader of the world's largest republican democracy, with US President, [[George W.Bush]], leader of the world's most powerful [[democracy]]. Indo-US Relations have improved recently due to a civilian nuclear deal.]] |
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India is the world's largest democratic republic, more than three times bigger than the next largest ([[United States|U.S.]]). It has so far been successful, at least politically, especially considering its functionality in difficult ethnic composition.<ref>[http://www.beyondbooks.com/wcu91/3p.asp The World's Largest Democracy]</ref><ref>[http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=76315 Democracy in India ]</ref> The fact that India is a democracy has improved its relations with other democratic nations and significantly improved its ties with the majority of the nations in the developed world. <ref>[http://www.io.com/~casburn/blog/archives/2004/01/04/000051.html ''India as a future superpower''] The Trailing Edge</ref> India has been pressing for permanent membership of the [[United Nations]] [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]] (as part of the [[G4 nations]]<ref>[http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1335522,00.html G4 Nations Bid for Permanent Security Council Seat]</ref>) but without veto ability.<ref>[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-04/12/content_433530.htm China supports India's bid for UNSC seat]</ref> It has received backing from the [[United Kingdom|UK]],<ref>[http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/Jul22005/national174050200571.asp UK supports India’s bid for UNSC seat]</ref> [[France]]<ref>[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_13-9-2005_pg7_47 France backs India’s UNSC bid]</ref> and [[Russia]]<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/2004/12/05/top9.htm Russia wants India in UNSC with veto power]</ref>. However, [[People's Republic of China|China]]<ref>[http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/reform/cluster1/2005/0803chinausblock.htm US and China Unite to Block G4 Plan]</ref> and the [[United States|U.S]]<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/2005/07/17/top12.htm US won’t back India’s bid for UNSC]</ref> have not been supportive of the bid. With improved Indo-US relations, the US is expected by some to reconsider its stand.<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=72765 US India UN]</ref> |
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India has developed relationships with the world powers like the [[European Union|EU]],<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/india/csp/index.htm EU-India]</ref> the U.S.,<ref>[http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__business/&articleid=265303 India finds US wants to be its new best friend]</ref> Japan and Russia. It also developed relationships with the [[African Union]] (esp. [[South Africa]]), the [[Arab World]], [[Southeast Asia]], [[Israel]] and [[South American]] nations (esp. [[Brazil]]). In order to make the environment propitious for economic growth, India is investing on its relations with China.<ref>[http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=5578 China-India Entente]</ref> It has significantly boosted its image among western nations and signed a civilian nuclear deal with the United States in March [[2006]]. It is also working for better relationships with [[Pakistan]] and [[Iran]].<ref>[http://www.logosjournal.com/issue_4.1/parikh.htm India-Pakistan Rapprochement]</ref> Historically, India was one of the founding members of [[Non-Aligned Movement]], and had good relationships with Soviet Union and other parts of western world. It played regional roles in [[South Asia]]n affairs, e.g. its use of the [[Indian Peace Keeping Force]] in the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] and in [[Sri Lanka]]. It took a leading initiative to improve relations between [[Africa]]n and [[Asia]]n countries. India is an active member of the [[Commonwealth of Nations| Commonwealth]] and the [[World Trade Organization|WTO]]. The evolving economic integration politics in the West and in Asia is influencing the Indian mood to slowly swing in favour of integration with global economy.<ref>[http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2006/02/feldstein_on_ec.html Economic Growth in India]</ref> Currently, India's political moves are being influenced by economic imperatives. [[New Delhi]] is also being observed to slowly, cautiously, and often hesitantly, step into the unchartered role of becoming one of the two major seats of political power in Asia,<ref>[http://www.china.org.cn/english/BAT/125645.htm Two Sleeping Asian Giants Awaken]</ref> the other being at [[Beijing]]. Some enlightened thinkers from the subcontinent have also envisioned, over the long run, of a South Asian version of free trade zone and even a Union, where the South Asian nations relinquish all past animosities and move to make economic growth a pan subcontinental phenomenon. <ref>[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_6-9-2003_pg7_46 South Asian Union]</ref> <ref>[http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=2765 Future South Asian Union (SAU)]</ref> |
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A new and highly controversial geopolitical strategy, being debated in the West, is whether India should be trusted/helped to become an economically strong democratic citizen of the world and be used to balance the powerful but non-democratic forces, to insure a more stable world.<ref>[http://www.gmfus.org/publications/article.cfm?parent_type=P&id=254 The Great Game] by Daniel Twining, ''The Weekly Standard''</ref> Generally speaking it is discussed in the context of adopting a policy of [[offshore balancing]] on the part of the United States. A new American strategy towards India has been indicated in George W. Bush's recent visit to the subcontinent.<ref> [http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11571348/site/newsweek/ India Rising] MSNBC Newsweek</ref> India's current economic growth (as the world's second-fastest growing major economy) has improved its standing on the world's political stage, even though it is still a developing country, but one that is showing strong development. Many nations are moving to forge better relationships with India.<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/pm-lauds-india-and-puts-runs-on-board-for-trade-links/2006/03/08/1141701579383.html India - Australia]</ref><ref>[http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1718111,00.html Indo-US friendship]</ref> |
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[[Image:Mumbai Pune Expressway 1.JPG|thumb|250px|left|The Mumbai [[Pune]] Expressway, part of a series of modern high-traffic roads in India]] |
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<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Infosys Hyderabad.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The [[Infosys]] complex in [[Hyderabad, India]]. Infosys is one of India's largest [[Information technology|IT]] companies]] --> |
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The [[economy of India]] is currently the world's [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|fourth largest]] in terms of [[Real versus nominal value|real GDP]] ([[Purchasing Power Parity|PPP]]) after the USA, the People's Republic of China and Japan, and the second fastest growing major economy in the world, averaging at an annual growth rate of above 8%.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2043393.cms India's GDP up 8.9%]</ref> <ref>[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html#Econ CIA - The World Factbook]</ref><ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_34/b3948401.htm BusinessWeek online]</ref>. Its record growth was in the third quarter of 2003, when it grew higher than any other emerging economy at 10.4% <ref>[http://www.indiainitiative.com/articles_indasia.htm The Finance Professional, 2004]</ref> <ref>[http://www.unc.edu/depts/diplomat/item/2006/0406/will/williamson_india.html India's Rising Economy] by John Williamson</ref>. Interestingly, estimates by the IMF shows that by 2007 (see [[List of countries by future GDP estimates (PPP)]]), India will be the third largest economy in the world, overtaking the Japanese economy. The current growth rate is at 9.2%<ref>[http://bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ayAK98NMbmCA&refer=home India's Economic Growth Unexpectedly Quickens to 9.2%]</ref>. India, growing at 8% per year, is the world's second largest producer of food next to China. Food processing accounts for USD 69.4 billion as gross income.<ref>[http://www.ibef.org/economy/overview.aspx Indian Economy: An Overview]</ref> India is still relatively a small player in manufacturing when compared to many world leaders. Some new trends suggest an improvement in future, since the manufacturing sector is growing at 11-12%.<ref>[http://ibef.org/download/Manufacturing_13feb06.pdf Manufacturing in India]</ref><ref>[http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=6582 India Gains Credibility as an Emergent Export Titan]</ref><ref>[http://www.kpmg.ca/en/industries/cib/industrial/manufacturingInIndia.html Manufacturing in India]</ref><ref>[http://www.physorg.com/news11145.html India hi-tech manufacturing]</ref><ref>[http://www.kpmg.se/pages/102897.html Manufacturing in India - Opportunities, Challenges, and Myths]</ref><ref>[http://ibef.org/economy/manufacturing.aspx Manufacturing]</ref> India currently has an expanding [[Information Technology|IT]] industry which is considered one of the best in the world. Some have begun to describe India as a ''technology superpower''. <ref>[http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/11-01h-04.asp ''India acts as a technology superpower – provides IT grant to Uzbekistan!''] India Daily </ref><ref>[http://www.emergence.nu/events/budapest/ahuja.pdf Information Technology in India] ''The Emergence Project''</ref> It is considered the World's Office and is leading in the Services Industry. This is mainly due to the availability of a large pool of highly skilled, low cost, English speaking workforce.<ref>[http://www.atkearney.com/main.taf?p=1,5,1,144 Offshoring]</ref> <ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=323&ObjectID=10329364 India IT] NZ Herald</ref> |
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[[Image:GSLV launch.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle]] in [[Shri Harikota]]. India is one of the few countries in the world that has the capability of launching satellites into [[Geostationary transfer orbit|Geo Transfer Orbits]].]] |
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India is trying to develop more high skilled, English speaking people to fit in the future knowledge economy. <ref>[http://www.newscientist.com/special/india India: The next knowledge superpower] NewScientist </ref> <ref>[http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/WBI/WBIPROGRAMS/KFDLP/0,,contentMDK:20552872~menuPK:461238~pagePK:64156158~piPK:64152884~theSitePK:461198,00.html A World Bank report, India and the Knowledge Economy]</ref> India is becoming one of the world's leading producers of computer software and with mushrooming R&D centres it is experiencing a steady revolution in science and technology.<ref>[http://news.com.com/Indias+renaissance+The+100+computer/2009-1041_3-5752054.html India Tech.]</ref> <ref>[http://desicritics.org/2006/02/07/160341.php Biotech: The Next Tech Revolution In India]</ref> <ref>[http://www.itbusinessedge.com/item/?ci=5725 Global R&D Moves Towards Integration..]</ref> A typical example of India's rising scientific endeavours is that it was the 3rd nation to found a National Space Agency called [[ISRO]], after the [[Soviet Union|USSR]] and the U.S. It was the third Asian nation to send satellites into space after China and Japan in 1970, starting with [[Aryabhata (satellite)|Aryabhata]] in 1975.<ref>[http://www.aerospaceguide.net/worldspace/india_in_space.html India in Space]</ref> <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1283700.stm BBC- India joins space elite]</ref> In [[January 2007]], India became the fourth nation to complete [[atmospheric reentry]]<ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1907193,00040005.htm Hindustan Times] ''Giant step in space as capsule returns''</ref> By 2008 it plans to send an [[Chandrayaan|unmanned mission]] to the [[Moon]]. <ref>[http://www.physorg.com/news3448.html Europe, India Cooperate for India's Moon Mission]</ref> <ref>[http://www.spacedaily.com/news/lunar-05k.html NASA India's Moon Mission]</ref> <ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/05/MNGMIHITQG1.DTL World's nations will shoot for the moon in the next decade]</ref>. India and the [[United States]] have increased mutual cooperation in space-travel related technologies, such as increasing the interoperability between Indian and US systems, and prospects for a commercial space launch agreement with India that would allow US satellites to be launched on Indian vehicles<ref>[http://www.thespacereview.com/article/768/1 The other rising Asian space power]</ref>.India is among the world leaders in [[remote sensing]],<ref>[http://www.fas.org/spp/guide/india/earth/irs.htm Indian Remote Sensing]</ref> a technology coming to great use, among others, to Indian fishermen & farmers.<ref>[http://www.newscientist.com/special/india/mg18524871.000 NewScientist - Indian Space programme] </ref> India is also trying to join international R&D projects - e.g. it has recently joined the European [[Galileo positioning system|Galileo GPS Project]]<ref>[http://www.euractiv.com/Article?tcmuri=tcm:29-144243-16&type=News Galileo welcomes India ]</ref> and the [[ITER|ITER for fusion energy]] club.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4504668.stm BBC - India joins nuclear fusion club]</ref> Some Indian educational and research institutions like [[Indian Institute of Technology|IIT]],<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/06/19/60minutes/main559476.shtml Imported From India]</ref> [[National Institutes of Technology|NIT]], [[Indian Institute of Management|IIM]], [[Indian Institute of Science|IISc]], [[Tata Institute of Fundamental Research|TIFR]] and [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences|AIIMS]] are among the world's best. |
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To reduce the energy crisis, India is presently constructing ~ 9 civilian [[nuclear power]] reactors and several [[Hydroelectricity|hydro-power]] stations. Recently on 25/01/2007, Russian president, Vladimir Putin on a visit to India offered to build 4 more reactors and India is expected to clinch this deal of strategical importance.<ref>[http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf17.htm World Nuclear Organization] </ref> Recently it also made a civilian nuclear energy deal with the US<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4695477.stm Historic breakthrough for India-US relations]</ref> and EU.<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/02/20/news/chirac.php France and India agree on atom deal]</ref> In recent years, India joined China to launch a vigorous campaign to acquire oil fields around the world and now has stake in several oil fields (in the Middle East and Russia).<ref>[http://www.ecoworld.com/Home/Articles2.cfm?TID=358 INDIA'S ENERGY FUTURE]</ref> <ref>[http://www.blonnet.com/2005/02/19/stories/2005021902920300.htm India keen on stake in oil fields.. ]</ref> <ref>[http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/apr2005/ind1-a12.shtml India joins the scramble for oil]</ref> <ref>[http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=VAR20060124&articleId=1792 India, China and the Asian axis of oil ]</ref> |
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[[Image:New Delhi Metro.jpeg|thumb|250px|[[New Delhi Metro]], operational since 2002, is seen as a model for other metros. With growth in economy and technology, India is welcoming modernization.]] |
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India is in the process of developing modern mass rapid transit systems to replace its existing system which is seen as inadequate to cater to present and future urban requirements. A modern metro rail system is already in place in the cities of [[Delhi]], [[Mumbai]], [[Chennai]] and [[Kolkata]]. Work is in progress or would be commencing shortly for developing similar mass transit system in cities of [[New Okhla Industrial Development Authority|NOIDA]], [[Hyderabad (India)|Hyderabad]], [[Bangalore]], [[Indore]], [[Ahmedabad]] and [[Kochi (India)|Kochi]].<ref>[[Transport in India#Metro]]</ref> [[Indore]] is leading the track by implementing world class GPS enabled, low floor buses in a [[Rapid Transport System]]. With growth in economy and technology, India is welcoming modernisation. The [[Indian Railways|Indian rail network]] traverses the length and breadth of the country, covering a total length of 63,140 [[kilometre|km]] (39,200 [[mile]]s). It is one of the largest and busiest rail networks in the world, transporting over 5 billion passengers and over 350 million [[tonne]]s of freight annually.<ref>[http://www.indianrail.gov.in/abir.html Salient Features of Indian Railways]. Figures as of 2002.</ref> Its operations covers [[states and territories of India|twenty-seven states and three Union territories]] and also links the neighbouring countries of [[Nepal]], [[Bangladesh]] and [[Pakistan]]. However, other public transport systems, such as buses are often not up to the standards followed in developed countries.<ref>[[Transport in India#Buses]]</ref> |
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[[Image:Taj Mahal in March 2004.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Taj Mahal]], representing [[Mughal]] influence on India's [[cultural mosaic]].]] |
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India, with its diverse and fascinating history, arts, music, culture, spiritual & social models has witnessed the growth of a booming tourism industry.<ref name="HT tourism">[http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/8131_1821301,00160138.htm India's incredible tourism story only gets better] by Saikat Neogi, October 16 2006</ref> India is a historic place with a diverse history of over five millennia. About 3.9 million tourists travelled to India in 2005, each spending approximately $1,470 per person, higher than that of France (the leading tourist destination in the world).<ref name="HT tourism"/> Foreign visitors in 2005 spent more than US $15.4 billion annually in India <ref>[http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news05/157-India.shtml Asian Travel] </ref> <ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2005/s1496346.htm India - Medical Tourism]</ref> <ref>[http://www.asianresearch.org/articles/2169.html Asian Research]</ref>. Many travellers find the cultural diversity an enriching experience, despite the hassles inefficiency, pollution and overcrowding. <ref>[http://www.roadjunky.com/india/guide_india.shtml A Travel Guide to India] ''Road Junky Guides''</ref><ref>[http://travel.roughguides.com/roughguides.html Rough Guides Travel]</ref> Monuments like the [[Taj Mahal]] are among the many attractions of this land.<ref>[http://www.geographia.com/indx04.htm Geographia - India]</ref> <ref>[[Tourism in India]]</ref> As of 2006, Conde Nast Traveller ranked India the 4th most preferred travel destination.<ref name="HT tourism"/> The Planning Commission expects 5.8 million tourists travelling to India by 2010. The World Travel and Tourism Council believes India's tourism industry will grow at 10% per annum in the next decade, making it lead the world in terms of growth.<ref name="HT tourism"/> Tourism contributes 6% of India's GDP and employed 40 million people, making it an important factor in India's economic growth.<ref name="HT tourism"/> |
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"First World medical services at Third World prices" - Indian Metros have emerged as the leading destination of medical tourism. Last year, an estimated 150,000 foreigners visited India for medical procedures, and the number is increasing at the rate of about 15 percent a year.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49743-2004Oct20.html 'Medical Tourists']</ref> |
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[[Image:India.Military.02.jpg|thumb|250px|left|An [[Indian Army]] contingent showcasing itself at the Republic Day Parade]] |
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The [[Indian Armed Forces]], India's main defence organisation, consists of two main branches: the core [[Military of India]] and the [[Indian Paramilitary Forces]]. The Military of India maintains the [[List of countries by number of active troops|third largest]] [[active duty]] force in the world after the [[People's Republic of China]] and the [[United States]]<ref>See [[List of countries by number of active troops]]</ref>, while the [[Indian Paramilitary Forces]], over a million strong, is the second largest [[paramilitary]] force in the world. Combined, the total [[armed forces]] of India are 2,414,700 strong, the [[List of countries by size of armed forces|world's third largest]] defence force.<ref>See [[List of countries by size of armed forces]]</ref> The [[Army of India]], as the Indian army was called under [[British Raj|British rule]] before 1947, played a crucial role in checking the advance of [[Imperial Japan]] into South Asia during [[World War II]]. It also played a leading role in [[Bangladesh Liberation War|the liberation of Bangladesh]] in [[1971]]. Today, the [[Indian Army]] is the world's second largest army after [[People's Republic of China|China's]] [[People's Liberation Army]]. The [[Indian Air Force]] is the fourth largest [[air force]] in the world <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/airforce.htm GlobalSecurity.org]</ref><ref> [http://careerairforce.nic.in/airforce_history/index.html Indian Air Force website]</ref>. India recently flew its first indigenously manufactured [[HAL Tejas|combat aircraft]]. <!--It is presently developing a fifth generation aircraft known as the [[Sukhoi Su-47]] with Russia. -- uncited claim -jno --> The [[Indian Navy]] is the world's fifth largest [[navy]] <ref>[http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php?storyflag=y&leftnm=lmnu2&leftindx=2&lselect=1&chklogin=N&autono=201988 Project Seabird]</ref>. It is considered to have [[Blue-water navy|blue-water]] capabilities with sophisticated missile-capable warships, [[aircraft carrier]], [[minesweeper]]s, advanced [[submarine]]s and the latest [[aircraft]] in its inventory, along with a significant use of state of the art technology that is indigenously manufactured. <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/navy-intro.htm Global Security] The Indian Navy </ref> It operates one of only two [[Asia]]n [[aircraft carriers]]. It also plans to induct the [[INS Vikramaditya]] by [[2008]]. The first successful use of missiles in history against a modern army, was by Indians against the British Army in the Mysore wars.<ref>[http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/History.html History of Indian rocketry]</ref> India started the IGMDP to be a self reliant nation in missile development. The IGMDP program includes five missiles <ref>[http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/India/Missile/1769_1975.html Missile Facilities]</ref> - the ballistic missiles like the Prithvi and [[Agni missile system|Agni]], surface to air missiles Trishul and Akash and also the anti tank Nag missile. Prithvi and Agni missiles are inducted into the armed forces and form the basis of Indian nuclear second strike capability. Trishul missile is declared a technology demonstrator. The Akash and Nag missiles are undergoing user trials. Recently, a new weapons system, the air-to-air Astra missile was added into the project. Astra is a BVR capable missile. The expertise in developing these missiles has helped Indian scientists to contribute to joint weapon development programs like the [[BrahMos|Brahmos]] and Barak-II. There are reports of India developing an Intercontinental ballistic missile named Surya (Sun). This missile is said to have a range of twelve thousand kilometers.<ref>[http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/india/missile/index.html Indian Missile Programs]</ref> India possesses nuclear weapons since 1974, when it did the Pokharan I nuclear tests, and the means to deliver them over long distances. However, India is not a signatory to the [[Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]] (on grounds of security concerns and that India condemns the NPT as discriminatory).<ref>[http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/india/nuke/ Nuclear Weapons]</ref> <ref>[http://www.thebulletin.org/article_nn.php?art_ofn=so05norris India's nuclear forces, 2005]</ref> India is currently one of the world's largest arms importers, spending an estimated US$16.97 billion in 2004. India has made military technology deals with the Russian Federation, the U.S., Israel and the EU. <ref>[http://www.rupe-india.org/41/central.html From Central Asia to the Gulf to the South China Sea]</ref> The [[Indian Armed Forces]] plays a crucial role in [[anti-terrorist]] activities and maintaining law and order in the disputed [[Kashmir]] region. India has also participated in several [[United Nations]] peace-keeping missions, currently being the largest contributor to UN peace keeping force and is the largest contributor to the United Nations Democratic Fund, to which the USA, the world's only current superpower, contributes nothing.<ref>[http://www.indianembassy.org/policy/Peace_Keeping/history_india_UN_peace_keeping.htm Indian Embassy]</ref> |
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India is one of two ancient civilizations, dating back to at least 5000 years, which have stood the test of time and survived against all odds. Indians invented the [[Indian numerals|numbering system]] (introduced into the West by Arabic mathematicians, [[Hindu-Arabic numeral system|Arabic numerals]]), the concept of zero, basic algebra, etc.<ref>[http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ab34 Number History]</ref> <ref>[http://www-gap.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/%7Ehistory/HistTopics/Indian_numerals.html Indian Numeral History]</ref><ref>[http://www.laputanlogic.com/articles/2003/06/01-95210802.html Evolution of Numbers]</ref> India has a long history of cultural intercourse with many regions of the world, especially within Asia, where its cultural influence has spread through the philosophy of religions like [[Buddhism]], [[Hinduism]],[[Sikhism]], etc - particularly in East and Southeast Asia. Many religions with origins outside the Indian continent - [[Islam]], [[Christianity]], [[Judaism]], [[Zoroastrianism]], [[Bahá'í Faith]] - have found followers in India. Indian culture has spread to foreign lands through wandering traders, philosophers, migration and less through conquest. According to Chinese ambassador to the [[United States]], [[Hu Shih]]: |
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<blockquote>India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border. - [[Hu Shih]]<ref>[http://www.spiritualjourneys.net/quotes_about_india.htm Spritual Journeys] ''Quotes About India''</ref><ref>[http://thinkexist.com/quotation/india_conquered_and_dominated_china_culturally/188786.html ThinkExist] ''Hu Shih Quotes''</ref></blockquote> |
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[[Image:Agni-II missile (Republic Day Parade 2004).jpeg|thumb|left|250px|Indigenously developed [[Agni missile system|Agni-II]] ballistic missile.]] |
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The Maurya, Gupta, Mughal, [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagara]] and Chola empires provide the necessary confidence that a powerful state can be established despite having diversity. India's film industry produces more feature films than any other. <ref>[http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=3569 American Chronicle]</ref> In a year, it sold 3.6 billion tickets, more than any other film industry in the world (In comparison, [[Hollywood]] sold 2.6 billion tickets) <ref>[http://richardemblin.blogspot.com/2006/01/letter-from-india.html Richard Emblin: Letter from India]</ref>. The cinemas play a major role in spreading [[Indian culture]] worldwide. Indian cinema trancended its boundaries from the days of film Awara, a great hit in Russia. Bollywood films are seen in central and west Asia.<ref>[http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=story&articleid=VR1117857687&categoryid=19&cs=1 Bollywood in Afghanistan]</ref> <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3834295.stm Bollywood in Cental Asia]</ref> <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/200689.stm Bollywood in Central Asia]</ref> <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4190847.stm Bollywood draws global stars]</ref> Indian films have also found audience in eastern societies.<ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1063542 Indian soft power]</ref> India's film industry is now becoming increasingly popular in [[Western society]], with Bollywood festivals occurring numerous cities<ref>[http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20050409-2.html Apun ka Choice] ''New York Film Festival kicks off with Ananda''</ref><ref>[http://www.mgdistribution.com.au/ MG Distribution] Indian Film Festival</ref> and Bollywood dance groups performing in [[New Years Eve]] celebrations, treatment which other non-English film industries generally do not receive.<ref>[http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/tmcarsrc/Media%20Release%20-%20NYE%202006%20-%20Federation%20Square.pdf Thats Melbourne] ''New Years Eve Celebration'' - Bollywood dance group</ref> |
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India has a [[Demographics of India|multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious]] society living together. The subcontinent's long and diverse history has given it a unique eclectic culture. It is often associated with spirituality. Thanks to its history of both indigenous and foreign influences - like the ancient Indian schools of thought ([[Buddhism]], [[Hinduism]], [[Jainism]], etc) and the ancient Western-Eurasian schools of thought (Abrahamic - [[Islam]], [[Christianity]], etc.) - the current Indian civilizational psyche is evolving into a complex mix of them - sometimes a superposition of religious philosophies with acceptance of the conflicting cosmologies, sometimes striking a middle ground, and sometimes taking the practical attitude - popular with the young - of "filtering the common best, and leaving the rest", thus leading to the creation of many syncretic mix of faiths (such as [[Sai Baba of Shirdi]]). Since independence, more progressive schools of thought, like - [[democracy]], [[secularism]], rule of law, esteem for [[human rights]], rational deductive reasoning, development of [[Science]] and [[Technology]], etc - are making slow but steady inroads into the collective modern Indian psyche. India's diversity forces it to evolve strong foundations of [[tolerance]] and pluralism, or face breakup. The Indian public is now also accepting modern [[Western society|western]] influences in their society and media - and what is emerging is a confluence of its past local culture with the new western culture ("Social Globalisation"). For some [[futuristic]] social thinkers, the miscegenation of diverse ancient culture with modernity, spirituality with science/technology, Eastern with Western world-view is potentially making India a social laboratory for the evolution of futuristic global-unity consciousness.<ref>[http://www.auroville.org/economy/New_business_seminar05.htm New Business and Global Consciousness]</ref> <ref>[http://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/h_es/h_es_malho_global.htm India's Place in Global Consciousness]</ref> <ref>[http://www.here-now4u.de/eng/science__global_consciousness_.htm Science, Global Consciousness And The Self]</ref> |
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=== Problems === |
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Democratic republicanism has its value,<ref>[http://www1.worldbank.org/devoutreach/summer99/article.asp?id=3 World Bank -The Value of Democracy]</ref> more so in a multi-ethnic country like India <ref>[http://www.iranian.com/Opinion/2002/October/India/ Democracy and Islam ] Iranian </ref>. However, the applicability of the "theoretical" virtues of republicanism on a country like India is sometimes questioned.<ref>[http://folk.uio.no/danbanik/phdthesis.htm Democracy, drought and starvation in India]</ref> <ref>[http://www.newint.org/issue324/seeking.htm Desperately seeking democracy]</ref> <ref>[http://www.sikhtimes.com/news_100505a.html Indian Democracy Has Collapsed]</ref> Some thinkers consider India's diverse democracy to levy a huge tax on its economy.<ref>[http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5081267 Economist: Democracy's drawbacks]</ref> The Indian government has to consider many interest groups before decision making. However, it should be noted that India is relatively a much younger republic when compared to other major democracies. Moreover, it is predicted that in the long run, India being a democracy will provide it an edge over non-democratic competitors like [[China]].<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3YcxFgD89U Race to the Top of the World - India vs China] - BBC Documentary </ref> India has had significant successes with quelling many insurgencies, most prominently the Sikh terrorism ([[Khalistan]]) and the surrender of large sections of insurgent outfits like the [[United Liberation Front of Asom]] in [[1992]] and [[National Liberation Front of Tripura]] in [[2000]]-[[2001]]. However the Indian government has acknowledged that there has been a dramatic increase in support for the [[Maoist]]s ([[Naxalite]]) insurgency in the last decade.<ref>[http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-05-17-voa23.cfm Insurgency] VOA News</ref> Maoist rebels have increased their influence over the last 10 years, especially in regions near [[Nepal]], particularly by targeting and gaining support from poor villages in India. The boom in support appears to have been also boosted by the successes of the nearly 10-year-old Maoist rebellion in [[Nepal]]. The maoist insurgency exploits the poor by forced conscription. India's government has recently taken a new stance on the Maoist insurgency, pulling the affected states together to coordinate their response. It says it will combine improved policing with socio-economic measures to defuse grievances that fuel the Maoist cause<ref>[http://www.alertnet.org/printable.htm?URL=/db/crisisprofiles/IN_MAO.htm Indian Maoist violence]</ref>. |
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India's growth is impeded by disputes with its neighboring [[People's Republic of China]] and [[Pakistan]] (over historical border and ideological issues) and disputes with [[Bangladesh]] (over water availability and the [[Farakka Dam]]). Hence, India's neighbors such as China and Pakistan remain distrustful towards India. It is also occasionally burdened with instability issues within some localised-regions of the subcontinent. In an effort to reduce political tension and increase economic cooperation, in recent years, India has improved its relations with its neighbors <ref>[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-12/16/content_3928187.htm India, China to speed up border dispute talks] Xinhua Net </ref>. India is not a member of the [[UNSC]], although currently it is one of the [[G4 nations|four-nations group]] actively seeking a permanent seat in the council. Thus India lacks the ability to extend its influence or ideas on international events in the way superpowers do. <ref>[http://www.twq.com/04winter/docs/04winter_perkovich.pdf#search='Is%20India%20a%20major%20power%20George%20Perkovich' Is India a Major Power?]</ref> As of 2005, approximately 22-26% of India's population lived below poverty line.<ref>[http://www.indiatogether.org/2006/mar/ddz-povline.htm Poverty line in India] </ref> <ref>[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/06/15/stories/2006061504670100.htm Poverty line]</ref> <ref>[http://www.wakeupcall.org/administration_in_india/poverty_line.php Povery Stats]</ref> Poverty also begets child labour. <ref>[http://www.wm.edu/so/monitor/spring98/docs/ChildLabor.html Child labour in india]</ref> Various reforms, including mass employment schemes have been undertaken by the government to tackle this problem, <ref>[http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-02/2006-02-02-voa17.cfm?CFID=12447537&CFTOKEN=67146007 Rural Employment Project] VOA </ref> <ref>[http://www.indianchild.com/poverty_in_india.htm Anti poverty Programs by Indian Government]</ref> and India has been quite successful in reducing its share of poverty. The number of people living on $1 a day is expected to fall in South Asia from 41.5 per cent in 1990 to 16.4 per cent until 2015. <ref>[http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2004/nov/18wb.htm?zcc=rl Poverty rate drops in India: World Bank]</ref> However, the issue of poverty in India is not fully resolved. There is consensus among economists that overall poverty in India has declined, the extent of poverty reduction is often debated <ref>[http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/SOUTHASIAEXT/EXTSAREGTOPPOVRED/0,,contentMDK:20574067~menuPK:493447~pagePK:34004173~piPK:34003707~theSitePK:493441,00.html Poverty in India] World Bank</ref>. The economic reforms of the early 1990s were followed by rates of high economic growth. Its effect on poverty remain controversial, and the official numbers published by the Government of India, showing a reduction of poverty from 36% (1993–94) to 26% (1999 – 00), to 22% (2004 - 05), have been challenged both for allegedly showing too little and too much poverty reduction<ref name="Deaton et al">[http://poverty2.forumone.com/files/15168_deaton_kozel_2004.pdf Data and dogma: the great Indian poverty debate]A. Deaton (Princeton Univ.) and V.Kozel(World bank)</ref>. While there is a consensus on the fact that liberalization has led to a reduction of income poverty, the picture is not so clear if one considers other non-pecuniary dimensions (such as health, education, crime and access to infrastructure). With the rapid economic growth that India is experiencing, it is likely that a significant fraction of the rural population will continue to migrate toward cities, making the issue of urban poverty more significant in the long run <ref>[http://www.csh-delhi.com/events/downloads/BackgroundNote67102006.pdf The Multidimensions of Urban Poverty in India],Centre de Sciences Humaines - New Delhi</ref>. Economist [[Pravin Visaria]] has defended the validity of many of the statistics that demonstrated the reduction in overall poverty in India. He insisted that the 1999-2000 survey was well designed and supervised, and he further defended that just because the numbers did not appear to fit preconceived notions about poverty in India, they should not be dismissed outright<ref>[http://www.india-today.com/itoday/20010319/jairam.shtml Lifting The Poverty Veil] J. Ramesh, India Today</ref>. [[Nicholas Stern]], vice president of the [[World Bank]], has published defenses of the poverty reduction statistics. He argues that increasing globalization and investment opportunities have contributed significantly to the reduction of poverty in the country. India, has shown one of the clearest co-relation trends of globalization with the accelerated rise in per-capita income. <ref>[http://www1.worldbank.org/economicpolicy/globalization/documents/ICRIER_4.pdf Globalization, the Investment Climate, and Poverty Reduction, World Bank] ICRIER</ref> <ref>[http://www.apdip.net/projects/rhdr/rhdr-india.pdf Technology for Poverty Reduction] UNDP </ref> |
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The social infrastructure in India <ref>[http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2006/02/india_infrastru.html India, Infrastructure, and Resistance to Globalization]</ref> such as roads, power grid, water, communications infrastructure, housing and education are often below standards, and not catching up with the tune of its economic progress. <ref> [http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_05/b3918023.htm India: A Nation Of Dropouts] Business Week Magazine</ref> Continued poor infrastructure might serve as a bottleneck to further economic development. The government is, however, improving the infrastructure, such as expanding the [[Indian highways|freeway and highway system]] and bringing it up to global standards. As of 2005, India only had 4,885 km of central-divided expressways<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2004/02/04/stories/2004020402270300.htm 15,766 km. of expressway needed to ease traffic hold-ups] The Hindu. Retrieved 3 December 2006. </ref>, while the U.S. and China have 90,000 km and 41,000 km of expressways, respectively. <ref>[http://english.sina.com/china/1/2006/0404/71800.html Expressways being built at frenetic pace] Retrieved 3 December 2006.</ref> India's continual economic prosperity is also hindered by bad governance and ubiquitous red tape<ref>[http://www.bens.org/sw_ar030801.html India Has a Babu Dilemma]</ref> (‘Bureaucratic Raj'<ref>[http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=2053 India: a new economic powerhouse without government red tape]</ref>). Retrogressive government regulations affect many areas. For example, in some states, black outs and power rationing are common due to underinvestment, differing state and local regulations, etc. |
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Despite India's growth spurt of 8% p.a. in recent years, its sustainable pace is still much lower than China's, which puts its economy more at risk of overheating and rising inflation.<ref>[http://www.economist.com/finance/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8326793 India's economy - Too hot to handle] Economist, Nov 23rd 2006</ref> The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has acknowledged the risk of overheating and has been tightening monetary policy steadily. It is debatable whether this alone will be sufficient to ease inflationary pressures. The economy is running near or above capacity, and the RBI has noted that production must rise at a pace sufficient to match overall GDP growth if further inflationary pressures are to be avoided. The Indian government has said that much of the rise in inflation recently can be attributed to short-term supply constraints, such as a shortage of key foodstuffs thanks to an erratic summer monsoon. <ref>[http://www.economist.com/agenda/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8374809 India's blossoming economy] Economist Intelligence Unit Briefing</ref> |
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[[Image:KolkiwadiDam.jpg|thumb|250px|Dams like the [[Kolkewadi Dam]] have mitigated [[Electricity in India|India's power]] needs.]] |
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India heavily depends on foreign oil - a phenomenon likely to continue until non-fossil/renewable energy technology becomes economically viable in the country.<ref>[http://www.asia-studies.com/asia/Lowy/analysis/Hordern,%20Indias%20energy%20needs%20final%20rev%20v2.pdf India's energy needs] Lowy Institute</ref> To avert an energy crisis, India is desperately seeking alternate means of energy. India can sustain its growth to higher trajectories only by the co-operation of other countries. As for now, India is energetically expensive since India has to import over 70% of its energy,<ref>[http://www.ecoworld.com/Home/Articles2.cfm?TID=358 INDIA'S ENERGY FUTURE] Ecoworld</ref> thus making costs of comforts - like personal car or even air conditioning - extremely high. It is however, steadily combating its energy issues. Unless India finds a quick way to generate jobs, its population of unemployed youths could be a reason of unstability.<ref>[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/cd516aa8-749a-11db-bc76-0000779e2340.html Engaging India: Demographic dividend or disaster?] Financial Times</ref> India's growth in the services sector and [[Information Technology]] sector has not been matched by growth in manufacturing which can provide more jobs.<ref>[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/04/stories/2006020400320300.htm Manufacturing sector key to generating employment]</ref> Some claim that this sector may lose importance in the future. <ref>[http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/Comment/DickMorris/110906.html ''Look out world, here come's booming India'' by Dick Morris ] </ref> India is leveraging on new sectors like the KPO (Knowledge Process Outsourcing)<ref>[http://www.global-innovation.net/projects/grd/india/index.html The Role of Offshore R&D in Strengthening Competitive Advantage: Chances and Challenges in India]</ref> <ref>[http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=149681 Leveraging the knowledge advantage]</ref>. |
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India's health scenario is dismal with diseases and malnutrition constantly affecting the poorest quarter of the populace.<ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?template=health&id=47798&callid=1 Appalling Health Infrastucture]</ref> <ref>[http://www.iisc.ernet.in/currsci/mar102005/683.pdf Arsenic poisoning]</ref> <ref>[http://www.ispub.com/ostia/index.php?xmlFilePath=journals/ijtwm/vol2n2/india.xml Burden Of Disease In Rural India]</ref> Mortality is still relatively high and the bane of [[AIDS]] is spreading quickly.<ref>[http://www.avert.org/aidsindia.htm History of HIV/AIDS in India]</ref> According to a report of United Nations Development Programme, India has the [[List of countries by people living with HIV/AIDS|highest population living with AIDS/HIV]] and its economy might suffer a setback if it does not check the problem of the virus' spread. It is estimated that India's economic growth will decline by 0.86 percentage annually if the AIDS problem is not properly dealt with. To improve the situation, a number of projects such as the building of hospital chains (like the [[Apollo Hospitals]], amongst others) has laid the foundation for a health system that matches global standards. However, these hospitals are sometimes used by foreigners as a cheap yet effective source of health services and much remains to be done for India's very poor. |
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As per the 2001 India census, [[Literacy in India|India's national literacy]] is only 65.2 percent.<ref>[http://www1.uni-hamburg.de/UNESCO-UIE/literacyexchange/india/indiadata.htm Literacy Facts] University of Hamburg</ref> <ref>[http://www.censusindia.net/maps/literacy.html Literacy, Indian Census]</ref> Literacy drive is spreading slowly to other states.<ref>[http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2005/06/wu.htm The Quiet Revolution] IMF</ref> India's youth (age 15 to 24) literacy rate was 76.4% between 2000 and 2004.<ref>[http://earthtrends.wri.org/text/population-health/variable-499.html Population, Health and Human Well-being ]</ref> At current rates India will take no less than 20 years for a literacy of 95%.<ref>[http://www.newscientist.com/special/india/mg18524876.800 India special, New Scientist]</ref>. Literacy in India is not homogeneous, some states in India have more impressive literacy rates than others. [[Kerala]], a south-indian state widely recognized as the most well-educated state in India, recorded an impressive 90.92% literacy rate in 2001. <ref>[http://www.kerala.gov.in/education/status.htm Kerela literacy]</ref> On the other hand the north-indian state of [[Bihar]] lags behind with 47.53%.<ref>[http://gov.bih.nic.in/Profile/CensusStats-03.htm Literacy, Census Statistics]</ref> India's adult literacy rates (61.3% in 2002), is just a little better compared to other nations in South Asia except [[Sri Lanka]]'s 92%, <ref> ''Economic Survey 2004-05'', Economic Division, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, quoting UNDP Human Development Report 2004. </ref> with [[Nepal]] next at 44%, [[Pakistan]] at 41.5% and [[Bangladesh]] the lowest at 41.1%. |
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The majority of India lies in the [[tropical]] climate zone, which may have a negative impact on its agricultural and overall economic development. The climate thesis of economic development was first argued by [[Adam Smith]] and recently by [[David Landes]] in his ''The Wealth and Poverty of Nations''. Tropical areas generally average enough rainfall, but the timing is often irregular and unpredictable. The rain drops are large and the rate of fall often torrential. One answer to irregular moisture is storage and irrigation, but this is countered in these regions by incredibly high rates of evaporation. In the [[Agra]] region of India, for example, rainfall exceeds the needs of local agriculture for only two months in the year, and the excess held in the soil in those wet months dries up in only three weeks.<ref>[http://www2.wwnorton.com/catalog/spring99/wealthpoverty.htm The Wealth and Poverty of Nations] by David Landes, Chapter 1.</ref> Tropical zones are also more prone to endemic water-borne and parasitic diseases such as [[cholera]] and [[malaria]].<ref>[http://www.cid.harvard.edu/cidinthenews/articles/Sciam_0301_article.html The Geography of Poverty and Wealth] Harvard</ref> As a result of climate change, the [[Gangotri Glacier]], among others, is receding.<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/10/09/stories/2005100900130200.htm The Ganga could run dry ...]</ref> <ref>[http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NasaNews/2002/200205299370.html DECLINE OF WORLD'S GLACIERS]</ref> Also, of the 3 million premature deaths in the world that occur each year due to outdoor and indoor air pollution, the highest number are assessed to occur in India.<ref>[http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/indiaenv.html ''India's Environmental Issues''] EIA</ref> |
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India has a diverse mix of various [[religion]]s and [[ethnicity|races]]. The majority are [[Hindu]]s by religion, followed by [[Muslim]]s, [[Sikh]]s, [[Christian]]s, [[Jain]]s, [[Buddhist]]s, [[Bahaii]] and many more. Though most religions in India have been practising religious tolerance in their histories, the partition and subsequent terrorism had created some degree of uneasiness among some. The uneducated masses of these various groups sometimes get at odds with one another.<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week538/cover.html Hindu-Muslim Conflict in India]</ref> <ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/rt_india.htm RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE IN INDIA]</ref> <ref>[http://capmag.com/article.asp?ID=1511 "Diversity" In India] Capitalism magazine</ref> However in recent years, relations between the different religious groups have considerably changed for better. For instance, a real chunk of India's celebrities - sporting legends, film stars, industrialists, artists, politicians, scientists, head-of-state, etc - have come from various non-majority roots, representing the emerging face of new diverse India.<ref>[http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/2005/16-28feb05-Print-Edition/162802200544.htm Indian Muslim image is transforming] Milli Gazette</ref> |
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The problem of India's social divide is often linked to its millenia-old [[Indian caste system|caste system]].<ref>[http://www.ambedkar.org/News/hl/Castesystem.htm Caste system main barrier to India's IT superpower ambitions?] Express India</ref> In an attempt to eliminate the caste system, the Indian government has introduced special [[Reservations in India|quota]]s for low-caste Indians in educational institutions and jobs. The measure is with the motive of helping lower-caste Indians to pursue higher education and thereby elevate their standard of life. However, the system is often criticised about its effectiveness as so called creamy layer (rich among the lower caste) get non-needed advantage & leave other lower caste groups poor only.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4998274.stm Furore reflects India's caste complexities] BBC News</ref> <ref>[http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/4672.asp World Bank warning India] India Daily</ref> There also have been cases of reverse-discrimination and persecution of upper castes by lower castes <ref>[http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20050411&fname=Brahmins%20%28F%29&sid=2 'We Are Like The Jews: Politics apart, Brahmin-bashing is rampant in literary and cultural worlds too']</ref><ref>[http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/may/23franc.htm Are Brahmins the Dalits of Today?]</ref>. |
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== China == |
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!align="center" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" colspan="3"|'''[[People's Republic of China]]''' |
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|colspan="2" align="center"|[[Image:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg|center|200px]] |
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! style="background:#f0f0f0;" align="left" valign="top"| Economic superpower |
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!align="left" valign="top"|Political superpower |
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!align="left" valign="top"| Energy superpower |
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The '''[[People's Republic of China]]''' receives continual coverage in the popular press of its potential superpower status,<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/1999/china.50/asian.superpower/ Visions of China], CNN Specials, Accessed March 11, 2007</ref><ref> [http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/02/08/news/fighter.php China builds a superpower fighter], IHT, Accessed March 11, 2007</ref> and has been identified as a rising or emerging economic and military superpower by academics and other experts.<ref>[http://china.usc.edu/ShowArticle.aspx?articleID=848 US-China Institute :: news & features :: china as a global power<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.carnegieendowment.org/events/index.cfm?fa=eventDetail&id=851&&prog=zch www.carnegieendowment.org]</ref><ref>[http://www.getabstract.com/www/general/ShowAbstract.jsp?u=bridge2think&dataId=6584 www.getabstract.com]</ref><ref>[http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/awc/uckertmb.pdf www.au.af.mil]</ref> Professor Shujie Yao of [[Nottingham University]] has said "China will overtake the United States to become the world's largest economy by 2038 if current growth rates continue," and that China's GDP will overtake that of Japan by 2017 or 2018, and Germany's by 2008. Professor Yao thinks that "under an optimistic scenario," "China could become a real superpower in 30 years time."<ref>[http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/china-policy-institute/events/documents/Shujie_YAo_Inaugural_Lecture_Press_Release.pdf China to become world’s largest economy by 2038, Nottingham professor says], School of Contemporary Chinese Studies, [[University of Nottingham]]</ref> Though in late [[2007]], China's economic power 'shrank' when the [[World Bank]] reported that they had overestimated China's economy by about 40%. Although the finding was based on a PPP estimation of the Chinese GDP, which the above estimations do not depend on.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7148695.stm China's economic muscle 'shrinks'] [[BBC News]] 17 December 2007</ref> |
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Geoffrey Murphay's ''China: The Next Superpower'' argues that while the potential for China is high, this is fairly perceived only by looking at the risks and obstacles China faces in managing its population and resources. The political situation in China is too fragile to survive into superpower status according to [[Susan Shirk]] in ''China: Fragile Superpower''.<ref>[http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/Politics/ComparativePolitics/China/?view=usa&ci=9780195306095 China: Fragile Superpower, ''Description''], Oxford University Press, Accessed March 11, 2007</ref> Other factors that could constrain China's ability to become a superpower in the future include: limited supplies of energy and raw materials, questions over its innovation capability, inequality and corruption, and risks to social stability and the environment.<ref>[http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/china-policy-institute/events/documents/Shujie_YAo_Inaugural_Lecture_Press_Release.pdf www.nottingham.ac.uk]</ref> |
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=== Factors === |
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[[Image:Prc1952-2005gdp.gif|thumb|right|China's nominal [[GDP]] trend from 1952 to 2005. As the graph demonstrates, GDP growth began to accelerate after the end of the [[Cultural Revolution]], around the time the first farm privatisations took place, when China implemented market-based (capitalist) economic reforms after 1978. Maoist China never experienced a high GDP rate.]] |
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[[Image:UNSC 2007.png|thumb|The [[UN Security Council]] as of 2007, showing the five <font color="#374EA2">permanent members</font> (including China) who have veto powers and the <font color="339933">elected members</font> who do not.]] |
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The People's Republic of China covers a total area of approximately 9.6 millions km² <ref>Both [[Aksai Chin|disputed]] and [http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/DYB2003/Table03.pdf undisputed] regions under PRC's effective administration</ref><ref>According to the ''CIA - The World Factbook'', China has an area of "9,596,960 sq km - slightly smaller than the US".[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ch.html#Geo CIA - The World Factbook]</ref> which is the [[List of countries and outlying territories by total area| third or fourth largest]] in the world. <ref>Covering a total land area of 9,326,410 km², [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ch.html#Geo CIA - The World Factbook]</ref> China's land possesses vast wealths of valuable [[natural resources]] such as [[coal]], [[petroleum|oil]], and [[mineral]]s <ref>China Internet Information Center [http://www.china.org.cn/english/shuzi-en/en-shuzi/gq/htm/zrzy-kc.htm National Conditions: Mineral Resources]</ref> <ref>Encyclopædia Britannica [http://www.britannica.com/ebi/article-195616 China's natural resources]</ref>. In view of PRC's extensive river network and mountainous terrain, there is ample potential for the production of [[hydroelectric power]] <ref>Encyclopædia Britannica [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-70997 China's hydroelectric resources]</ref> <ref>Alexander's Gas and Oil Connections [http://www.gasandoil.com/goc/news/nts54576.htm China has huge potential in hydroelectric generation]</ref>. Most areas of China enjoy a [[temperate]] climate and China has one of the world's largest land masses within the temperate zone. According to a report by [[Jeffrey Sachs]], nations in temperate climate zones generally have higher agricultural productivity and face lower rates of infectious diseases than [[tropical]] regions (particularly endemic water-borne and parasitic diseases). Moderate advantages in geography can lead to big differences in long-term economic performance through the development of innovation from excess labor productivity. Sachs believes this climate makes most economies in this region high-income, but categorizes China, Russia and much of Eastern Europe as middle-income economies because of their [[socialism|socialist]] past.<ref>[http://www.cid.harvard.edu/cidinthenews/articles/Sciam_0301_article.html The Geography of Poverty and Wealth], Scientific American</ref> "Geography as destiny" and the benefits of a temperate climate toward economic development were first proposed by [[Adam Smith]] and recently by [[David Landes]] in his ''The Wealth and Poverty of Nations''. <ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/l/landes-wealth.html The Wealth and Poverty of Nations] Chapter 1</ref> |
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[[Demographics of mainland China|China's population]] is the world's largest, with about 1.3 billion citizens <ref>CIA - [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ch.html#People The World Factbook]</ref>. With the global human population currently estimated at about 6.5 billion, China is home to approximately 20%. China's controversial [[One-Child Policy]] has enabled families to devote more resources to their offspring and has been beneficial in terms of curbing population growth, aiding economic growth, and improving the health and welfare of women and children. <ref>[http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/314/7095/1685?ijkey=f0fed3b84812574c32644cb15fb04a7a550d54cb&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha Health in China: The one child family policy: the good, the bad, and the ugly]</ref> The youth (ages 15-24) literacy rate in China today stands at 20.9% with near gender parity.<ref>Economic Survey 2004-05, Economic Division, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, quoting UNDP Human Development Report 2004.</ref> However, some believe population control may eventually have a detrimental effect on mainland China's aging demographics (see factors against section). |
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The 2.25-million-strong [[People's Liberation Army]] makes it the [[List of countries by number of active troops|largest military in the world]], in terms of sheer number of troops (13.25 million if the [[People's Armed Police]] and the [[Militia]] are included <ref>[http://usacac.army.mil/CAC/milreview/download/English/SEPOCT05/blasko.pdf ''Chinese Army Modernization: An Overview''], by Lieutenant Colonel Dennis J. Blasko</ref><ref>[http://english.gov.cn/2005-09/02/content_28491.htm The Components of the Armed Forces], by PRC Government's Official Web Portal</ref>). However, the PLA is behind advanced Western militaries in many areas. Recognizing this fact, the PRC is undergoing a massive effort to improve and modernize its military technology, equipment, and power projection capabilities. As part of its overall program of naval modernization, the Chinese [[People's Liberation Army Navy]] has a long-term plan of developing a [[blue water navy]]. <ref>US Department of Defense [http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jul2005/d20050719china.pdf The Military Power of the People's Republic of China]</ref> - all fueled by a rapidly growing defense budget. <ref>BBC [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4773358.stm China's military budget jumps 14%]</ref> |
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[[Image:PRCFounding.jpg|thumb|left|[[Mao Zedong]] proclaiming the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949.]] |
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As one of the five permanent members of the [[United Nations Security Council]] with [[United Nations Security Council veto power|veto power]], the PRC possesses influence in world politics. The PRC is gradually increasing its influence in areas which are traditionally dominated by the influence of Western countries. This is in part due to the PRC's non-ideological approach to foreign affairs and offer of no-strings-attached assistance, which thus presents an alternative for seeking foreign aid and potential allies. Its ties with these countries have become closer driven by strengthening economic bond through trade and strategic investment, and to a much lesser extent, military cooperation <ref>The Jamestown Foundation [http://www.jamestown.org/publications_details.php?volume_id=408&issue_id=3280&article_id=2369493 China's Global Strategy For Energy, Security and Diplomacy]</ref><ref>New York Times [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/18/world/asia/18china.html China Competes With West in Aid to Its Neighbors]</ref>. |
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[[Image:prcflagphogel.jpg|thumb|left|Flag of the People's Republic before a modernizing [[Shanghai]].]] |
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Mainland China is [[Japan]]'s, [[South Korea]]'s and [[Republic of China|Taiwan]]'s largest trading partner.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40192-2005Jan26.html China Passes U.S. In Trade With Japan]</ref><ref>[http://www.ifans.go.kr/ICSFiles/afieldfile/2005/07/05/policybrief05_3.pdf Trade Policy Outlook for Second-term Bush Administration] </ref><ref>[http://www.econstrat.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=59 CHINA - TAIWAN ECONOMIC TIES]</ref> Growing trade and investment have given the PRC a greater politico-economic leverage over [[Mongolia]].<ref>The Jamestown Foundation [http://www.jamestown.org/publications_details.php?volume_id=408&issue_id=3322&article_id=2369703 BEIJING'S GROWING POLITICO-ECONOMIC LEVERAGE OVER ULAANBAATAR]</ref> The PRC also has a considerable influence in the military, economy, and politics of [[North Korea]].<ref>Taipei Times [http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2006/03/18/2003297998 Beijing outpaces Seoul with North Korean influence]</ref> As the Chinese economy grows, a major priority is securing natural resources to keep pace with demand. China has made energy trading deals with Central Asian nations. In addition to trade ties, the PRC has contributed aid and funding to the region's countries.<ref>Japan Focus Article [http://japanfocus.org/article.asp?id=420 The Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Institutionalization, Cooperation and Rivalry]</ref> The [[Shanghai Cooperation Organization]], of which the PRC is a founding member, is also becoming increasingly important in Central Asian security and politics. Some observers believe the PRC is primarily concerned with securing its borders as it emerges as a world power.<ref>YaleGlobal Online [http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=4930 Central Asia: China's Mounting Influence]</ref> The [[Middle East]] is a strategically important region as it not only possesses vast [[oil reserves]], but large portions of its population are opposed to the [[United States]], the world's only superpower. China has sought out these oil reserves and has also provided security deals to Middle Eastern nations in the face of global condemnation of Middle Eastern [[terrorism]]. China's fast economic growth also means that China is consuming more [[energy]]. China is now the second largest consumer of [[petroleum]] products in the world after the United States. The PRC has recently been trying to secure and diversify sources of its energy ([[oil]] and [[gas]]) supplies from around the world. The [[Middle East]]ern region, which contains the world's largest proven oil reserve, has been the focus of that policy. Roughly half of China's imported oil comes from the [[Middle East]]. At the same time, these energy-producing Middle Eastern nations are keen to diversify their customer base away from overdependence on the [[Western world|Western]] market ([[Europe]] and [[North America]]) as a demand source and so they have begun to look at other rapidly growing markets such as China. In addition to the deepening bilateral relationship in the trade and energy sectors, the PRC has an expanding body of other strategic interests in the greater Middle East region. This is manifested in its security relationships with [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Pakistan]], and [[Iran]], which entail [[Weapons of mass destruction|WMD]] and [[ballistic missile|ballistic missile cooperation]]. These include contentious arms deals which included providing [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Iran]] with weapons which could not only harass oil tankers and American [[aircraft carrier]]s, but also carry [[nuclear weapons|nuclear warheads]]. There are concerns that nothing is being done to stop these arms from falling into [[terrorist]] hands. <ref>[http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/0607-03.htm Nuclear Threat has World on Edge]</ref> In fact, some of the weapons being used in [[Iraq]] by the growing [[insurgency]] there are based on Chinese designs.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/11/11/wirq11.xml Daily Telegraph] ''Iraqi terrorists 'are being supplied with arms smuggled from Iran''</ref>.As one of the only sources of such technology to the region, China has placed itself in a strong position to further exert influence on Middle Eastern nations.<ref>[http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-02o.html Experts Fret Over Chinese role in Weapons Proliferation] Space Daily</ref> Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Pakistan are pivotal states in the region. They are somewhat likely to view the PRC in coming years as an alternate source of security and as a counterbalance to American power <ref> The Washington Institute for Near East Policy [http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=1776 China and Oil: The Middle East Dimension]</ref> <ref>MERIA [http://meria.idc.ac.il/journal/2005/issue3/jv9no3a6.html China'S WMD Foot In The Greater Middle East's Door]</ref> <ref> Asia Times [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/HC14Ad01.html China stakes its Middle East claim]</ref>. While China runs a [[trade deficit]] with India, it has [[trade surplus]]es with other [[South Asia]]n economies (including [[Bangladesh]], [[Nepal]], [[Sri Lanka]] and [[Pakistan]]). It has conducted large arms deals with [[Pakistan]]. After the [[United States]]'s nuclear deal with [[India]], the PRC controversially offered Pakistan and Bangladesh [[nuclear power plants]]. To maintain relations with India, the PRC has decided to lay down its claims to the Indian state of [[Sikkim]], although this political stance of appeasement is detrimental to China's power. The PRC has also contributed to the improvement of the development sector of all South Asian economies apart from India <ref name=Jamestown>[http://www.jamestown.org/publications_details.php?volume_id=408&issue_id=3311&article_id=2369717 China's March on South Asia], by Tarique Niazi, ''China Brief'', [[the Jamestown Foundation]]</ref>. China's investment in the said economies has gained a strategic foothold and build a diplomatic profile in the region, having transformed the region from India's purported "near abroad" into China's own backyard <ref name="Jamestown"/>. Some of the PRC's geopolitical ambitions focus on Southeast Asia, where the PRC is intent upon establishing a preeminent [[sphere of influence]]. The PRC has pursued this ambition with a diplomatic campaign designed to increase its influence politically and economically. In November 2006, the PRC conducted several agreements with Southeast Asian countries to increase free trade, cultural ties, military and security cooperations, and solutions to settle the disputes regarding the ownership of the Spratley Isles. The talks also discussed a possibility to form a political, economic, and security bloc between the PRC and the [[ASEAN]] in the near future. <ref>USCC [http://www.uscc.gov/hearings/2005hearings/written_testimonies/05_07_21_22wrts/ott_marvin_wrts.pdf China's Strategic Reach Into Southeast Asia]</ref> <ref>Los Angeles Times [http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-marshall17jun17,0,3144928.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions Southeast Asia's new best friend]</ref> <ref>Japan Focus Article [http://japanfocus.org/article.asp?id=414 China’s Rise in Southeast Asia: Implications for Japan and the United States]</ref> Since the 1960s and 70s the PRC has set out to improve relations with Africa. The PRC's interest centered on building ideological solidarity with other underdeveloped nations to advance [[communism]] and on repelling so called, Western "[[imperialism]]". Following the [[Cold War]], the PRC's interests evolved into more pragmatic pursuits such as trade, investment, and energy <ref>The Heritage Foundation [http://www.heritage.org/Research/AsiaandthePacific/bg1916.cfm China's Influence in Africa: Implications for the United States]</ref>. In November 2006, China hosted the heads of states of 48 African countries in Beijing's [[Forum on China-Africa Cooperation]] Summit to strengthen its economic and political influence in the continent. <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6115870.stm China to double its aid to Africa] BBC News, 4 November 2006.</ref> African leaders now regularly cite China as the ideal development model for their countries.<ref name="IHT">[http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/11/01/opinion/edecon.php The perils of Beijing's Africa strategy], International Herald Tribune</ref> Recent years have seen the PRC's growing economic and political influence in [[South America]] and the Caribbean. During a visit to [[Brazil]], [[Argentina]], [[Chile]], and [[Cuba]] in November 2004, PRC President [[Hu Jintao]] announced US$100 billion worth of investment over the next decade <ref>The Heritage Foundation [http://www.heritage.org/Research/TradeandForeignAid/tst040605a.cfm China's Influence in the Western Hemisphere]</ref> <ref>CNSnews.com [http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=\\ForeignBureaus\\archive\\200504\\FOR20050408a.html/ China Moving to Replace US Influence in Latin America]</ref> <ref>Columbia Daily Tribune [http://www.showmenews.com/2005/Feb/20050220News014.asp Caribbean sees China acquire more influence]</ref>. For instance, Cuba is turning to Chinese companies rather than Western ones to modernize its crippled transportation system at a cost of more than US$1 billion, continuing a trend of favoring the fellow communist country that has made China Cuba's second-largest trading partner after [[Venezuela]] in 2005 <ref>United Transportation Union [http://www.utu.org/worksite/detail_news.cfm?ArticleID=26869 Cuba turns to China for transpo needs]</ref>. In addition, The PRC is expanding its military-to-military contacts in the region. The PRC is training increasing numbers of Latin American military personnel, taking advantage of a three-year old U.S. law that has led to a sharp decline in U.S.-run training programs for the region <ref>GlobalSecurity.org [http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/china/2006/china-060315-voa01.htm China Increasing Military Ties in Latin America as Law Restricts US Military]</ref>. |
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[[Economy of the People's Republic of China|China's GDP]] has grown at a rate of at least 10% per year for more than 25 years (although recently the government has sought to slow this growth to curtail overheating and waste), one of the fastest growth rates for a major economy in recorded history <ref>MSNBC Newsweek [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7693580/site/newsweek/ Does the Future Belong to China?]</ref>. In 2005, China became the fourth largest economy in the world in terms of market exchange value <ref>New York Times [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/25/business/worldbusiness/25cnd-yuan.html?ex=1295845200&en=e9ea82eb078fc30d&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss Chinese Economy Grows to 4th Largest in the World]</ref> and the second largest when measured by purchasing power parity, with a GDP (PPP) of US$8.8 trillion in 2006. In the same period of time, it has moved 300 million people out of poverty and raised the average Chinese person's income by a factor of 8. <ref>Center for International Comparisons at the University of Pennsylvania [http://pwt.econ.upenn.edu/php_site/pwt61_form.php Penn World Table]</ref> <ref>CIA - [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ch.html The World Fact Book]</ref>. China’s population is so large and its economy growing so quickly that the Chinese are set to take over second place in the league table of the world’s wealthy people in the next decade, second only to the United States.<ref>[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/77f9bd70-86fc-11db-9ad5-0000779e2340.html Chinese to climb ranks of world’s richest] Financial Times</ref> |
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[[Image:Jingshen Expwy Jul2004.jpg|thumb|right|G025 ([[Jingshen Expressway]]). China has the world's second longest length of expressways, after the United States.]] |
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[[Image:Chunxilu.jpeg|thumb|right|The Chunxi Road in Chengdu]] |
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China has many cities with large populations; 170 cities have a population of over one million people.<ref> Panorama of Chinese Cities http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=401687 </ref> Most of them are encircled with expressways (for example, the [[Ring Roads of Beijing]]).<ref>People's Daily Online [http://english.people.com.cn/200112/16/eng20011216_86815.shtml China's Longest Expressway Encircling City Operational]</ref> These metropolises are national or regional centers of industrial, financial, and cultural activities. [[Shanghai]], China's largest city, is an important financial center in Asia and has the [[world's busiest port]].<ref>TIMEasia [http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/501040927/story.html Shanghai Swings!]</ref> China's international trade grew at an annual average rate of 29.5% in the last four years <ref>The US-China Business Council [http://www.uschina.org/statistics/tradetable.html US-China Trade Statistics and China's World Trade Statistics]</ref>. China’s export share is 7.3% and import share is 6.3% in world trade in 2005 <ref> CIA -[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/2078rank.html The World Factbook]</ref> <ref>CIA - [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/2087rank.html The World Factbook]</ref>. China is currently the world's third largest trading power (after the United States and Germany) <ref>CNN News - [http://www.cnn.com/2005/BUSINESS/11/23/wto.germany.role/index.html World's Top Traders]</ref> <ref> US Department of State [http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rls/rm/2005/q2/44375.htm China's Influence in the Western Hemisphere]</ref>. The PRC government also put great efforts to push for exporting medical supplies and software. China's [[foreign exchange reserves]] reached $1 trillion (October 2006), becoming the largest in the world <ref>BBC News [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6120906.stm China reserves reach $1 trillion]</ref>. China's infrastructure has radically improved in last two decades. The total [[Expressways of China|expressway]] length was about 41,000 kilometers at the end of 2005, the world's second longest only after the United States. <ref>SkyscraperCity.com [http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=232957&page=1&pp=20 Pictures of Expressways in China]</ref> <ref>CHINAGATE [http://www.chinagate.com.cn/english/45626.htm Expressways Being Built at Frenetic Pace]</ref> Several thousands of kilometers of new expressways are added to form the nationwide expressway network every year <ref>CHINAGATE [http://www.chinagate.com.cn/english/45626.htm Expressways Being Built at Frenetic Pace]</ref>. China has the [[Shanghai Transrapid|world's first commercially operational]] [[maglev train]] and also has plans to build several other [[High speed train|high speed train railways]], including the 1300-kilometer [[Beijing-Shanghai Express Railway]] and the [[Shanghai-Hangzhou Maglev Train]]. China is home of many of the [[world's busiest port]]s. Communication infrastructure in China has also rapidly risen in the last decade, and today China has more main telephone lines and mobile cellular telephones than any other economy <ref>CIA - [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/2150rank.html The World Factbook]</ref> <ref>CIA - [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/2151rank.html The World Factbook]</ref>. As of 2005, there are more than 459 million [[cellphone]] subscribers in China and China is currently second only to the United States in [[Internet in the People's Republic of China#Development|number of internet users]]. Currently, China's infrastructure leads significantly when compared to that of [[Emerging Superpowers—India|India]], which is also considered as a potential superpower.<ref>Deloitte Report [http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/cda/doc/content/DTT_DR_ChinaIndiaRealityBeyondtheHype_052006.pdf China and India: The Reality Beyond the Hype]</ref> <ref>The Globalist [http://www.theglobalist.com/printStoryId.aspx?StoryId=4226 Dateline India: From Mumbai to Pune]</ref> <ref>Rediff.com [http://in.rediff.com/money/2005/sep/27china.htm India is China's economic equal? Bah!]</ref>. China is the world's second biggest spender on [[research and development]], and is expected to invest over $136 billion in 2006 after growing more than 20% in 2005.<ref>[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/da4ed9f2-82fa-11db-a38a-0000779e2340.html "China overtakes Japan on R&D"] ''Financial Times''. Accessed 3 December 2006.</ref> China currently has an estimated 926,000 researchers, second in number only to the 1.3 million in the United States.<ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8LQ0OI00.htm OECD: China to spend $136 billion on R&D] ''BusinessWeek''. Retrieved 3 December 2006.</ref> R&D spending by the PRC government has more than tripled since 1998. Moreover, the numbers of the scientific research paper doubled in the same period. According to experts, China might produce more engineering doctorates than the U.S. in 2010. Many foreign companies are setting up R&D centres in China due to official government support and to tap lower-cost Chinese talents. <ref>BusinessWeek [http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_34/b3948500.htm A New Lab Partner For The U.S.?]</ref>. |
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[[Space technology]] The PRC launched its first satellite [[Dong Fang Hong I]] to Earth orbit on its own [[Long March rocket]] in 1970, becoming the fifth nation to achieve independent launch capability. The PRC also became the third country (after the former Soviet Union and the USA) to send humans into space on its own in 2003. The PRC has said that it plans to launch its own [[space station]] and to send a manned mission to the moon by 2020. <ref>Space Today [http://www.spacetoday.org/China/ChinaTaikonauts.html China's Astronauts]</ref> |
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China has an extensive historical [[Culture of China|culture]] and [[Chinese philosophy|philosophy]]. Chinese novelist [[Gao Xingjian]] won Chinese first [[Nobel Prize for Literature]] in 2000, and the Chinese-language film ''[[Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon]]'' became the highest grossing non-English film. Many Chinese actors such as [[Jackie Chan]] and [[Jet Li]] have gained international recognition. [[Jackie Chan]] in particular has come in the spotlight for his performance in English language films such as ''[[Rush Hour]]'', ''[[The Tuxedo]]'' and ''[[Shanghai Noon]]''. [[Yao Ming]], who plays in the U.S. [[National Basketball Association]]'s [[Houston Rockets]], has rapidly advanced in fame, and the PRC is set to host the [[2008 Summer Olympics]]. The enrollment of foreign students in mainland China has tripled to 110,000 from 36,000 over the past decade <ref>Harvard University [http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/ksgnews/Features/opeds/122905_nye.htm The Rise of China's Soft Power]</ref>, and the number of foreign tourists has also increased to 41.8 million in 2004 <ref>[http://www.world-tourism.org/facts/eng/pdf/indicators/Top25_ita.pdf World's Top Tourism Destinations]</ref> <ref>[http://www.world-tourism.org/newsroom/Releases/2005/May/asian.htm Asian destinations on the rise in world tourism ranking]</ref>. The PRC has created 26 [[Confucius Institute]]s around the world to teach its language and culture, and while the [[Voice of America]] was cutting its Chinese broadcasts to 14 from 19 hours a day, [[China Radio International]] was increasing its broadcasts in English to 24 hours a day <ref>Harvard University [http://bcsia.ksg.harvard.edu/publication.cfm?program=CORE&ctype=article&item_id=1350 The Rise of China's Soft Power]</ref>. |
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[[Image:Forbidden city 07.jpg|thumb|280px|left|The [[Hall of Supreme Harmony]] in the [[Forbidden City]], a symbol of Imperial Chinese power and prosperity.]] |
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China has a long history spanning many thousands of years and stood as a leading [[civilization]] in [[Asia]]. Many Asian countries were a part of the century-old [[List of tributaries of Imperial China|Chinese tributary system]]. China strongly influenced its neighbors in [[politics]], [[Chinese art|arts]], [[Chinese philosophy|philosophy]], [[religion]], and [[Culture of China|culture]] until the rise of the Western powers and [[Imperial Japan]].<ref>CIA - [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ch.html The World Factbook]</ref> <ref>John K. Fairbank, ''China: A New History'', Harvard University Press, ISBN 0-674-11670-4, p2</ref> <ref>Paul S. Ropp (ed.), ''Heritage of China'', University of California Press, ISBN 0-520-06440-2, p235</ref>. The PRC government has always put strong emphasis on developing a strong primary educational system. China has over a 90% literacy rate according to 2002 statistics.<ref>CIA [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ch.html The World Factbook]</ref> China's youth (age 15 to 24) literacy rate is 98.9% (99.2% for males and 98.5% for females) in 2000.<ref>[http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/file_download.php/b44872c5f2dfd9c825236194562a2b7fRoss_China.doc WHERE AND WHO ARE THE WORLD’S ILLITERATES: CHINA]</ref> The PRC has also put science and technology as priorities in its education.<ref>BBC News [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/crossing_continents/5194192.stm China's race for 'frontier' science]</ref> Such emphasis may explain the performance of mainland Chinese high school students in the mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology areas of the [[International science olympiad]].<ref>The International Mathematical Olympiad [http://imo2006.dmfa.si IMO]</ref> <ref>The International Chemistry Olympiad [http://olympiads.win.tue.nl/icho IChO]</ref> <ref>The International Physics Olympiad [http://www.ipho2006.org IPhO]</ref> <ref>The International Biology Olympiad [http://www.ibo-info.org IBO]</ref> |
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Another important factor is the strong and economically influential [[Overseas Chinese]] around the world, especially in Southeast Asian countries like [[Malaysia]], [[Singapore]], [[Indonesia]], [[Thailand]], and throughout the [[United States]] and the Western world <ref>Asia Times [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/DL10Ad04.html Overseas Chinese: How powerful are they?]</ref> <ref>Finnish Virtual Polytechnic [https://www.virtuaaliamk.fi/opintokokonaisuudet/55itmQ0rB/1080816489346/1107280087252/1107280151840/1107280213930.html.stx Overseas Chinese influence in Asian business world]</ref>. There are more than 60 million overseas Chinese spread throughout the world. The overseas Chinese have a [[GDP]] equivalent to about US$1.1 trillion, or one of the top 10 world economies if combined and are a large economic contributor to China's growing economy. <ref>[http://www.morganstanley.com/views/gef/archive/2006/20060222-Wed.html Where Has the Premium Gone?] Eric Chaney (London), Morgan Stanley, Feb 22, 2006. Retrieved: December 28, 2006.</ref> Some of these overseas Chinese (particularly older emmigrants from China) preserve their cultural identity and form communities in the host nations known as "[[Chinatown]]s", which help to raise awareness of Chinese culture in those foreign countries. [[Chinese culture]] also strongly influences and forms the basis of the regional cultures of [[East Asia]]. East Asian countries adopted much of the Chinese essence in [[philosophy]], [[language]], and ancient [[technology]]. An example is [[Confucianism]] - a philosophical thought originated from China - which holds a great influence on not only the Chinese but also the Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese, and other East Asians.<ref>[http://kfz.freehostingguru.com/ Confucius and Confucianism]</ref> |
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=== Problems === |
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PRC's military capabilities (technology and power projection) are still small compared to that of the United States (and the [[European Union]] as a unit). The PRC has little confirmed force projection capabilities and lacks vital components of a blue water navy and a long range air force. For example, in terms of operational land-based [[ICBM]] systems, the USA possesses the second most lethal strategic capability after [[Russia]], which includes a more reliable arsenal and a massive numerical edge in ICBMs over the PRC. In space technology, the PRC is currently lagging behind the level of development of the United States and Russia, though that in part can be attributed to a late start. |
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Two major factors contribute to PRC's late remodernization campaign. For one, PRC's previous long-term dependence on Soviet-era military technology has produced a significant lag of indigenously produced hardware. It was not up until the 1960s [[Sino-Soviet split]] that the PRC was forced to rely on their own scientists, rather than Soviet engineers to help modernize PRC's military technology. Furthermore, the surge of violence and bloodshed against intellectuals during the [[Cultural Revolution]] during this time period, resulted in a shortage of trained and skilled engineers and military leaders to tackle the task of rebuilding PRC's military. These two factors combined help explain why PRC military hardware is currently not up to par with Western armies.<ref>EVAN A. FEIGENBAUM, "China's Military-Civilian Complex," New York Times, May 22, 1998</ref> |
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Malaysian strategic thinker Bunn Nagara has claimed that "The Chinese armed forces are technologically backward, compared even to the Russians -- which in turn are backward compared to NATO", while Sakanaka Tomohisa calls the "so-called Chinese military threat more psychological than real-world". <ref>[http://www.pathfinder.com/asiaweek/97/0801/cs4.html Planes, Subs and Destroyers]</ref> |
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[[Image:Taiwan Strait.png|thumb|left|180px|The [[Taiwan Strait]] has been the theatre for several military confrontations between the PRC and the [[Republic of China]] since the last days of the [[Chinese Civil War]] in [[1949]] when the [[Kuomintang]] forces led by [[Chiang Kai-shek]] retreated across the Strait and relocated its government on [[Taiwan]].]] |
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The PRC has had difficult relationships with many world powers. A major ongoing dispute is the [[political status of Taiwan|issue of Taiwan]]. The PRC has threatened to use force to impose [[Chinese reunification|reunification with the Republic of China (ROC)]] and to thwart any declaration of [[Taiwan independence|Taiwanese independence]]. Most countries in the world maintain diplomatic relations with the PRC and are obligated to follow its [[One China policy]], but the United States is obliged by the [[Taiwan Relations Act]] to help defend Taiwan should there be any invasion from the mainland. Therefore, a military conflict in the [[Taiwan Strait]] could lead to a confrontation between the People’s Republic and the United States, which could be devastating to both sides. Additionally, the United States is still suspicious of China's international ambition. <ref>The Age [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/beware-red-democrats-under-our-beds/2006/03/04/1141191889634.html Beware red democrats under our beds].</ref> PRC's relations with India, its large southern neighbour sharing a long and contentious border, are far from friendly. Apart from border disputes, the erstwhile ruler of Tibet was granted asylum in India, increasing tensions between these nations that led to the [[Sino-Indian War]] in [[1962]]. The PRC's nuclear capabilities and its close military ties with India's main enemy, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, forced India to seek its own nuclear umbrella, although both India and the PRC have declared a '[[No first use]]' policy. |
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Access to information is believed by some to be the key to the development of science and technological ideas<ref>The Information Warfare Site (U.S. Dept. of State) [http://www.iwar.org.uk/news-archive/2003/11-06-7.htm Information Technologies Critical to Achieving Development Goals]</ref> and PRC control over information may therefore hamper its growth in these areas. The PRC already places less strict control over the media in mainland China - an example being the growth of the Internet and the spread of increasingly commercially-driven media.<ref>Center for the Study of Intelligence (CIA) [https://www.cia.gov/csi/monograph/425050797/1.htm The Chinese Media: More Autonomous and Diverse--Within Limits]</ref> However, there are certain limits to such liberalization.<ref>The Christian Science Monitor [http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0826/p01s04-woap.html Chinese media resisting party control]</ref> For instance, censors are still blocking access to certain websites deemed "inappropriate" (e.g. politically sensitive, pornographic sites, etc.), including Wikipedia. <ref>Harvard Law School [http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/filtering/china/ Empirical Analysis of Internet Filtering in China]</ref> |
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Some of PRC's allies, particularly African and Latin American nations, are politically and/or economically unstable, which could lead to unexpected twists in foreign relations.The idea that the PRC supplied the technology for additional nuclear power to [[Pakistan]] could make its relationships with nations like [[India]], the [[United States]] and the [[United Kingdom]] more difficult. <ref name="Jamestown"/> <ref>Pakistan Times [http://pakistantimes.net/national030190604.htm Pakistan demands equality of treatment by US in N-area]</ref> <ref>MERIA [http://meria.idc.ac.il/journal/2005/issue3/jv9no3a6.html China's WMD Foot In The Greater Middle East's Door]</ref> PRC's "neutral" foreign policy acknowledges the right of every state to its own political system, with economic investment being beneficial to any foreign state regardless of internal affairs. Other countries have continually asserted the need for certain universal values and ideals, such as [[Liberal democracy|democracy]] and [[human rights]]. PRC's disregard for these considerations has led to criticism that its actions have the effect of sheltering repressive states such as [[Zimbabwe]] and blocking effective action on [[genocide]] in [[Sudan]].<ref>The Washington Post [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/12/AR2006061201506_pf.html In Africa, China Trade Brings Growth, Unease]</ref><ref name="IHT"/>.This has contributed to a growing backlash and simmering grassroots resentment against China in African countries<ref name="IHT"/>. |
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There has been a national debate about judicial independence in mainland China's closed political system. In mainland China, the government, not a court, is the final arbiter of law. Mainland China's court system is far from an independent entity that can curb government power. Instead, the courts often remain a pliable tool to reinforce that power (for instance, court rulings that favor state interests). Many judges are poorly educated in the law and are corrupt. Judges often must answer to government officials as much as to the law. Political pressure is common, and private trial committees often dictate rulings. Although there are signs of change, such as the emerging civic belief that ordinary people have "legal rights", such changes continue to meet enormous resistance within the system <ref>The New York Times [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/28/international/asia/28judge.html?ex=1290834000&en=ace85e8658820210&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss A Judge Tests China's Courts, Making History]</ref> <ref>BBC News [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3492850.stm China's parliament to debate rule of law]</ref>. |
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[[Image:Tianasquare.jpg|right|thumb|350px|[[Tank Man|The Unknown Rebel]] - This famous photo, taken on 5 June 1989 by photographer [[Jeff Widener]], depicts a lone protester whose actions halted a column of advancing tanks until he was pulled into the crowd. Both intellectuals and labour activists have had a turbulent history of protests, sometimes violent, in the PRC.]] |
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Western governments, human rights organizations, and groups within China have often criticized the PRC on its human rights record in mainland China and often use this issue to shape policies towards the PRC. For example, the US justifies continued resistance to lift its arms embargo against China, as well as that of the EU, based upon the issue of human rights. One prominent case of accusations of human rights violations comes from the [[Falun Gong]] movement, which claims that the PRC government persecutes its members in mainland China and campaigns outside of mainland China for an end to this. The government of the People's Republic sees Falun Gong an anti-national cult. These claims are not supported by the United States congress, who passed a resolution<ref> U.S. Congress (July 24, 2002) [http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:hc188: "H.CON.RES.188 for the 107th Congress (2nd Session)"], ''Library of Congress'', retrieved July 31, 2006</ref> declaring Falun Gong to be a peaceful religion, and that the Ziang regime has created a notorious government, with '610' offices throughout the People's Republic of China with the special task of overseeing the persecution of Falun Gong members through organized brainwashing, torture, and murder. The CPC is engaging in suppressing information on the sect <ref>[http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB113336713785810276-K53UQtoo_FTjVqTDNsAnCNeoVyI_20061201.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top Rise in Non-English Spam Challenges Junk Mail Filters], by VAUHINI VARA</ref> <ref>[http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,54789,00.html China Dissidents Thwarted on Net], by [[Associated Press]]</ref>, including suppression of wikipedia (see [[History of Wikipedia]]). On the other side, several Falun Gong sympathetic media have criticized the CPC <ref>[http://ninecommentaries.com Nine Commentaries on the Community Party], by the [[Epoch Times]]</ref>, and rejected their authority, suggesting that some prospect for political civil disobedience<!--became dead link[http://english.epochtimes.com/news/6-1-16/37007.htm]-->. There has also been unrest in the [[Tibet|Tibetan Plateau]] in the past, with calls for [[Tibetan sovereignty debate|Tibetan independence]] still a controversial issue.<ref>''Dateline'' SBS, 12 July 2006</ref> <ref>Jamyang Norbu [http://www.rangzen.net/eng/charter/part_4.html The Case for Tibetan Independence]</ref> <ref>University of Michigan [http://www.umich.edu/~bhl/bhl/exhibits/UMChina/China/life/ChinaOdyssey.htm A China Odyssey]</ref> |
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There have been other cases of oppression of religion in the country, such as creating obstacles in the way of the spread of [[Christianity]]<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13879416/site/newsweek/ Strength From Their Faith], by Sarah Schafer and Jonathan Ansfield, [[Newsweek International]]</ref>. Christians in China assert that they have been persecuted for their beliefs and practices, such as being arrested for reading the Bible <ref>[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_47_15/ai_58283292 China's Abuses Ignored for Profit], by Catherine Edwards</ref>The only legal Christian Churches ([[Three-Self Patriotic Movement]] and [[Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association]]) in China are those under the [[Communist Party of China]] control. Teaching in those Churches is importantly modified towards party's goals in its internal politics. By doing this they forced Christians to compromise their belief or the law to practice their beliefs (''see article on'' [[Chinese House Churches]]) with all the subsequent consequences for them. China's record on religious freedom remains poor, despite some improvements over the past 25 years<ref name=Wayne>[http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/rm/2005/46950.htm China's Emergence as an Economic Superpower and Its Implications for U.S. Business],''United States Department of State''</ref>. United States Secretary Condoleezza Rice has designated China as a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, which carries specific sanctions, such as barring China from consideration for certain types of aid<ref name="Wayne"/>. These issues are relevant to China's Emergence as an Economic Superpower and Its Implications for U.S. Business<ref name="Wayne"/>. |
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[[Image:Urumqi panorama.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Skyline of [[Urumqi]], [[Xinjiang]] in western China, part of the [[China Western Development]] strategy to bridge the growing economic gap between coastal and inner provinces.]] |
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Mainland China still faces great difficulty in solving the mass unemployment problem in the urban and rural areas <ref>BBC News [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1881153.stm China's unemployment challenge]</ref> <ref>RAND Corporation [http://www.rand.org/commentary/070704AWSJ.html China's Rising Unemployment Challenge]</ref> <ref>Xinhua [http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-05/07/content_4518343.htm Millions of graduates facing unemployment]</ref>. Furthermore, although the eastern seaboard areas of mainland China have experienced a tremendous (often double-digit) economic growth rate and are major recipients of [[foreign direct investment|FDI]] into the country, similar breakneck growth rate has been lacking in the relatively undeveloped western areas. To close the gap and to catch up with mainland China's wealthier eastern provinces, the government has initiated the [[China Western Development]] strategy <ref>ALN [http://ag.arizona.edu/OALS/ALN/aln49/glantz.html China's western region development strategy and the urgent need to address creeping environmental problems]</ref>, the [[Revitalize Northeast China]] initiative <ref>Asia Times [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/GI14Ad03.html Reviving northeast China]</ref>, and the [[Rise of Central China]] policy <ref>Chinese Government's Official Web Portal [http://english.gov.cn/2005-08/16/content_30057.htm Premier stresses rise of central region]</ref>. |
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[[Image:Jiangyanfarm.jpg|thumb|right|Many parts of rural China, particularly in the west, still depend on small plot manual farming.]]On a more micro-scale, there's also a big gap over urban-rural population wealth <ref>The World Bank [http://econ.worldbank.org/external/default/main?ImgPagePK=64202990&entityID=000012009_20041216100356&pagePK=64210502&theSitePK=544849&piPK=64210520 Labor market distortions, rural-urban inequality, and the opening of China's economy]</ref>. This great disparity in urban-rural income (on average, urban residents earned three times more income than their rural counterparts) <ref>Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States of America [http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/xw/t179428.htm Household income doubles in China]</ref> has caused concerns such as social discontent. 42 million mainland Chinese lived below the official poverty line in 1998 and 100 million lived on less than US$1 per day, a standard which is classified by the [[World Bank]] as [[extreme poverty]] <ref>The World Bank [http://devdata.worldbank.org/wdi2005/Section1_1_1.htm World Development Indicators 2005: Reducing poverty and hunger]</ref>. However, the number of people living under the poverty line in the country had dropped from 250 million in 1978 to 29 million by the end of 2003 <ref>USA TODAY [http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-12-16-china-wages_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA Report illustrates huge gap between China's rich, poor]</ref>. The incidence of poverty in mainland China also dropped from 30.7 percent to 3.1 percent in the period <ref>China.org.cn [http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/poverty/95871.htm World Bank Managing Director: China's Poverty Reduction Provides Lessons, Experience for Others]</ref>. In response to the rural poverty, the government has taken steps such as abolishing the 2,000-year-old agricultural tax <ref>ABC News [http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=1451528 China to Abolish Ancient Agricultural Tax]</ref>, exempting personal income tax for those receiving monthly income below 1,600 yuan <ref>BBC News [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4382714.stm China legislates to cut wage gap]</ref>, and increasing investments in rural infrastructure, education, and health services to boost consumption and development in rural areas <ref>BusinessWeek [http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/mar2006/gb20060309_834667.htm China's "New Socialist Countryside"]</ref>. |
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The mainland Chinese economy has a great dependence on foreign trade and investments. Investment and export sectors collectively account for about 80% of mainland Chinese GDP and are still growing at close to a 30% annual rate. This is an unsustainable outcome for China (and the US on the consumption side of the global economy). Further sharp increases in investment are a recipe for capacity overhangs and deflation, which could cause an abundance of goods to sell with no countries to sell them to. A scenario such as this is very similar to what caused worldwide recession in the 1930s. Continued sharp gains in exports are a recipe for trade frictions and possibly protectionism in other countries. China is now proposing to tackle its excess saving and subpar consumption story with the same fervor evident when it went after other aspects of its growth and reform story during the past 28 years. Pilot projects already have been established in setting up a safety net, especially in the social security area; moreover, under the terms of China’s WTO accession, the opening of domestic services is likely to accelerate over the next 3-5 years, thereby relieving some of China's external dependency. <ref>Morgan Stanley [http://www.morganstanley.com/views/gef/archive/2006/20060203-Fri.html Global: Passing Ships in the Night]</ref>. |
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In response to mainland China's ballooning [[trade surplus]] with the West, Western governments assert that its currency (see [[Renminbi#Exchange rate of the U.S. dollar vs. the renminbi|Renminbi]]) is currently greatly undervalued <ref>Association for Asian Research [http://www.asianresearch.org/articles/1678.html Is the Chinese Yuan undervalued?]</ref>. Some also assert that the PRC government has unfairly manipulated the yuan exchange rate <ref>Forex Blog [http://www.forexblog.org/chinese_yuan_rmb/ Chinese Yuan (RMB)]</ref> <ref>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel [http://www2.jsonline.com/bym/news/aug03/162995.asp Chinese yuan irks U.S. business]</ref>. When the currency is thoroughly revalued, it is possible that the outsourcing of jobs to mainland China would lessen somewhat. While a stronger currency is a concern for mainland China's manufacturing industry, a positive effect could see the reduction of mainland China's over-reliance on foreign trade and investments as the current main engine for its economic growth. It will thus cause domestic consumption to increase its role in fuelling the economic growth. This type of growth would be more stable towards external economic conditions and sustainable for longer periods of time. In 2005, the share of domestic consumption in mainland China's overall GDP has fallen to slightly less than 50%, significantly below the U.S. share of 71% (most other industrialized nations such as the [[U.K.]], [[Japan]], and [[Australia]] have shares of around 60-70%) <ref>Morgan Stanley [http://www.morganstanley.com/GEFdata/digests/20060203-fri.html Global: Passing Ships in the Night]</ref> <ref>Morgan Stanley [http://www.morganstanley.com/GEFdata/digests/20050729-fri.html Global: The Fallacy of International Comparisons]</ref>. |
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Mainland China's overall trade surplus has increased dramatically in recent years creating an imbalance in the world economy. For example, mainland China keeps a [[trade surplus]] of US$200 billion with the United States <ref>U.S. Census Bureau [http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c5700.html Trade in Goods (Imports, Exports and Trade Balance) with China]</ref>. However, products that are labelled ''Made in China'' are not necessarily developed or designed in mainland China. In fact, 60% of mainland Chinese goods that are exported come from overseas-invested factories, according to PRC customs data (note though, [[Hong Kong]], [[Macau]] and [[Republic of China|Taiwan]], which make up the majority portion of investments in China, are considered ''overseas'' and separate from mainland China in PRC economic data) <ref>BusinessWeek [http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2006/tc20060119_322122.htm Learning from China's Export Boom]</ref> <ref>Asia Times [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/GD01Ad07.html Over to Chinese MNCs]</ref>. Mainland China has become a focal point for [[Assembly line|assemblies]], where final products are assembled and/or tested, but not necessarily manufactured there. The main components are often imported from other countries. Thus, despite mainland China's huge trade surplus with the West, it has a [[trade deficit]] of US$137 billion with Asian countries (Taiwan: US$58 billion, South Korea US$42 billion, Japan: US$16.5 billion) <ref>CFO [http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/5399496/c_5382648?f=home_todayinfinance China-U.S. Trade Imbalance Surges]</ref> <ref>The Washington Times [http://www.washtimes.com/commentary/20030831-102452-7124r.htm China trade deficit travail]</ref>. |
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The "epidemic" of [[copyright infringement|piracy]] in mainland China is spreading. For instance, U.S., European and Japanese companies had reported combined losses to mainland Chinese piracy of at least US$60 billion in 2003 <ref>U.S. Department of State [http://usinfo.state.gov/eap/Archive/2005/May/19-596040.html Chinese Counterfeits Hurting Industry in China, Experts Say]</ref>. Piracy in mainland China is rampant and negatively affects everything from computer software and pharmaceuticals to clothing, auto parts and chewing gum. It affects both mainland Chinese and foreign IPR holders, and is a growing concern for major trading partners such as the United States and the European Union. Such IPR violation may reduce mainland China's creative power potential and hold back mainland China's own innovators and entrepreneurs <ref>U.S. Department of State [http://usinfo.state.gov/ei/Archive/2005/Jun/07-525626.html Commerce Chief Urges China To Protect Intellectual Property]</ref>. |
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As a result of previous and current growth-at-all-costs strategy, mainland China's environment is in a state of serious degradation. Soil erosion, desertification, air pollution, loss of arable lands, and steady falling of [[water table]] especially in the north are serious problems and are estimated to cost the mainland Chinese economy billions of dollars per year. Water is already a scarce commodity in mainland China (especially in northern arid regions) where per capita water supplies are less than a quarter of the world's average. Pollution from coal causes over 250,000 deaths annually. By 2020, it is predicted that mainland China will account for up to 19 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions. <ref>The Age [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/beware-red-democrats-under-our-beds/2006/03/04/1141191889634.html?page=2 Beware red democrats under our beds]</ref> Currently, water in China contains dangerously high level of radiation, which has led to [[radiation|radiation-related death and sickness]], particuarly within its Fujian Province.<ref>[http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg16922732.800-dont-drink-the-water-its-radioactive.html New Scientist] ''Don't drink the water, it's radioactive''</ref> To respond to these problems, the PRC government has embarked upon a number of projects such as [[Great Green Wall]] project (planting billions of trees to hold back desertification) and building canals to divert water from water-abundant southern regions to arid northern regions. |
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Due to the lack of openness of the mainland Chinese society in general, economic crimes such as corruption and collusion have become rampant among party and government officials, and this may hinder mainland China's economic growth and hurt the confidence of investors. <ref>FAS [http://www.fas.org/news/china/2000/000310-prc1.htm China - Corruption]</ref> Combined with worsening social problems in mainland China (due to wide urban-rural income gap), there have been growing social discontent and about 87,000 big and small-scale demonstrations occurred throughout mainland China in 2005.<ref>The Age [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/beware-red-democrats-under-our-beds/2006/03/04/1141191889634.html?page=2 Beware red democrats under our beds]</ref> Most of these discontents are not political; rather they are due to economic reasons. Peasants for example, are being forced to leave their land and are compensated poorly. Their confiscated lands are then sold at a much higher price with the local officials keeping much of the profits.<ref>The Guardian [http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,,1782978,00.html The big steal]</ref> <ref>People's Daily [http://english.people.com.cn/200503/09/eng20050309_176176.html China arrests 20,425 suspects for economic crimes in 2004]</ref> |
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In some technology fields, mainland China is still behind its counterparts such as the United States, Russia and the European Union, and lacks in the number of leading world-class research scientists.<ref>World Economic Forum [https://members.weforum.org/site/knowledgenavigator.nsf/Content/_S2956?open&country_id= The Road Ahead for China]</ref> <ref>NPR [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5451102 China Faces Academic Corruption, Quality Problems]</ref> Furthermore, despite the large number of university graduates produced in mainland China every year, only a relatively small fraction has sufficient quality or professional experience to work in multinational companies (MNCs).<ref>BusinessWeek [http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/mar2006/gb20060322_649013.htm Don't Be Afraid of Offshoring]</ref> <ref>People's Daily [http://english.people.com.cn/200406/25/eng20040625_147548.html China has a surplus of poor-quality MBA, interview]</ref> The Chinese government is trying to address the problem by giving massive injections of governmental funding into mainland Chinese universities and hopes to transform them into world-class institutions. These funds are intended for attracting top foreign-educated and overseas-born Chinese, building cutting-edge research centers, partnering with the world's best educational institutions, and developing new programs taught in English.<ref>Asia Times [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/HB18Cb05.html China hunts abroad for academic talent]</ref> However, despite this, China's weak High-Tech export industry lacks economic competitiveness and a capacity for independent innovation.<ref>Asia Times [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/HD05Cb03.html High-tech industries still weak despite growth]</ref> In PC exports, China's real export is less than $10 billion and the sales profability of high-tech industries from China has decreased, indicating that other nations around the world are reaping rewards of strong high-tech economies.<ref>Asia Times [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/HD05Cb03.html High-tech industries still weak despite growth]</ref> |
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[[Image:Destroy old world.jpg|thumb|right|A Chinese poster during the [[Cultural Revolution]] saying: "Shatter the old world, establish a new one." 1967.]] |
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A side effect of the One-child policy is mainland China's rapidly aging population.<ref name="growthnightmare">The Age [http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/chinas-population-growth-nightmare/2007/01/13/1168105219479.html China's Population Growth Nightmare]</ref> It is predicted that by 2020, 25% of mainland [[Demographics of China|China's population]] will be considered retirees, so they cannot contribute to the work force. It is expected that by the 2040s, 430 million Chinese will be above the age of sixty.<ref name="growthnightmare"/> |
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This could disadvantage its economy, but on the other hand many feel uncontrolled [[population growth]] is not a feasible option either. Although officially banned by the central government, local authorities - under the pressure of job promotion - sometimes committed forced [[abortion]]s in order to enforce the One-child policy. Cultural preference over sons has also encouraged gender-based abortion including female infanticide, despite it being illegal in [[mainland China]]. If trends continue, there will be 30-40 million more men of marriageable age in 2020 than there are women.<ref name="growthnightmare"/> |
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<ref>The Age [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/beware-red-democrats-under-our-beds/2006/03/04/1141191889634.html?page=2 Beware red democrats under our beds]</ref> |
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Recent findings have also shown that despite the One-Child policy, China is still growing at an uncontrollable rate.<ref name="growthnightmare"/> The total population of China is set to reach 1.5 billion in 2033.<ref name="growthnightmare"/> By this point, it is expected that the [[Demographics of China|Chinese people]] will be strained for water and food resources.<ref name="growthnightmare"/> The continued overpopulation also means there will be increased demand for jobs, leading to rampant unemployment damaging the economy.<ref name="growthnightmare"/>. |
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The [[Cultural Revolution]] which China experienced in the 1960s-70s had devastated a significant part of China's historical and cultural relics. In the modern times, the government has tried to revive traditional Confucian values (political catch-phrase: "harmonious society") and embarked on public initiatives to protect and preserve Chinese cultural heritage as well as historical artifacts. However, more often than not, such initiative comes head-to-head against China's desire to modernize itself rapidly. For instance, traditional [[hutong]]<ref>TIME [http://www.time.com/time/asia/features/china_cul_rev/suburbanites.html Back-Alley Blues.]</ref> (in [[Beijing]]) and [[shikumen]]<ref>[http://www.howardwfrench.com/archives/2006/07/22/shanghai_film_mourns_loss_of_past/ Shanghai Film Mours Loss of Past], July 22 2006, Howard W. French, A Glimpse of the World </ref> (in [[Shanghai]]) homes are being demolished at an alarming rate to make way for modern developments such as high-rises and wide boulevards. Even when buildings are designated as protected or historic sites, they can be knocked down in the frenzy of development. Local officials often collude with private developers or accept bribes. The encroachment of globalization (especially Western culture) has also resulted in the fading of Chinese traditions.<ref>Asia Times [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/HH15Ad01.html China's cultural revival struggles]</ref> The impact of such loss on the society is debatable although the pursuit for raw materialism over the past few decades have left a spiritual void among the Chinese. As a result, many Chinese today are interested in rediscovering their connection with the past.<ref>Asia Times [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/HH26Ad01.html Han follow suit in cultural renaissance]</ref> |
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Some [[traditional Chinese]] users, especially for Taiwanese, often critise the formal use of [[simplified Chinese]] in China and Southeast Asian countries such as [[Singapore]] and [[Malaysia]] because the communist attempt to simplify traditional characters is believed to be negating China's cultural past because as more and more young Chinese people read only simplified text and forget traditional Chinese, there will be few who will be able to translate and read ancient Chinese artifacts and scrolls.<ref>[http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2006/04/04/2003300896 Taipei Times] ''Write more to safeguard traditional characters''</ref><ref>[http://www.spellingsociety.org/aboutsss/agmtalk.php Simplified Spelling Society] AGM 2004 </ref> |
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== European Union == |
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{| width="auto" style="toc: 25em; font-size: 85%; lucida grande, sans-serif; text-align: left;" class="infobox" |
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!align="center" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" colspan="3"|'''[[European Union]]''' |
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|colspan="2" align="center"|[[Image:Flag of Europe.svg|center|200px]] |
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|colspan="2" align="center"|[[Image:Location EU.svg|center|200px]] |
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! style="background:#f0f0f0;" align="left" valign="top"| Economic superpower |
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| style="background:#f0f0f0;" valign="top"| {{Tick}} |
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!align="left" valign="top"|Political superpower |
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|valign="top"| {{Tick}} |
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! style="background:#f0f0f0;" align="left" valign="top"| Military superpower |
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| style="background:#f0f0f0;" valign="top"| {{Tick}} |
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!align="left" valign="top"| Energy superpower |
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|valign="top"| —— |
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The '''[[European Union]]''' has been called an emerging superpower by academics.<ref name="Europe in the New Century: visions of an emerging superpowe">{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=sbi7eVIcyD4C&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=definition+Superpower&ots=QwPGsGBqbX&sig=P-UZJX-L3dBgl77ZRpoa0dP2dd0#PPP1,M1 |
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|title=Robert J. Guttman, Europe in the New Century: visions of an emerging superpower|accessdate=2007-05-26}}</ref><ref>[http://www.monash.ac.uk/1209.html www.monash.ac.uk]</ref><ref>[http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?event_id=113994&fuseaction=events.event_summary www.wilsoncenter.org]</ref><ref>[http://www.globalpowereurope.eu www.globalpowereurope.eu]</ref> T.R. Reid,<ref>REID, T.R., ''The United States of Europe: The New Superpower and the End of American Supremacy'', New York: Penguin Books, 2004, 305p.</ref> Andrew Reding<ref name="Andrew Reding, Chicago Tribune, EU next superpower">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldpolicy.org/globalrights/europe/2002-0106-Chicago%20Tribune-European%20superpower.html|title=Andrew Reding, Chicago Tribune, EU next superpower|accessdate=2007-03-18}}</ref> and [[Mark Leonard]],<ref>LEONARD, M., ''Why Europe Will Run the Twenty-First Century''</ref><ref>[http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20050501fabook84336/mark-leonard/why-europe-will-run-the-21st-century.html Why Europe Will Run the 21st Century, ''Review''], Foreign Affairs, Accessed March 11, 2007</ref> believe that the power of the European Union will rival that of the United States in the 21st century. Leonard cites several factors: the EU's large population, large economy, low inflation rates, the unpopularity and perceived failure of US foreign policy in recent years, and certain EU members states' high quality of life (when measured in terms such as hours worked per week).<ref>[http://www.cer.org.uk/articles/leonard_irish_times_18feb05.html Europe: the new superpower by Mark Leonard], Irish Times, Accessed March 11, 2007</ref> On the other hand Laurent Cohen-Tanugi<ref>Cohen-Tanugi, L., "The End of Europe" in ''[http://www.columbia.edu/cu/alliance/documents/Homepage/Cohen-Tanugi-FA-2005.pdf Foreign Affairs]'', 84, (2005), 6, 55-67.</ref> states that the EU as a whole has consistently suffered from a growth deficit vis-a-vis the US, high unemployment, and public deficits even while most member states of the EU lagged substantially behind the US in R&D investment, technological innovation, and, since 1995, productivity gains. |
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[[Image:La2-euro.jpg|thumb|180px|left|The economy of the European Union member states, if combined, is the strongest power in the world and gives the EU considerable political power. One may also believe that the EU is also a superpower<ref name="European superpower">{{cite book | last = Reid | first = TR | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2004 | title = The United States Of Europe: The New Superpower and the End of American Supremacy | publisher = Touchstone | location = | id = }}</ref> - as it would be if the qualities of its member states are combined - and conversely there are many who do not hold such beliefs.<ref name="Yale Global on America's power being overestimated">{{cite web|url=http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=5397 Yale Globa|title=Yale Global|accessdate=2006-06-11}}</ref> .]] |
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The EU currently features the world's largest [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] and consumer market and has considerable control over the global allocation of resources, yet it is currently argued that the European Union is too politically and culturally fragmented to be considered as a single unit, especially since two of the principal levers of power, foreign policy and defense, are exercised principally by the individual member states.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} Additionally, the EU's military capabilities are relatively limited, while "superpowers" traditionally wield considerable power in that sphere. |
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Overall the twenty-seven member states also have significant cultural influences on the entire globe, with European fashion, art and food being commonplace in nearly every corner of the planet. France and the United Kingdom are also permanent members of the UN Security Council and have veto power. In terms of education, eight of the top fifteen ranks on the PISA were filled by EU member states with all western member states being represented among the top thirty.<ref name="PISA study rankings">{{cite web|url=http://www.siteselection.com/ssinsider/snapshot/sf011210.htm|title=PISA study rankings|accessdate=2006-06-21}}</ref> |
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Given planned force expansion, EU members will together field 4 fleet aircraft carriers as well as more than half a dozen smaller escort carriers and numerous surface warships by 2015.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} |
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The EU is composed of many developed countries; by contrast, India and China are politically unified but still lack some economic, political, military, and social development. The European Union contains several current [[great power]]s — the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy — along with 23 other countries. |
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Also, the EU even seems to have developed a [[sphere of influence]] of close geographical nations, which was typical of the [[United States]] and [[Soviet Union]] in the [[Cold War]].<ref name="The EU as a Regional Normative Hegemon">{{cite web|url=http://www.ceeisaconf.ut.ee/orb.aw/class=file/action=preview/id=164113/Haukkala.pdf|title=The EU as a Regional Normative Hegemon|accessdate=2006-06-24}}</ref> Examples include candidate nations, [[EFTA]] members outside of the Union, and former colonies, especially in Africa. The EU plays the role of a normative hegemon [http://www.eri.bham.ac.uk/research/wp6Fritz.pdf]. It reverses the traditional balance of power, in the sense that states are not trying to counter-balance it but join it. |
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It is argued by commentators that full political integration is not required for the European Union to wield international influence: that its apparent weaknesses constitute its real strengths (as of its low profile diplomacy and the opsetion of the rule of law<ref name="The Project for a New European Century">{{cite web|url=http://www.theglobalist.com/StoryId.aspx?StoryId=4464|title=The Project for a New European Century|accessdate=2006-06-28}}</ref>) and that the EU represents a new and potentially more successful type of international actor than traditional ones [http://www.arena.uio.no/cidel/WorkshopOsloSecurity/Hyde-Price.pdf]; however, it is uncertain if the effectiveness of such an influence would be equal to that of a politically integrated superpower. (e.g. United States) |
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Much of the debate seems to stem from the EU being a ''[[sui generis]]'' entity. |
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=== Structure === |
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On [[December 16]], [[2004]], [[The World Factbook]], a publication of the United States' [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA) added an entry for the European Union.<ref name="Inclusion of EU in the CIA factbook">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ee.html|title=Inclusion of EU in the CIA factbook|accessdate=2006-10-18}}</ref> According to the CIA, the European Union was added because the EU "continues to accrue more nation-like characteristics for itself". Their reasoning was explained in this small statement in the introduction: |
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{{cquote|''The evolution of the European Union (EU) from a regional economic agreement among six neighboring states in 1951 to today's supranational organization of 27 countries across the European continent stands as an unprecedented phenomenon in the annals of history. Dynastic unions for territorial consolidation were long the norm in Europe... Although the EU is not a federation in the strict sense, it is far more than a free-trade association such as ASEAN, NAFTA, or Mercosur, and it has many of the attributes associated with independent nations: its own flag, anthem, founding date, and currency, as well as an incipient common foreign and security policy in its dealings with other nations. In the future, many of these nation-like characteristics are likely to be expanded. Thus, inclusion of basic intelligence on the EU has been deemed appropriate as a new, separate entity in The World Factbook. However... this description is placed after the regular country entries.'' — CIA factbook<ref name="Inclusion of EU in the CIA factbook">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ee.html|title=Inclusion of EU in the CIA factbook|accessdate=2006-10-18}}</ref> |
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}} |
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== References == |
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{{reflist|2}} |
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{{-}} |
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{{International power}} |
{{International power}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Potential Superpowers}} |
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[[Category:States by power status]] |
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[[Category:Emerging power]] |
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[[fr:Superpuissance naissante]] |
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[[Category:21st century]] |
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[[ja:潜在超级大国]] |
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[[Category:Superpowers|Pot]] |
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[[pt:Superpotência emergente]] |
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[[Category:Military terminology]] |
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[[zh:潛在超級大國]] |
Latest revision as of 18:21, 11 January 2025
A potential superpower is a sovereign state or other polity that is speculated to be or have the potential to become a superpower; a sovereign state or supranational union that holds a dominant position characterized by the ability to exert influence and project power on a global scale through economic, military, technological, political, or cultural means.[1][2][3]
The United States is currently considered the world's foremost superpower.[4] It is by some accounts the only superpower,[5][6][7] and the only one for which its status finds broad consensus.[8] China, the European Union, India, and Russia have been discussed as potential superpowers of the 21st century; Japan was a former candidate in the 1980s.[citation needed]
China
[edit]The People's Republic of China has arguably received the most consistent coverage in the popular press of its potential superpower status,[9][10][11][12][13][14] and has been identified as a rising or emerging economic and military superpower by academics and other experts.[15][16][17][18] One source argued that "China certainly presents the most promising all-round profile" of a potential superpower, having high economic growth and a large population.[19] According to U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, China represents the "biggest geopolitical test of the 21st century" to the United States, as it is "the only country with enough power to jeopardize the current global order".[20]
Great focus has been placed on China's growing economic activity on the global stage, in particular where it has been in competition with the United States. Examples of this have included the establishing and large-scale expansion in countries joining the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in contrast to traditional western institutions, along with the Belt and Road Initiative and China's role in the worldwide groundings of the Boeing 737 MAX.[21][22] It has also been argued that the future is likely to be of growing competition between two highly dominant countries in the form of the United States and China while others begin to lag behind economically.[23] Predictions have also been made of it overtaking the United States as the world's largest economy in the 2020s.[24] Due to the country's rapidly developing AI industry, China has also been referred to as an "AI superpower".[25][26][27]
In contrast to this however there have been some who question how long this pace of economic growth could continue, with emphasis placed on China's very large but ageing and shrinking population of over 1.4 billion, and long-term effects of pollution within the country that have accumulated during its fast pace of industrialisation, and also that while it continues to grow it has yet to prove attractive to skilled immigration from outside the country in the same way other countries like the United States have.[28][29][30][31] A supposed lack of soft power is another aspect of contention to China's status as a potential superpower.[32][33]
There has been significant discussion around the ability for China to project power militarily. There has been argument that its ties with Russia and Central Asia could see the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation become the "NATO of the East".[34] It has also been argued that American absence from the Indo-Pacific region during the war on terror has allowed Chinese to actively challenge the United States as the pre-eminent power in the region.[35] Others have argued however that China still remains surrounded by potentially hostile nations and still lacks few friends or allies necessary for it to truly compete with the United States.[36]
European Union
[edit]The European Union (EU) has been called an emerging superpower or having already achieved that status, primarily to do with its economic power and political influence on the world stage. Factors highlighted have included its large population, the size and global reach of its combined economy, and the comparative unpopularity of US foreign policy.[37][38]
Despite lacking a cohesive military of its own, with military capabilities still the matter of individual member states, it has been argued that this is irrelevant in the 21st century and accordingly so when considering the status of the EU as a potential superpower.[39][40] Others however have questioned this interpretation, instead arguing that its lack of a unified military structure compared to the United States undermines the case that the EU is a potential superpower.[41][42]
The EU's lack of political integration has also come under conflicting views regarding its effect on superpower status. Some have argued that its more "low profile" diplomacy and emphasis on the rule of law represent a new kind of geopolitical influence that fulfills the political requirements for consideration of being a superpower rather than simply failing to meet them.[38][43] Others however argue that its lack of a centralised foreign or defence policy leaves its effectiveness uncertain when compared to that of a more politically integrated union of states such as the United States,[44][19] and it has even been argued that the EU remains as little more than an extension of a Europe reliant or dominated by the United States.[45]
The European Union has been called a "regulatory superpower" due to the Brussels effect, which suggests that regulations and standards applicable in the EU will also be adopted by numerous countries outside the EU over time.[46][47][48]
India
[edit]The Republic of India has seen considerable coverage of its potential of becoming a superpower economically. Multiple opinions have pointed towards India's rapid economic development as a reason for it to be considered a potential superpower, in particular during the 2010s when it was predicted to outpace China's growth into the future.[49][50][51][52] Economists and researchers at Harvard University have projected India's 7% projected annual growth rate through 2024 would continue to put it ahead of China, making India the fastest growing economy in the world.[53][54] Over and above, India also has the advantage of having a very large and growing young population with a median age of 28, compared to China's median age of 39.[55]
While India's economic growth has continued, others have noted that inequality remains high in the country and that its potential for trading appears more limited compared to regional rivals such as China, and that despite India briefly becoming the world's fastest-growing economy in 2015 its growth declined below China's since 2018.[56][57][58][59][60]
It has also been argued that India's government and bureaucracy is also geared against emerging as a superpower, with it being argued that it "does very little collective thinking about its long-term foreign policy goals, since most of the strategic planning that takes place within the government happens on an individual level".[61]
Russia
[edit]Russia, since its imperial times, has been considered both a great power and a regional power. Throughout most of the Soviet-era, the Soviet Union was one of the world's two superpowers. However, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation as its successor state lost its superpower status. In the early 21st century, Russia has been suggested as a potential candidate for resuming superpower status,[62][63][64] while others have made the assertion that it is already a superpower.[65] In his 2005 publication entitled Russia in the 21st Century: The Prodigal Superpower, Steven Rosefielde, a professor of economics at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, predicted that Russia would emerge as a superpower before 2010 and augur another arms race. However, Rosefielde noted that such an end would come with tremendous sacrifice to global security and the Russian people's freedom.[66][page needed] Stephen Kinzer of The Boston Globe compared Russia's actions with its own neighbouring territories, to those of "any other superpower", taking Ukraine and Crimea as examples.[67]
Others however have put forward more pessimistic views towards Russia's ability to regain its superpower status. A mixed opinion has been offered by Matthew Fleischer of the Los Angeles Times, contending that severe climate change would be necessary for much of Russia's inherent natural resources to become viable.[68]
Several analysts commented on the fact that Russia showed signs of an aging and shrinking population. Fred Weir said that this severely constricts and limits Russia's potential to re-emerge as a central world power.[69] In 2011, British historian and professor Niall Ferguson also highlighted the negative effects of Russia's declining population, and suggested that Russia is on its way to "global irrelevance".[70] Russia has, however, shown a slight population growth since the late 2000s, partly due to immigration, quickly rising birth rates, slowly declining death rates.[71]
Russia's ability to project hard power was also questioned following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with the Russian military's poor performance prompting economist Paul Krugman to suggest Russia was little more than a "Potemkin Superpower".[72]
Comparative statistics of current candidates
[edit]Country/Union | Population[73][74] | Area (km2) |
GDP (nominal)[75] | GDP (PPP)[75] | Military expenditures (Int$ billion)[76] |
HDI[77] | UN Security Council veto power | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(USD million) | Per capita ($) | (Int$ million) | Per capita (Int$) | ||||||
United States | 346,238,081 | 9,525,067 | 25,035,164 | 68,309 | 22,675,271 | 75,180 | 877 | 0.926 (very high) | Yes |
China | 1,411,778,724 | 9,596,961 | 18,321,197 | 11,819 | 26,656,766 | 21,291 | 292 | 0.761 (high) | Yes |
European Union | 449,206,209 | 4,233,262 | 17,127,535 | 38,256 | 20,918,062 | 53,960 | 186[78] | 0.911 (very high) | (France) |
India | 1,456,604,163 | 3,287,263 | 3,468,566 | 3,057 | 10,207,290 | 10,475 | 81.4 | 0.645 (medium) | No |
Russia | 144,458,123 | 17,125,191 | 2,133,092 | 11,654 | 4,328,122 | 31,967 | 86.4 | 0.824 (very high) | Yes |
Former candidates
[edit]Japan
[edit]In the 1980s, some political and economic analysts predicted that Japan would eventually accede to superpower status, due to its large population, growing economic, military, industrial, technological and cultural influence, large gross domestic product, and high economic growth at that time.[79][80][81] Japan's economy was expected to eventually surpass that of the United States.[82][83][80] However, this prediction failed to materialise following a stock market crash and the resulting "Lost Decades", where Japan has suffered a flat to negative economic outlook,[84] while its population has been aging since the late 1980s before suffering real decline in total population starting in 2011.[10][85]
See also
[edit]- American Century
- ASEAN
- Asian Century
- BRIC
- BRICS
- Emerging power
- Energy superpower
- Eurasian Economic Union
- Great power
- List of countries in Europe by military expenditures
- Mercosur
- Post–Cold War era
- Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
- Second Cold War
- South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
- Superpower collapse
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External links
[edit]- Centre for Rising Powers, University of Cambridge
- China on the World Stage from the Dean Peter Krogh Foreign Affairs Digital Archives
- Blast off: India hopes Mars rocket will enhance its superpower status by The Times
- China and India: The Power of Two by Harvard Business Review
- The End of Pax Americana: How Western Decline Became Inevitable by The Atlantic
- Why The U.S. Remains The World's Unchallenged Superpower