HellaDumb

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the correction.

Clint Torres

AFAIK, those huge trade deficit numbers we keep on hearing about are somewhat misleading. They don't account for all the profits that are made by retailers here and domestic companies who make their products overseas. This is only my knowledge so please refute support this statement.

HellaDumb

iTrader: (3)

I agree, and we are really screwed if there is a major war, because none of the factories are here.

dr3d1zzl3

iTrader: (1)

someone doesnt understand international trade or economics very well...

as ALL countries BECOME more RELIANT on EACH OTHER it REMOVES the plausibility of large scale conflicts, and brings forth small scale skirmishes and politiko...


**** man i see hella is still dumber then **** and cant think for himself..

HellaDumb

iTrader: (3)

Not to imply you're having some synape mis-fires or anything, but balanced trade creates mutual reliance, right? You simply forgot fact that we have a growing trade imbalance.. but you did know that, right?

As the imbalance grows, one side becomes more weakened, dependent, and prone to collapse. Sustaining military dominance under such conditions would prove futile.
Remind you of the manufacturing problems of WW2 Germany much? They had superior equipment, but couldn't make it fast enough.

Thanks for playing,
Hella

dub2w

what????

HellaDumb

iTrader: (3)

Who????

Choku Dori

iTrader: (2)

Anyone who studies 2 bits worth of International Relations knows that the next world superpower will be China, no doubt about it. It has massive amounts of natural resources, an unearthly amount of manpower, low labor costs, and a newfound capitalism. That's why America is getting so paranoid about China. But never fear, most experts agree that it'll take China another good 20 to 50 years before it can solidify its hegemony, due to its underdeveloped economic policies, backwater countrysides, and hardline 1st generation Communist party leaders (who are actually already starting to retire/die off). In the meantime, America really should clean up its act and stop wasting its resources, money, and manpower on pointless "world policing" policies that are still stuck in the 19th century a la Teddy Roosevelt and concentrate on maintaining its politico-economic viability. After all, remember what happend to the Roman Empire, the British Empire, and the Soviet Union?

As for oil, it would not be in China's, America's, or anyone's interest to forcefully take it away from Arab nations. Rather, a smart policy would be to use to diplomacy to establish good relations with these states while at the same time becoming friendlier with non-Arab, oil-rich states such as Venezuela and Central Asian states. In becoming friendly and generous with both sides, the potential buyer nation will indirectly spark a competition between Arab and non-Arab oil states, hence driving down prices while becoming friendlier with all states involved in the price war. It's simple free market economics that can perhaps only be stopped by OPEC, but like any other IGO (intergovernmental organization), OPEC allegiances are much weaker than state allegiances (much like in the UN, ASEAN, and the EU, among other IGO's). This is especially true since there is no military threat involved; specifically, the main concern is monetary gain, not national sovereignty (in instances where national sovereignty has been threatened, IGO's have been much stronger, such as seen in NATO, the Warsaw Pact, the Thirteen Original Colonies, and even in ancient times such as the Han Imperial Coalition against Dong Zhuo during the Later Han Dynasty in China and the Greek alliance against the Trojans as depicted in Homer's Illiad and Odyssey).

Unregistered

Bravo Choku Dori bravo.

HellaDumb

iTrader: (3)

Yes, I agree his post outlines what could likely occur, but there will be the chance of war in many instances. The Chinese would not be building up their military to unprecedented levels and working cooperatively with Russia if military might was not "the" deciding factor.

Many countries will not sit down and have a polite conversation with you unless you have a bigger gun.