Good opoints Poonte bro, engaging in a discussion is a nice learning experience, although we have our own ways to look at the world events (liberal view vs. realist view). Wars between states are far less likely to happen now than before, and will continue do so into the future. And in the face of growing military conflicts with unconventional armies (mostly within one nation's borders, as opposed to wars between states) skills in social, political and economic issues, I think, are becoming more valuable in resolving conflicts than military might. Hence, the diminishing relevance of militarism. Can I disagree? I believe that for every Athens there will be a Sparta. I totally agree that wars between the nations are less likely today than it was a century ago, but still we haven't eliminated wars from our agenda at all. It is still there, even in the countries of Western Europe who are under a collective defense agreement/treaty/pact. One man's terrorist is another man's hero. aani, one country's terrorist is another country's power. So terrorists actually fight a proxy war. If I remember correctly from my reading of Herz's brilliant essay on terretorial state (and if i understood it correctly), terrorism is often used to coerce other countries to accept and agree with your terms. Yes, economy and market are important these days than military, but what happens when there's a surplus of goods, and you have no market? This surplus and argument over trading rights (free trading rights, if I may) will be a major problem, and sicne war and economy are inter-related, the threat of war still exists. "owerful country of the future will not necessarily have to have a strong military (though it may still play a small role), but rather must have an enormously influential economy with large economic ties throughout the world. " I agree. But minus the defense capabilities, they will not be superpowers. They will be economic powers and will play an important role in the international arena, but you can't label them superpowers. (my own views hai) because they would have no ideology toe xport, and they will not move to the core of the core. They will remain at the core. Just like Japan and Germany are today. " Therefore, in this regard, I still think China emerging as a superpower is a not a question of IF, but of WHEN. And at the pace China's economy is not only growing within, but also without (with increasing economic ties with other nations), I feel that we will see the rise of China to the top of the heirarchy within our life time. [Aba, mora kaal le bholi nai khuttrukkai pardyo bhane chai thaa chhaina hai! ;)] " hahaha Poonte bro, I think we have our own definitions of a superpower. But I agree with you on this one, not entirely though. I too believe that China will be quite influential in coming days ( the sooner the better for me:-), and like I have beens aying again and again, it will play an important role in the world affairs (tyasai 98 dekhi China padhna thaleko ho ta maile? hehe), but to match the US in economy and defense capabilities is still a long way to go. China will certainly take over EU, Japan and Russia economically, but will still lag behind the US and Russia in defense. And I believe to be a true superpower, one has to have a good economy + defense. 2. Given US' decline, albeit slow, and China's rapid growth in economy (again, both within AND without), and others (EU, Japan , India, Australia) far behind the competition, it seems highly likely to me that China will take over US as the most influential (or call it being a superpower) country in the world. China might take over the US in economic terms, I certainly see your logic here. But defense wise, k? defense wise the US will be still the strongest, even if it stops spending on defense R&D.. Maybe we'll see two types of superpower: Economic and defense. Then China will be an economic superpower and Russia and the US will be defense superpower. Just to wrap things up before we move on to the next thread on Iran/Central Asia/Russia (I am looking forward to reading your informed and balanced views on those too): I can totally see China becoming an economic superpower but not a economic-defense superpower because to become a total superpower with money and excellent, unmatched defense capabilities, China has a long way to go. Imagine this happening: China works out a collective or individual MAD agrreement with India, Pakistan, Russia and North Korea.. That would be awesome. The whole of South Asia (and East Asia) region will become one of the safest regions from what it is today, "one of the most dangerous regions" of the world. Liberals do have certain good strategies :-) Alright ponte bro...thanks again for your views. aaba kahile kahi agreement, kahile kahi disagreement ta huney bhayo nai. This shouldn't bar us from engaging in other discussions on similar topics... bhandai, la CHEERS... Gambei (black label)...