At the same time I might contribute something to this discussion...
Though I am not going to massively address the topic of war, as that is rather just a thing for the US to currently cling to as its only arena of competition with Europe and is, ultimately, highly unlikely and not justified enough to discuss at length...I have two points for when I touch upon it..
I am removing the use of nuclear weapons. As barbaric and mindless as I do view most americans, and even some Europeans, they do have this abysmal desire to emphasise with other forms of life, and ergo only resort to harming things, not trying to harm them.. as an ultimate last resort. I don't for one moment believe any 'civilised' country would willing use nuclear weapons, even if they were losing a war (occupation is a better option than certain death, everyone knows that..)
On top of that. Using the general characteristics of the American's, I am taking it as they being likely, to a 95-5% (5% Europe attacking first..) chance of striking first in a war.
Let's look at a few sides of this shall we?
Culture - There is no competition. The USA has so many fractured media born cultures and crime ridden streets that any form of independence is an abstract ideal constantly imagined, but rarely found in existence, and most of their current efforts (rap for example) is shunned by the greater, cultured, areas of the 'old world'. The USA have made notable contributions (Hollywood, Star Wars, the moon landing, Roswell), but nothing to match the home of modern culture - Europe.
On average European and Asian children are smarter than those of the US, in certain fields (Science, Maths, English).. (anon, 2008). Which reflects on our education systems.
Furthermore, two of the most widely spoken languages in the world (English and Spanish) originate in europe.
Economy - the world relies on the US as much as it relies upon europe and the east. As it stands there are about 8 countries in the world with all the major power, most of them European, after that it drastically plummets. If the US lost Europe it would be up crap creek without a paddle, but this is a two way thing and without the US Europe would be in the crap too, though as stated earlier for the most part Europe would make a speedier recovery, however the UK itself would be severely, if not mortally, damaged.
The USA have the largest debt, nearly twice that of the UK. They also have the largest income, but currently even the UK's standard of living is higher than that of the USA (alas, first time in a very long time, but then we were never far behind
, and you are not far behind now). The benefit system may be somewhat of a weight for our economy, but it is a loved factor by many of our citizens.
Military - The USA has the second largest standing army in the world, second only to china, it's combined military forces outnumber the standing armies of all europe combined.
HOWEVER. Combined, the European countries have a larger population (ergo logical to presume there would be more call up's and volunteer's/drafts), and on average are healthier (L Girion, 2007), so again, logically the average soldier would be better (aside from the fact the UK does boast the best soldiers in the world, Switzerland and german also have very top end soldiers).
The USA has more submarines and more ships, on the other hand though, the oceans around Europe are a lot denser than the atlantic itself, the European admirals would be fighting on home turf. On top of that with most technologies at Europe disposal as good, if not only a small amount less advanced as that of the US, and our impeccable 1000 years of war under our belts, it would be safe to say that the US numbers advantage would be significantly reduced, after all, war is what Europe does, though this would by no means indicate the USA down and out... it would just increase the chance of European victory, or should I say.. defence.
All in all though, Europe does need to sort itself out. Our own unification is incomplete, our defence to outside threats, such as to the two super powers is not enough, but given enough time, it certainly will be.
To be quite frank though, considering Europe are the USA's closest allies, and visa-versa, I think the entire prospect of them going to war is utterly redundant and neither here nor there. The US is like the Black Sheep of the Europe, and ultimately, you guys are just the jock of the family..but Europe at heart, with an injection of mexican (well, a lot more than an injection..), confused by the multitude of origins comprising your existence.
History - Europe has a disgustingly rich history. It can be seen in every city, every town. The desolate barren husk's of military war shells and bunkers litter the countrysides of france, the death camps stand like haunted graveyards across Europe. Dhali, Caesar, Van Gough, Hitler, Freude, J R R Tolkien, Flemming, Einstein, Nobel, Archimedes, Elizabeth, Henry VIII, The Titanic, most popes that have existed, roads most modern technology (the jet engine)...are all European. American itself IS a European creation.
Briton can boast the largest empire too have ever existed, controlling a quarter of the entire world and it population, it can be said that for better or worse, Briton made the world, and America what it is today. The most common Christian religion originated from england, and our judicial and law systems AND our parliamentary systems are still the inspiration and basis for most systems in the world.
The UK surrendered her power for the 'greater good', an impeccable sign of nobility and a effort to right previous wrongs of slavery and oppression.
The internet and others - The internet originates from computers. Alan Turning, English, invented and developed computers. The Internet was started by the US and the UK DID pitch into it, meaning Europe are actually responsible for more of the internet than the US are...
The Wright brothers only dotted the I's and crossed the T's for the aeroplane, which had been developed, experimented with and basically created by Europeans at that point.
WW's - The first world war, the americans can claim little credit for being instrumental in defeating the germans, that show was that of the english and the french. The second world war, I put my hands up and say that the americans gave the english a great deal of help, and were, like the UK, and Russia pivotal in ultimate victory for the allied forces. Ultimately though it was Europe fighting europe as the main stage for WWII, Germany were the primary aggressors with Italy - you being able to barely handle Japan for many years it was the UK, using your help that held the Germans and the Italians. It took the combined forces of America, France, what was left of the British Empire and Russia to stop Germany and Italy, two EUROPEAN countries. The Nuclear bombs were developed primarily by Europeans. You guys just nabbed the tech when it was prime for the final touch, much to echo the scenario with the areoplane.
Russia - As for the position of Russia. I think they would do one of two things.
1. Side with Europe
2. Stay out of it, watch both sides damage each other, ally with China and murder the winner.
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In conclusion, to be quite frank.. I certainly will give America, that they are possibly the best chance for the future at the moment, a long side China.. but they would be nothing without Europe, and are no where near standing on the same, or any level above their parents yet.
With the rich history, the amazing range of culture, the difference in general attitude, the current economy, the increased safety and better health, I don't think there is any competition to which is a greater territory and a better place to live.
You keep clinging to your military prowess. It may be dam good, but it would never provide the decisive victory you hint at, and it's all pretty much worthless in this discussion.
The USA is the brain child of Europe. We are your creators, your mentors, your origins....the US is nothing but a failed experiment of Europe's greed.
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A few sources for interest.
L Girion, 2007 -
http://www.bcbs.com/news/national/europ ... n-u-s.html Anon, 2008 -
http://www.medindia.net/news/Asian-Euro ... 5053-1.htmAnon, 2008 -
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/b ... 137506.ece----~----
I think, that's my contribution settled. I won't reply to any comebacks, and I wont take any further part save that or modding things.
even if we did have silos, we would detect incoming nukes and retaliate before they hit. USA does not = all powerful.
