Supposing Europe declared itself a superpower and told America to fuck off? Would it solve the balance-of-power thing? Would there be any support? Would Britain support Germany instead of the US? And would that increase the amount of steroids and hormones used by British athletes for the next Olympics?
― dave q, Monday, 17 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)
I'm with Blackadder on the question of deterrence:
Edmund: But the real reason for the whole thing was that it was too
much effort *not* to have a war.
George: By gum, this is interesting; I always loved history -- The
Battle of Hastings, Henry VIII and his six knives, all that.
Edmund: You see, Baldrick, in order to prevent war in Europe, two
superblocs developed: us, the French and the Russians on one side,
and the Germans and Austro-Hungary on the other. The idea was to have
two vast opposing armies, each acting as the other's deterrent. That
way there could never be a war.
Baldrick: But, this is a sort of a war, isn't it, sir?
Edmund: Yes, that's right. You see, there was a tiny flaw in the
plan.
George: What was that, sir?
Edmund: It was bollocks.
― Sam, Monday, 17 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)
A united Europe could be considered a 'superpower' but it would take
a good decade of teething problems before that would have much basis
in fact. I don't think there's any reason why multiple superpowers
couldn't co-exist without being on cold war footing. This is not
precisely answering the question.
― Tom, Monday, 17 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)
Would there be any support?
It seems to me that there are too many overarching business interests
concerned for this ever to be possible.
You don't have to look much further than the fact that there is a
massive media conglomerate, with vested interests in dissuading the
British from closer ties with Europe.
Because it controls the best selling tabloid, the Times (still the
'Newspaper of Record') Sky etc it would really be electoral suicide
for any British Government to move towards
― Allen, Monday, 17 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)
Well, I don't think Europe will be a superpower. Far too many
differences. Can you imagine the amount of time that would be spent
debating whether or not to tell America to eff off? and then what
language should the proposal be presented in? Wouldn't Eastern Europe
and Russia get pissed off? I think China will be a (is a) superpower.
― jel, Monday, 17 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)
I think China will be a (is a) superpower.
China must be secretly rather relieved at what has happened. Imagine
you're China. First, US missiles destroy your embassy in Belgrade. Then
a new president comes in with a defence review which turns the
spotlight on you as America's number one enemy. Then the new president
tears up the missile treaties which have ensured peace between the
superpowers by beginning a hasty Star Wars missile defence program,
thereby triggering a new arms race with you as one of the major implied
threats. Then terrorists attack the WTC and -- phew! -- you're off the
hook. Superpowers unite in their condemnation, and a raggle-taggle band
of mountain bandits replace you as Public Enemy Number 1. This happens,
conveniently, just six days before the WTO meets to decide whether you
can join its trade umbrella.
― Momus, Monday, 17 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)
China also keen for an excuse to squush its
ever-pesky Muslim minorities out in the
Western Lands.
― mark s, Monday, 17 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)
haven't russia and china been very wary of each other over the afghan
question for the last 3 or so years. neither wanted to take too much
of a lead, because of danger re the other. how will sino-rus
relations fare over future action?
― gareth, Monday, 17 September 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)
twenty-four years pass...