Definition of a Superpower

Superpower

Definition of Superpower

In order to be a super power, a nation should be compatible to United States of America, which is the world's super power after World War II. America has been on this position from a long span of time and is a dominant state that has the ability to project power on the worldwide scale. Due to the strong hold of USA, it was assumed by many that no growing nation can replace America and take its place as a superpower.

The perception of the people however has changed in recent decades and since past forty years; The People's Republic of China (PRC) has started emerging as a nation that is ascending towards the superpower status. According to a recent poll conducted by CNN, 58% of the Americans are looking at China as an economic superpower and a threat to the United States (Shim, 2012). There are many economical, political and military reasons behind this rapid ascent along with the China's stable and large population that have encouraged experts to predict that soon China will leave behind America and become a new superpower in next few years.

In this era of recession when most of the America's economy is facing downfall; the large American corporations are investing billions of dollars in China. Moreover, many factories and businesses have settled in China that would have started in America, contributing towards the development and employment. Due to these activities, China's foreign direct investment (FDI) is continuously increasing. According to the LI & FUNG Research Centre, the foreign direct investment of China rose by 17.4% in 2010, which a high record of U.S.$105.7 billion (Chin and Chenug, 2011). The reports further claimed that around half of this amount was invested for the development of businesses and factories.

In 2010, China invested a recording figure of $54.4 in clean energy, which is more than any other nation in the world. Currently, China is also the largest manufacturer of solar energy units and wind turbines across the globe. Looking at these achievement of China, General Electric also invested $2 billion with China in 2010 (Kix, 2011) in order to establish more clean tech companies and increase the employment for Chinese people.

Looking at China's quick development and success and the availability of good opportunities, the Chinese professionals are giving their skills and expertise to China, instead of going abroad. This is the reason that China has become world's clean tech leader, made the fastest computer of the world, fastest train of the world and much more. Chinese workers are also playing an active role; they are more ambitious than American women are and more in ratio compared to American women.

1n 1978, just three decades back, China was ranked 32nd, doing imports and exports of $20 billion which was less than 1% of the world trade (Chin and Chenug, 2011). Surprisingly, in 2010, China was the recorded as the world's largest exporter and second largest importer. According to China General Administration of Customs and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce; In year 2010 China did an export of 10.4% and imports of 9.1% in the world's commodity exports and world commodity imports respectively (Chin and Chenug, 2011) which made it world largest exporter and second largest importer.

Not only in the economic area but China has also significantly improved its military conditions and has almost doubled its military spending in the recent years. It has modernized its armed forces and spent a large sum on defense. According to the report of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China increased its defense spending from $30 billion in 2000 to $120 billion in 2010 (Sim 2012). America's defense budget is four and half times more than China but if China continues to extend its budget figure than its military budget will overtake the America's budget in 2035 (Sim 2012).

Along with focusing on the defense side, Chinese leaders have adopted the policy of peaceful world relations, making route to their success. Their stabled economy and political standards have created a major concern for the whole world. Chinese government is playing an important role in establishing friendly relations with the other nations of the world. It is promoting the Chinese language through different programs and announcing publically about the China's reformations to its policies. These political, economic and military achievements of China have encouraged people to think and believe that China fits to be the next super power.

A superpower state or nation is the one, which is capable of influencing other nations and the international markets. A superpower state is a step ahead than the great power. It can also be described as a nation that is able to dominate other nations, through the foundation of political, economical and military strengths. However, China is not stronger than America in terms of political and military factors but its continuous increase in military spending and establishment of friendly relations with all countries of the world; gives a sign that in it will take over the super power status from America in coming years.

Contrary to this approach, some experts are looking at the opposite side of the story. They believe that China will not be able to handle this sharp rise in power and a huge global disaster will appear when the economy of China will collapse. This disaster will result in unforeseen consequences that will affect the entire globe. The huge population of China, which is around 20% of the world, will create several problems, including refuge problems, internal conflicts, increasing crime and a bag of other complexities that will almost be impossible to manage simultaneously.