Is Russia still a great-power?

[_Jumper_]

It seems to be treated as such, however it has an economy that is worse than many "Third World" economies.

[YNGW]

1. You got a bunch of nukes...

...people sit up and take notice.

Kinda a perk of having lots of TNT.

[kalian]

2. Define "great power"....

Is it the fact that they can wipe us off the face of the planet...?
What is a "great power" nowadays? Is the US a "great power" when
jobs are being lost and the economy is going to shit? 44 MILLION
Americans don't have BASIC health insurance...
So...beating up on third and fourth rate nations makes the US
a "great power"? :shrug:

Makes one wonder, no?

[mb7588a]

3. I think it certainly has that potential.

But as it is now, no, not so great.

[Sandpiper]

4. I guess that depends on your point of view

Russia is not an economic powerhouse these days. However, with over 18,000 munitions, Russia has the world's largest nuclear arsenal, and for that reason, they're definitely not a nation to be trifled with.

[mikehiggins]

10. Russia has the world's largest nuclear arsenal?

That is certainly an interesting statistic.

Where does it come from?

[kalian]

12. Not quite "the" largest....

but in terms of ICBMs, they have the largest number of launch
systems and MIRV warheads.
The US has more SLBMs and ALCMs...but not by much.

They have enough to wipe us off the face of the planet...and that's
all that matters...

[realityboy]

5. There is only one great power at the moment

and thats the USA. But if by great you mean 2nd tier, then yes, Russia is a great power.

Russia may be economically backwards compared to many countries, but its still has a per capita GDP nearly twice that of the emerging superpower, China. It probably has greater natural resources than any other country, its just less good at exploiting them. It has huge untapped mineral fuel resources, something which will become increacingly important as world oil reserves dwindle. Geopolitically its size and strategic location make it important. It has a pretty large population. And of course it still has masses of military hardware from the Soviet era, especially nukes.

Theres the feeling now amongst many observers that after collapse of the Soviet Union and the chaos of the Yeltsin era, under Putin Russia is starting to get back on its feet, and along with China and India will be major rivals to Western power.

[kalian]

6. Could you please tell me WHY the US is a "great power"....?

:shrug:

Seriously...please, do enlighten us.

[ma4t]

15. getcha enlightenment right here

OK, since you asked "seriously" I'll bite.

The U.S is a "great power" as the phrase has been traditionally defined because it has the economic and military might to project force pretty much anywhere on the globe and enforce it's political will. There are many "minor powers" who can project force regionally and in the past there were more "great powers" than there are now. The U.K. was a "great power" during WWII but has receded somewhat so it is questionable whether or not she is still to be regarded as a "great power". The Falklands War showed that the U.K. can still project force over a long reach but it also stretched her capabilities to the limit.

Hope this was sufficient to enlighten you.

[kalian]

16. Hmmm..."project power"...how interesting....

Well, against third and fourth world nations...yeah, I would have
to agree. I'd like to see though how this is carried out against...
umm...China...or maybe even Russia.

Economic might....hmm...interesting... WHAT economic might? The
power to print US dollars out the wazoo without really backing it
with...like...ummm...PRODUCTION? You know...manufacturing goods.

Yeah, ok. Thanks for taking the bait. Next?

[ma4t]

17. more bait taking

Any military action against China or Russia would necessarily be much different than in Iraq, Kosovo or Haiti. This is simply because China and Russia are "powers" if not "great powers". Also, any conflict against a nuclear power would most likely be different than against a non-nuclear one. If you cannot see that then any further discussion is worthless.

As to economic might and "PRODUCTION", the U.S. still pretty much dominates the world economy, regardless of what you may believe. I live within 50 miles of three different automobile plants, run by two different companies. There are dozens of other manufacturing companies who supply components to those plants. A computer assembly facility is nearby; so is a book publisher. Another company close to me makes power tools and yet another makes lawn equipment. Perhaps my part of the country is atypical but it seems that there is a lot of manufacturing of goods close to me.

Have a good holiday.

[kalian]

18. Sure thing....wingnut....

;)

[MrPrax]

19. It's a good rap...

Makes one kinda nostelgic for the 60s what with the rollcall of 'manufacturers'

But as far 'projecting power'...um...the US couldn't even convince the Cameroons to vote for it's UN resolution...and that is definitely not the 1960s.

Could it be that the Reagan Era bluster of 'outspending' the commies actually backfired and Russia (indeed much of world) simply re-deployed it's economic strategies to refurbish it's infrastructure to compete in this century, as opposed to shining trophies and watching it's power grid, urban transit and highway system crumble from the last century?

[FDRrocks]

20. Very possible.

Powerful governments have powerful minds. It's very rare that one can guess thier intentions or how far ahead they think.

You bring up an interesting point.

[FDRrocks]

7. I agree Putin might put Russia on its feet again.

I hear he has authoritarian tendancies. As Germany proved about 70 years ago you can get alot working really quick in an authoritarian state.

I'm keeping my eye on Putin. I don't trust him.

[kalian]

8. And you trust Bush....?

:shrug:

[FDRrocks]

9. No.

That was a kind of pointless question.

[kalian]

11. Well then....

I would not worry too much about Putin right now. We have a purely
authoritarian individual who is quickly eroding our freedoms...right
here and right now.
Don't fall for the smoke and mirrors.... Remember where the real
threat resides.

[FDRrocks]

13. I know all this.

I was talking about Putin. If I wanted to talk about here I would say I don't trust Bush, don't trust the Senate, or Congresses.

I don't think Bush is an authoritarian. He is a Reaganite thug corporate puppet, that is all he will ever be, or at least have the chance to be, so long as we get the voting machines taken care of.

I have two eyes, and, being that I have a brain, I can worry about multiple things at any given time.

Thanks, though, honestly. :)

[arewethereyet]

14. clearly not what the USSR was but still a great power

easily on a par with France & Germany.