Japan announced its World War II surrender 60 years ago today. That date marks the height of America's power relative to the rest of the world. The US had defeated its enemies. The war left previous world powers, Germany and the United Kingdom, in shambles. The US alone had the bomb. The US GDP eclipsed the GDPs of the USSR, the UK, Germany, France, Japan, Italy, and Austria combined. Even more than upon the Soviet Union's collapse, or on 9/10, or today--when the US is commonly referred to as the world's lone superpower--recent American power can't compare to the power it held on August 15, 1945. Though US power has grown in absolute terms, it has unquestionably and inevitably declined in relative terms. Perhaps less significant than the power was how America used it (If not an American Century, consider the alternatives: The Nazi Century? The Soviet Century? The Century of British Empire?). The US rebuilt rather than gouged its enemies. The American Century that Henry Luce proclaimed on February 7, 1941 never rang so true than on the day Japan surrendered.

Dan, its worth noting that very few, if any, nations in history other than the U.S. in the last 100 years, have waged armed conflicts, and when victorious, have used their own capital to help the vanquished rebuild their nations. Even in the mid-19th century when we fought with Mexico, we provided payment for the lands we took in conquest.

Happy VJ Day!

USA!USA!USA!

Nobody really remembers Japan. Whether it be what kids learn in school or what Hollywood puts on the silver screen, emphasis is always on the Nazis.

"--recent American power can't compare to the power it held on August 15, 1945. Though US power has grown in absolute terms, it has unquestionably and inevitably declined in relative terms."
The only reason it has declined is weve become such a politically correct, candy ass-touchy feely of a nation. The Liberals, the ACLU, Affermative action, PETA, NOW and every other crap movement has ruined America as a global superpower

The concept of America as a strong, self sufficient Superpower has been compromised over the years and sold to the highest bidder by politicians who spout "America First" but kneel to Globalism and the profits it provides and are complicit with corporations who have no allegiance to any country who they can do more lucrative business with.

Liberalism and Globalism are killing the golden goose that was America.

The US while stronger in absolute terms is less powerful relative to the rest of the world than it was at the end of WWII. The USA is also less powerful, in relative terms, than the former British empire. At its height, the British empire controlled about 25% of the world's land mass and about 33% of its population. The US only controls about 5% of the earth's population and about the same percentage of its land.

The USA is commonly known as the world's lone super power. If American policy makers believe this, they are dangerously deluding themselves and it may lead to bad policy. If the American people believe this, they are deluding themselves and they may be led to support erroneous policies. Militarily and politically the United States is checked by Russia's nuclear arsenal and by China's huge numbers. Economically and politically the United States is checked by the fact that many countries who do not necessarily have its interest at heart control the oil that is necessary to make its economy go. The United States is certainly a very powerful country that has a great deal of world wide influence but this country is no super power. The government needs to do more to counteract the myth that the United States is a super power. Its not true and the belief in this falsehood is contributing to anti-Americanism around the world. The sooner the government acts to counteract this myth the better.

Great talking points B. Poster. All the more necessary since the pencil you wrote them with was probably "made in China", eh?

Jeremiah

The pencils we write with probably are probably made in China, however, the observations are my own and are not gleaned from someone else's talking points. I am merely trying to draw attention to the folly that can result if decision makers, the media, and the American citizens over estimate American power. America, as the world's lone super power or even that America is a super power is untrue. If people persist in believeing this, I am concerned it may lead to a false sense of security.

B. Poster, I was just trying to underline not undermine your very important points. Pls forgive any confusion.

All these Chinese goods on our market seem like a kind of economic "boring from within" (a Leninist catch-phrase used to describe the Marxist need to infiltrate liberal institutions in order to eventually topple them).

The Chinese will prevail ahead of us. They are smarter, tougher, not bogged down by a touchy feely P.C. culture and they are hungrier to succeed than we are.

Jeremiah,

I apologize for getting a little jumpy. After reading your post again, it seems quite clear what you were trying to do.

Confucious,

The political correctness that you point out which dominates America serves to further check American power. Unfortunately I think China does have more clarity in its purpose than America does. If America wishes to survive and remain a powerful country, it will need to develop moral confidence in its position. I think we can do this, if we do a better job of educating people of what the stakes are.

The stakes are powerful forces, such as Russia, China, and others are actively seeking to undermine America's position. I'm NOT saying we need to go to war or threaten war with any of these people. I am suggesting that we be dilegent and on guard.

Remilitarize Japan? Security Council seat for Japan?

Remilitarize Japan? As I recall this idea was examined back in the early 90s or late 80s but Japan's neighbors remembering WW2 were not keen on the idea. My memory is sketchy on this. Given current geo political realities, I think remilitarizing Japan would be a good idea. Currently Japan faces the same threats we and our allies face. A remilitarized Japan would be a big help when dealing with potential adversaries, such as Russia and China. Security council seat for Japan? I don't think it could hurt us. In fact, I think it could only help us. Currently Russia, China, and France will generally work against us. Britain is our ally. We are outnumbered 3-2 here. If we put Japan on the UN security council. this would probably make it 3-3. Of course I think to add someone to the UN security council would have to be approved by the other members of the council. I could be wrong of course. Foreign policy is a very complicated business. I could easily see how remilitarizing Japan and supporting a seat on the security council for Japan could backfire and do more harm than good.

What do the Administration, and Bolton, think about giving Japan more "ummph"?

"What do the administration and John Bolton think about giving Japan more 'umph'?" I'm not sure. Japan has contributed money and troops to Iraq and they have geneerally been a very good ally. The administration should be inclined to help them in whatever way is reasonably possible. From my perspective, this administration has made a number of errors. I'm not even sure I trust them. Having written that, I think the administration should support giving Japan more umph. Actually I think it is probably inevitable that Japan will remilitarize itself. There appears to be growing pressure among the Japanese for the Americans forces to leave their country. As the American military leaves, the Japanese will need to replace them with their own military. As Japan is strengthened, American troops can pull back further. I would also support strengthening South Korea and Taiwan. If our allies are stronger militarily, this would relieve some of the pressure on the American military. The Western world has neglected its military readiness for far too long. This will need to change. Of course any foreign policy is fraught with risk, so I could be wrong.