Why, in the Long Run, the United States ISN’T Absolutely Fucked?

by Robert Koehler on October 5, 2007

French intellectual Guy Sorman says the US, not China, will dominate the 21st century.

Well, I can sleep better at night now.

(HT to reader)

{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

1 eunsung October 5, 2007 at 9:21 am: Disclaimer: I didn’t actually read the article, but I was at the lecture.

He says that the US higher education system will keep us on top, but he also calls the High Schools a “disaster.” Combined with the low interest of American students in the University, and the excessive numbers of foreigners in our schools, I don’t know if the schools will make enough difference.

The threat won’t be from China, however.
2 Hugh October 5, 2007 at 3:44 pm: He didn’t factor peak oil and the ‘long emergency’ in.
3 R. Elgin October 5, 2007 at 3:44 pm: True eunsung, the real threat is from an indifferent populace and a lack of qualitative standards. When I look at so-called American culture nowadays, I am unimpressed. Foreigners that come to America often do better than natives in many instances due to the inherent laziness of the “status quo”. It is probably the immigrants to America that revitalize America more so than any other group today.
4 judge judy October 6, 2007 at 1:14 am: Foreigners that come to America often do better than natives in many instances due to the inherent laziness of the “status quo”.

that has often been the case in american history. however, this phenomenon is even more apparent in canada these days, most notably toronto and vancouver where immigrants run the majority of new, innovative businesses.
5 peninsular aborigine October 6, 2007 at 5:04 pm: Besides the creative use of prisoners’ organs and the creative suppression of rights, is there any evidence that the Chinese are agents of change, i.e. that they will lead and be benchmarked by others?

PS: I would not be surprised if an effective boycott of the Beijing Olympics will occur.
6 Janus October 7, 2007 at 8:46 am: If America is dependent on immigants for continued growth, innovation, and development, then we can at least be glad that we are infinitely better at attracting immigrants than any Asian country–particularly the ones that are run by tyrants.

China will never be a destination for immigrants the way America is. It’s simply too poor, too dirty, too oppressive, and too racist.

I think America might get some modicum of optimism back after W & Co. leave the White House for the cushy lobbying jobs history books.
7 Janus October 7, 2007 at 8:51 am: Our higher education system does indeed remain awesome. Just check out all those “world university rankings” that, regardless of their specious methodologies, consistently place US institutions at the top.

Korea has “Love Story at Harvard.” Anybody have a “Love Story at Peking University?”

The Ivy League, Stanford, Chicago, Georgetown, Duke, Berkeley, MIT, CalTech…these may be among our most valuable strategic assets in the 21st century.