There are many reasons why America is a superpower. Some have called it the only remaining superpower. Still others have called it a hyperpower. How has this happened? Why did it happen? There have been no international wars on American soil since the 1860's. America lives peacefully with its two adjoining neighbors, Canada and Mexico. There is nearly a 4, 200 kilo meter unprotected border to the north, and except for tensions over illegal Mexican immigration across its southern border, there are generally friendly relations with Mexico. Over the last several decades, American economic progress was more often positive than negative. The US' democratic ideals and freedoms have played a big part in its dominance in the world. The federal system of checks and balances between the executive, legislature, and judicial branches is a part of these democratic ideals and freedoms. America has faced major difficulties at home and abroad and most often has met these challenges fairly successfully. The Soviet Union's effort to keep up with the US in terms of nuclear and conventional military strength while at the same time providing for its own citizens caused its collapse as the only former superpower with the US.
At the same time, we must acknowledge that American interests internationally have often conflicted with those of other countries, sometimes with its own closest allies. The US has overwhelming military strength., military buildups, and its contributions to the successful conclusion of some international conflict. are acknowledged. Over the last several years, this power has been utilized in a sometimes highly arrogant fashion that led both enemies and friends to feel that the terrorist attacks in the early twenty-first century against the United States were terrible but perhaps justified.
An interesting question arises: will the US be a strategic rival or partner with other former superpowers such as the current Russia, or with the emerging strength of China? Hopefully, America and China, as well as America and Russia, will be friendly allies and partners for the long term instead of strategic competitors. In the next several years, will China join the US as a major superpower? And if so, will they both continue to live in peace and harmony? Ideally, the answer must be yes at least to the latter question.