How does it feel to be the worlds’ only superpower?

34 comments

1. Pretty nice, but if others would stop complaining about it that’d be even better.

2. Like we got a big target in our back

3. I’m good, thanks.

4. Better than a lot of the alternatives.

   Most of us are just living our lives and while it does give us some advantages, its not like its something we dwell on.

5. Heavy is the head that wears the crown

6. I think most take it for granted.

   Being in that position, it’s natural that we get extra scrutiny. But that really should only pertain to our government, not our people. I’ve seen Redditors and others disparage our customs and our cuisine — things that would be the same regardless of our place in the world. That’s not acceptable.

7. What about china ?

8. I wish we were more of a force for good. We have great power, but I’ve got no illusions about our sense of responsibility.

   Also we’re not the only superpower. I don’t know if we’d win a conventional war with China.

9. It’s awesome, but at this point in our story it’s a lot like being born rich, the children never know what it’s like to be without. So they complain about every marginal inconvenience like it’s the end of the world.

10. Are we still? I know that’s the saying, but it doesn’t seem as obvious now as it did 20-30 years ago.

11. Indifferent. It never crosses my mind in my day to day life.

12. We do not understand the true implications of national decisions most of the time….because we don’t have too

    Kind of a shifty thing to say, but it’s true

13. On account of how all the old benefits that went along with being so powerful (ability to conquer and colonize others) it is a little overrated, especially when lesser nations demand we lift them up too. Still, it feels good knowing that 500 years from now, when historians and anthropologist discuss THE global superpower that had the most influence and capability that they will be talking about my nation. But this is no excuse to become lax; and we must always strive to be better.

14. Temporary.

15. I hate it. With all the money we spend to be it, we could fund healthcare, education, etc.

16. Expensive

17. As a veteran slightly proud I guess. As a libertarian horrified.

18. Heavy. It weighs one down.

19. It’s not something the average American thinks about, most are more concerned with

    * Work

    * Dinner

    * Bills

    * laundry

    * the dishes

    * the car

    * the house

    It can be frustrating when Europeans decide that our superpower status gives them carte blanche to criticize every single aspect of our lives.

20. It’s unhealthy. Every great empire falls eventually. There should also never be only one great power. We clearly don’t want to lose status because of the security and comfort it brings. On the other hand, if another country gains the same level of power as us, the consequences aren’t really desirable either. Either it’s an all and the rest of the world will have more pressure to fall in line or it’s and adversary and we have another Cold War

21. Reassuring and scary at the same time given the more extremist leaning politicians getting power.

22. Something that doesn’t ever cross my mind.

23. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.

24. Didn’t usually think about. It’s nice that we don’t have to worry about getting invaded ever. However it can be annoying that out food, culture etc is scrutinized by everyone. Like “is it true Americans eat this! “ other cultures eat and do weird stuff too but few people bring it up.

25. Uneasy. Years ago I thought it would be nice to shove the burden off on to some other superpower, and was foolishly happy about China being on the ascendant. Then I actually spent some time in China and came back far more scared about its rise, and reluctantly glad that the US was still the global superpower, given the alternatives.

    I do wish that the EU or some other similar polity with values I respect would take the mantle.

26. It’d be a better place to live if we weren’t.

27. Somebody’s gotta pay for all of that…

28. I think we are trusted to keep the peace and democracy in tact for our Allies and others. It’s lonely in that some countries that are Allies do not expend the money and the willpower necessary to bring even more stability. Germany is an example of that for me. China will start creating havoc in Asia but I don’t expect Germany to help as they are barely helping in Ukraine. There is just no way they will stand in any meaningful way for Asia unless there is money in it for them. So how do I feel, I feel we are abandoned a lot and not thanked for what we have done. I have become more of an isolationist than in the past but I do see what difference the US made for Ukraine. But they will forget too, just like Germany did.

29. I don’t feel like a citizen of the “world’s only superpower,” I feel like I’m in watching the rapid decline of America, and all our safety is in jeopardy. It’s not about ego! It’s about Peace, FREEDOM, and living a good life; things of America’s past.

30. Tbh although I criticize us for having an absurd military budget, it’s kind of nice knowing that no one could come close to harming us. I hate how we have a terrible reputation and many many people across the world hate us because of this status and what we’ve done in the past.

    Honestly tho I feel like were definitely slipping from this status if we don’t get our shit together and learn to work with one another again.

31. I feel like I’m stuck in a labor camp and forced to work to fund the psychopathic hegemonic tendencies of the ruling class.

32. Isn’t China considered a superpower?

33. Fuckin Rad bruh

34. Wait, I thought China was a superpower as well?

    As others have said, it is better than the alternative. But we are too busy with things going on in life to really let the fact sink in. Plus as an average citizen, it doesn’t give us any more power in our day to day lives.