Changes

'''1.''' Ocean moats,<ref>https://sonar21.com/niger-coup-a-contrived-crisis-or-a-major-cia-goof-and-my-interview-on-a-russian-morning-show/#comment-146860</ref> two big oceans and a friendly northern neighbor with a big land mass to help protect it. Additionally, the United States ability to project [[military]] power abroad.

'''1.''' Ocean moats,<ref>https://sonar21.com/niger-coup-a-contrived-crisis-or-a-major-cia-goof-and-my-interview-on-a-russian-morning-show/#comment-146860</ref> two big oceans and a friendly northern neighbor with a big land mass to help protect it. Additionally, the United States ability to project [[military]] power abroad.

'''2.''' Abundant natural resources. See: [https://www.thebalancemoney.com/how-natural-resources-boost-the-u-s-economy-3306228 U.S. Natural Resources].  The United States is one of the world’s leading producers of energy,<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States/Transportation United States - Strengths and weaknesses]</ref> behind [[Russia]].

'''2.''' Abundant natural resources. See: [https://www.thebalancemoney.com/how-natural-resources-boost-the-u-s-economy-3306228 U.S. Natural Resources].  The United States is one of the world's leading producers of energy,<ref name="britannica.com">[https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States/Transportation United States - Strengths and weaknesses]</ref> behind [[Russia]].

'''3.''' The United States is a highly developed mixed-[[socialist]] and [[market economy]],<ref>A "[[mixed economy]]" is defined as part [[socialist]] and part [[capitalist]].</ref> and according to some measures, has the world's largest nominal [[GDP]]. Additionally, in advanced economies, there is a high correlation between the size of a country's working-age population and its GNP. Rather than natural increase,<ref>64 million child have been [[abort]]ed in America since 1973.</ref> the United States has opted to increase its working population through legal and [[illegal immigration]] over time as it has [[open borders]] to attract working-age immigrants.<ref>[https://www.sas.upenn.edu/~jesusfv/Wealth_Working_Nations.pdf ''The Wealth of Working Nations''] by Jesus Fernandez-Villaverde, Gustavo Ventura, and Wen Yao,  Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania, 2023</ref>  

'''3.''' The United States is a highly developed mixed-[[socialist]] and [[market economy]],<ref>A "[[mixed economy]]" is defined as part [[socialist]] and part [[capitalist]].</ref> and according to some measures, has the world's largest nominal [[GDP]]. Additionally, in advanced economies, there is a high correlation between the size of a country's working-age population and its GNP. Rather than natural increase,<ref>64 million child have been [[abort]]ed in America since 1973.</ref> the United States has opted to increase its working population through legal and [[illegal immigration]] over time as it has [[open borders]] to attract working-age immigrants.<ref>[https://www.sas.upenn.edu/~jesusfv/Wealth_Working_Nations.pdf ''The Wealth of Working Nations''] by Jesus Fernandez-Villaverde, Gustavo Ventura, and Wen Yao,  Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania, 2023</ref>  

Theoretically (see [[liberal claptrap]]) a highly diverse economy can better weather various shocks that adversely affects various sectors of an economy (See: [https://www.amarilloedc.com/blog/the-importance-of-a-diversified-economy#:~:text=A%20diversified%20economy%20creates%20a,the%20growth%20of%20supporting%20industries. The Importance Of A Diversified Economy] and [https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/m1/en/reports/strategyand-resilient-stable-sustainable-benefits-economic-diversification.pdf ''Resilient, stable, sustainable: The benefits of economic diversification'']). ''[[The Hill]]'' indicates the USA's economy "is highly diversified. The five [https://www.statista.com/statistics/248004/percentage-added-to-the-us-gdp-by-industry/#:~:text=U.S.%20share%20of%20value%20added%20to%20GDP%202022%2C%20by%20industry&text=In%202022%2C%20the%20finance%2C%20insurance,GDP%20in%20the%20same%20year. largest industries], which account for about two-thirds of GDP, are dispersed. This lessens the impact of a shock on the overall economy because some industries fare better than others. It is the basis for the argument that the U.S. economy is experiencing a '[https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/how-a-rolling-recession-or-a-richcession-could-spare-the-rest-of-the-economy-from-a-downturn#:~:text=It's%20a%20rolling%20recession,avoid%20a%20full%2Dfledged%20recession. rolling recession].'" (A rolling recession is a situation in which only some industries shrink while the overall economy manages to stay above water).<ref>[https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/4218495-what-makes-the-us-economy-so-resilient/#:~:text=First%2C%20the%20economy%20is%20highly,industries%20fare%20better%20than%20others. What makes the US economy so resilient?], The Hill, 2023</ref> The USA was the most economically diverse economy in the world from 2000 to 2021 according to Global Economic Diverse Index (In other words, not having too many eggs in a small amount of baskets).<ref>[https://economicdiversification.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Global-Economic-Diversification-Index-2023_Full-report_WEB.pdf Global Economic Diverse Index report in 2023]</ref> The USA was among the 10 most diverse economies in 2018 according to the Word Atlas website (Diversified in terms of industry sectors).<ref>[https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/countries-with-the-most-diverse-economies.html#:~:text=Most%20Diverse%20Economies-,Japan,the%20sophistication%20of%20its%20exports. Countries With The Most Diverse Economies]</ref>

Theoretically (see [[liberal claptrap]]) a highly diverse economy can better weather various shocks that adversely affects various sectors of an economy (See: [https://www.amarilloedc.com/blog/the-importance-of-a-diversified-economy#:~:text=A%20diversified%20economy%20creates%20a,the%20growth%20of%20supporting%20industries. The Importance Of A Diversified Economy] and [https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/m1/en/reports/strategyand-resilient-stable-sustainable-benefits-economic-diversification.pdf ''Resilient, stable, sustainable: The benefits of economic diversification'']). ''[[The Hill]]'' indicates the USA's economy "is highly diversified. The five [https://www.statista.com/statistics/248004/percentage-added-to-the-us-gdp-by-industry/#:~:text=U.S.%20share%20of%20value%20added%20to%20GDP%202022%2C%20by%20industry&text=In%202022%2C%20the%20finance%2C%20insurance,GDP%20in%20the%20same%20year. largest industries], which account for about two-thirds of GDP, are dispersed. This lessens the impact of a shock on the overall economy because some industries fare better than others. It is the basis for the argument that the U.S. economy is experiencing a '[https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/how-a-rolling-recession-or-a-richcession-could-spare-the-rest-of-the-economy-from-a-downturn#:~:text=It's%20a%20rolling%20recession,avoid%20a%20full%2Dfledged%20recession. rolling recession].'" (A rolling recession is a situation in which only some industries shrink while the overall economy manages to stay above water).<ref name="thehill.com">[https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/4218495-what-makes-the-us-economy-so-resilient/#:~:text=First%2C%20the%20economy%20is%20highly,industries%20fare%20better%20than%20others. What makes the US economy so resilient?], The Hill, 2023</ref> The USA was the most economically diverse economy in the world from 2000 to 2021 according to Global Economic Diverse Index (In other words, not having too many eggs in a small amount of baskets).<ref name="economicdiversification.com">[https://economicdiversification.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Global-Economic-Diversification-Index-2023_Full-report_WEB.pdf Global Economic Diverse Index report in 2023]</ref> The USA was among the 10 most diverse economies in 2018 according to the Word Atlas website (Diversified in terms of industry sectors).<ref name="worldatlas.com">[https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/countries-with-the-most-diverse-economies.html#:~:text=Most%20Diverse%20Economies-,Japan,the%20sophistication%20of%20its%20exports. Countries With The Most Diverse Economies]</ref>

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'''4.''' An above-average constitution with a [[separation of powers]], a [[Bill of Rights|bill of rights]] and the [[Electoral College|electoral college system]] that supposedly gives rural people influence (See [[voter fraud]] and [[DC gulag]]). And because the U.S. Constitution establishes a federal system, its state governments enjoy extensive authority.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States/Transportation United States - Strengths and weaknesses]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4eIbWdfdZk Should You Be Bullish on America?]</ref>   

'''4.''' An above-average constitution with a [[separation of powers]], a [[Bill of Rights|bill of rights]] and the [[Electoral College|electoral college system]] that supposedly gives rural people influence (See [[voter fraud]] and [[DC gulag]]). And because the U.S. Constitution establishes a federal system, its state governments enjoy extensive authority.<ref name="britannica.com"/><ref name="Should You Be Bullish on America">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4eIbWdfdZk Should You Be Bullish on America?]</ref>   

Please see the videos:

Please see the videos:

Research indicates that in the long-term, non-[[authoritarianism|authoritarian]] countries are more likely to experience greater economic growth. See: [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1010748 Time Under Authoritarian Rule and Economic Growth], CORI Working Paper No. 2007-02. Additionally, there is research indicating that economies disrupted by political turmoil/unrest grow at an average rate 2 percentage points slower than those that are untroubled, with a persistent lag in the growth rate of 1 to 2 percentage points in the succeeding year.<ref>[https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/africaatlse/2023/11/16/chinese-investment-in-ghana-is-entering-a-new-stage/ Institutions are catalysts for economic development and stability in Africa], The London School of Economics and Political Science website</ref><ref>[https://dartthrowingchimp.wordpress.com/2013/07/11/coups-slow-economic-growth/#:~:text=As%20the%20first%20set%20of%20charts%20shows%2C%20in,economies%20of%20similar%20countries%20that%20don%E2%80%99t%20suffer%20coups. Coups Slow Economic Growth]</ref> (See [[Bidenomics]] and [[Biden recession]]).

Research indicates that in the long-term, non-[[authoritarianism|authoritarian]] countries are more likely to experience greater economic growth. See: [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1010748 Time Under Authoritarian Rule and Economic Growth], CORI Working Paper No. 2007-02. Additionally, there is research indicating that economies disrupted by political turmoil/unrest grow at an average rate 2 percentage points slower than those that are untroubled, with a persistent lag in the growth rate of 1 to 2 percentage points in the succeeding year.<ref>[https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/africaatlse/2023/11/16/chinese-investment-in-ghana-is-entering-a-new-stage/ Institutions are catalysts for economic development and stability in Africa], The London School of Economics and Political Science website</ref><ref>[https://dartthrowingchimp.wordpress.com/2013/07/11/coups-slow-economic-growth/#:~:text=As%20the%20first%20set%20of%20charts%20shows%2C%20in,economies%20of%20similar%20countries%20that%20don%E2%80%99t%20suffer%20coups. Coups Slow Economic Growth]</ref> (See [[Bidenomics]] and [[Biden recession]]).

[[File:LGBTQ acceptance map by country.png|800px|right|thumb|2018 map of the collective West and "[[LGBT]] acceptance". The countries marjked in red arrows resisted [[Russian sanctions]] after 2022.]]

[[File:LGBTQ acceptance map by country.png|800px|right|thumb|2018 map of the collective West and "[[LGBT]] acceptance". The countries marjked in red arrows resisted [[Russian sanctions]] after 2022.]]

'''5.''' A declining [[Christian]] population (see: [[Christianity and social stability]]).  The percentage of Americans who consider themselves regular members of a house of worship was 47% in 2020 compared to 73% in 1937, the first year the [[Gallup Poll]] asked the question. <ref>[https://thepoliticalinsider.com/what-does-the-decline-in-american-christians-mean-for-the-us/ What Does The Decline In American Christians Mean For The US?], Kathleen J. Anderson, Mar 5, 2024. thepoliticalinsider.com</ref> In 2020, the percentage of Americans who claimed to have no religious preference was 21%, a sharp increase from just 20 years prior when only 8% of Americans said they were without a religious affiliation. A Pew Research Center study found that about 30% of Americans are considered “nones,” which comprise a compilation of atheists, agnostics, or the predominant crowd signified as “nothing in particular.”<ref>[https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2024/01/24/religious-nones-in-america-who-they-are-and-what-they-believe/ Religious ‘Nones’ in America: Who They Are and What They Believe], Pew Research Center, JANUARY 24, 2024. www.pewresearch.org</ref>

'''5.''' A declining [[Christian]] population (see: [[Christianity and social stability]]).  The percentage of Americans who consider themselves regular members of a house of worship was 47% in 2020 compared to 73% in 1937, the first year the [[Gallup Poll]] asked the question.<ref>[https://thepoliticalinsider.com/what-does-the-decline-in-american-christians-mean-for-the-us/ What Does The Decline In American Christians Mean For The US?], Kathleen J. Anderson, Mar 5, 2024. thepoliticalinsider.com</ref> In 2020, the percentage of Americans who claimed to have no religious preference was 21%, a sharp increase from just 20 years prior when only 8% of Americans said they were without a religious affiliation. A Pew Research Center study found that about 30% of Americans are considered “nones,” which comprise a compilation of atheists, agnostics, or the predominant crowd signified as “nothing in particular.”<ref>[https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2024/01/24/religious-nones-in-america-who-they-are-and-what-they-believe/ Religious ‘Nones’ in America: Who They Are and What They Believe], Pew Research Center, JANUARY 24, 2024. www.pewresearch.org</ref>

'''6.''' Many innovative people per capita (See: [https://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/topics/latest-news/2020/june/usa-still-patent-superpower-but-china-is-catching-up-fast USA still patent Superpower – But China is catching up fast], 2020). The USA is one of the largest consumer markets of the world and U.S. inventors receive less than half of  U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) [[patent]]s.<ref>[https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20201/invention-innovation-and-perceptions-of-science The State of U.S. Science and Engineering 2020]</ref>

'''6.''' Many innovative people per capita (See: [https://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/topics/latest-news/2020/june/usa-still-patent-superpower-but-china-is-catching-up-fast USA still patent Superpower – But China is catching up fast], 2020). The USA is one of the largest consumer markets of the world and U.S. inventors receive less than half of  U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) [[patent]]s.<ref>[https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20201/invention-innovation-and-perceptions-of-science The State of U.S. Science and Engineering 2020]</ref>

Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, the United Kingdom and Singapore are the world’s most innovative economies in 2023, according to WIPO’s Global Innovation Index (GII), as a group of middle-income economies have emerged over the past decade as the fastest climbers of the ranking according to this measurement.<ref>[https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2019-08-08/us-returns-to-top-3-in-global-innovation-ranking The U.S. Is (Again) Among the World's Top Innovators], U.S. News and World Report, 2023</ref><ref>[https://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2023/article_0011.html#:~:text=The%20United%20States%20(3rd,80%20GII%202023%20innovation%20indicators. Global Innovation Index 2023: Switzerland, Sweden and the U.S. lead the Global Innovation Ranking; Innovation Robust but Startup Funding Increasingly Uncertain]</ref><ref>[https://www.statista.com/chart/18804/rankings-of-the-global-innovation-index/The World's Most Innovative Countries], Statista website, 2023</ref>

Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, the United Kingdom and Singapore are the world's most innovative economies in 2023, according to WIPO's Global Innovation Index (GII), as a group of middle-income economies have emerged over the past decade as the fastest climbers of the ranking according to this measurement.<ref>[https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2019-08-08/us-returns-to-top-3-in-global-innovation-ranking The U.S. Is (Again) Among the World's Top Innovators], U.S. News and World Report, 2023</ref><ref>[https://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2023/article_0011.html#:~:text=The%20United%20States%20(3rd,80%20GII%202023%20innovation%20indicators. Global Innovation Index 2023: Switzerland, Sweden and the U.S. lead the Global Innovation Ranking; Innovation Robust but Startup Funding Increasingly Uncertain]</ref><ref>[https://www.statista.com/chart/18804/rankings-of-the-global-innovation-index/The World's Most Innovative Countries], Statista website, 2023</ref>

On September 27, 2023, the [[fake news]] site ''Yahoo Finance'' reported in their news article about the U.S. economy and [[artificial intelligence]] (AI): ''Those ‘bullish indicators’ include the opportunities remaining for those yet to reap the benefits of AI, a ‘renaissance’ for US manufacturing'': "Those ‘bullish indicators’ include the opportunities remaining for those yet to reap the benefits of AI, a ‘renaissance’ for US manufacturing...".<ref>[https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bank-america-says-bullish-indicators-151739823.html ''Those ‘bullish indicators’ include the opportunities remaining for those yet to reap the benefits of AI, a ‘renaissance’ for US manufacturing''], Yahoo Finance, September 27, 2023</ref> According to [[Goldman Sachs]], generative AI could increase global GDP by 7%.<ref>[https://www.goldmansachs.com/intelligence/pages/generative-ai-could-raise-global-gdp-by-7-percent.html Generative AI could increase global GDP by 7%], Goldman Sachs</ref>

On September 27, 2023, the [[fake news]] site ''Yahoo Finance'' reported in their news article about the U.S. economy and [[artificial intelligence]] (AI): ''Those ‘bullish indicators’ include the opportunities remaining for those yet to reap the benefits of AI, a ‘renaissance’ for US manufacturing'': "Those ‘bullish indicators’ include the opportunities remaining for those yet to reap the benefits of AI, a ‘renaissance’ for US manufacturing...".<ref>[https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bank-america-says-bullish-indicators-151739823.html ''Those ‘bullish indicators’ include the opportunities remaining for those yet to reap the benefits of AI, a ‘renaissance’ for US manufacturing''], Yahoo Finance, September 27, 2023</ref> According to [[Goldman Sachs]], generative AI could increase global GDP by 7%.<ref>[https://www.goldmansachs.com/intelligence/pages/generative-ai-could-raise-global-gdp-by-7-percent.html Generative AI could increase global GDP by 7%], Goldman Sachs</ref>

Russia's President [[Vladimir Putin]], a frequent critic of [[U.S. foreign policy]], praised American openness, open-mindedness and creativity: "I like the creativity. Creativity when it comes to tackling your country's problems. They're openness. Openness and open-mindedness. Because it allows them to unleash the inner potential of their people. And because of that America has achieved such amazing results."<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6426OZFzcvM Preview: Vladimir Putin reveals what he admires about America], [[CBS News]], 2016</ref>

Russia's President [[Vladimir Putin]], a frequent critic of [[U.S. foreign policy]], praised American openness, open-mindedness and creativity: "I like the creativity. Creativity when it comes to tackling your country's problems. They're openness. Openness and open-mindedness. Because it allows them to unleash the inner potential of their people. And because of that America has achieved such amazing results."<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6426OZFzcvM Preview: Vladimir Putin reveals what he admires about America], [[CBS News]], 2016</ref>

'''7.''' A younger population relative to other developed countries and lots of [[illegal immigrant]]s from around the world. According to neocon propagandist [[Peter Zeihan]], both the USA and New Zealand have a unique and favorable demographic in terms of age relative to other developed countries (See: [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUvJPdHqYYiHaspPfyBkYLqYfiOXHyduu Peter Zeihan's demography series]).  

'''7.''' A younger population relative to other developed countries and lots of [[illegal immigrant]]s from around the world. According to neocon propagandist [[Peter Zeihan]], both the US and New Zealand have a unique and favorable demographic in terms of age relative to other developed countries (See: [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUvJPdHqYYiHaspPfyBkYLqYfiOXHyduu Peter Zeihan's demography series]).  

[[File:Road to serfdom.jpg|400px|thumb|Economist [[F.A. Hayek]] warned against Keynesian economics and how it would lead to  [[fascism]] in his seminal 1945 tract, ''[[The Road to Serfdom]]''. See [[Fascism and the New Deal]].]]

[[File:Road to serfdom.jpg|400px|thumb|Economist [[F.A. Hayek]] warned against Keynesian economics and how it would lead to  [[fascism]] in his seminal 1945 tract, ''[[The Road to Serfdom]]''. See [[Fascism and the New Deal]].]]

'''8.''' [[Keynesian economics]] and [[deficit spending]]. In terms of the [[Labor productivity]], the U.S. labor market is in line with those of other developed countries.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States/Transportation United States - Strengths and weaknesses]</ref> ''The Hill'' cites the [[U.S. Commerce Dept.]] Bureau of Economic Analysis:

'''8.''' [[Keynesian economics]] and [[deficit spending]]. In terms of the [[Labor productivity]], the U.S. labor market is in line with those of other developed countries.<ref name="britannica.com"/> ''The Hill'' cites the [[U.S. Commerce Dept.]] Bureau of Economic Analysis:

{{Cquote|...the U.S. labor force is highly flexible. During the two oil shocks in the 1970s and 1980s, there were large migrations of workers out of the Rust Belt and into the Sun Belt. Thereafter, labor mobility lessened as this migration ran its course. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck and workers lost their jobs or became housebound, many became self-employed and entered the gig workforce.

{{Cquote|...the U.S. labor force is highly flexible. During the two oil shocks in the 1970s and 1980s, there were large migrations of workers out of the Rust Belt and into the Sun Belt. Thereafter, labor mobility lessened as this migration ran its course. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck and workers lost their jobs or became housebound, many became self-employed and entered the gig workforce.

This is testimony to the rapid expansion of the digital economy in America. The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that as of 2018, it accounted for 9.0 percent of GDP and 5.7 percent of jobs. It is the fastest-growing sector since 2006, with an average annual growth rate of 6.8 percent, or four times more than the overall economy.<ref>[https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/4218495-what-makes-the-us-economy-so-resilient/#:~:text=First%2C%20the%20economy%20is%20highly,industries%20fare%20better%20than%20others. What makes the US economy so resilient?], The Hill, 2023</ref>}}   

This is testimony to the rapid expansion of the digital economy in America. The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that as of 2018, it accounted for 9.0 percent of GDP and 5.7 percent of jobs. It is the fastest-growing sector since 2006, with an average annual growth rate of 6.8 percent, or four times more than the overall economy.<ref name="thehill.com">[https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/4218495-what-makes-the-us-economy-so-resilient/#:~:text=First%2C%20the%20economy%20is%20highly,industries%20fare%20better%20than%20others. What makes the US economy so resilient?], The Hill, 2023</ref>}}   

According to [[Wikipedia]] and the [[World Bank]], the United States is a "high-income economy".<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Bank_high-income_economy World Bank high-income economy]</ref> A high-income economy is defined as a country that has a gross national income per capita of US$13,845 or more in 2022 that is calculated using the Atlas method (The Atlas method, employed by the World Bank since 1993, is used to approximate the economic size of nations in terms of their gross national income (GNI) in U.S. dollars.).<ref>[https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519#High_income Country and Lending Groups]. World Bank. Accessed 2023.</ref> China and Russia are upper middle-income countries.<ref>[The World Bank In China], World Bank</ref><ref>[https://data.worldbank.org/country/RU Russian Federation], World Bank</ref>

According to [[Wikipedia]] and the [[World Bank]], the United States is a "high-income economy".<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Bank_high-income_economy World Bank high-income economy]</ref> A high-income economy is defined as a country that has a gross national income per capita of US$13,845 or more in 2022 that is calculated using the Atlas method (The Atlas method, employed by the World Bank since 1993, is used to approximate the economic size of nations in terms of their gross national income (GNI) in U.S. dollars.).<ref>[https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519#High_income Country and Lending Groups]. World Bank. Accessed 2023.</ref> China and Russia are upper middle-income countries.<ref>[The World Bank In China], World Bank</ref><ref>[https://data.worldbank.org/country/RU Russian Federation], World Bank</ref>

According to Yahoo Finance: "Efficiency in production, also coined as productivity, is one of the major driving forces behind economic resilience in a country... The United States has one of the strongest economies in the world. The country hosts some of the largest companies in the world, which contributes to the high GDP per capita in the country. In 2022, the United States recorded a GDP per capita of $76,399."<ref>[https://finance.yahoo.com/news/25-most-productive-countries-per-185738034.html 25 Most Productive Countries Per Capita], Yahoo Finance</ref>  

According to Yahoo Finance: "Efficiency in production, also coined as productivity, is one of the major driving forces behind economic resilience in a country... The United States has one of the strongest economies in the world. The country hosts some of the largest companies in the world, which contributes to the high GDP per capita in the country. In 2022, the United States recorded a GDP per capita of $76,399."<ref name="finance.yahoo.com">[https://finance.yahoo.com/news/25-most-productive-countries-per-185738034.html 25 Most Productive Countries Per Capita], Yahoo Finance</ref>  

Investopedia says about the importance of [[labor productivity]] to an economy, "Labor productivity is largely driven by investment in capital, technological progress, and human capital development. Labor productivity is directly linked to improved standards of living in the form of higher consumption. As an economy's labor productivity grows, it produces more goods and services for the same amount of relative work. This increase in output makes it possible to consume more of the goods and services for an increasingly reasonable price."<ref>[https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/labor-productivity.asp Labor Productivity: What It Is, How to Calculate & Improve It], Investopedia</ref>

Investopedia says about the importance of [[labor productivity]] to an economy, "Labor productivity is largely driven by investment in capital, technological progress, and human capital development. Labor productivity is directly linked to improved standards of living in the form of higher consumption. As an economy's labor productivity grows, it produces more goods and services for the same amount of relative work. This increase in output makes it possible to consume more of the goods and services for an increasingly reasonable price."<ref name="investopedia.com">[https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/labor-productivity.asp Labor Productivity: What It Is, How to Calculate & Improve It], Investopedia</ref>

According to the website of the [[International Labour Organization]] (ILO),<ref>{{cite journal|author=VanDaele, Jasmien|title=Engineering Social Peace: Networks, Ideas, And the Founding of the International Labour Organization|journal=International Review of Social History|year= 2005 |volume=50|issue=3|pages= 435–466|doi=10.1017/S0020859005002178|doi-access=free}}</ref> a spinoff of the Second [[Socialist International]], founded in 1919 and now a [[UN]] agency, the USA was over 400% more productive in terms of labor productivity than China in 2023 when measured using purchasing power parity.<ref>[https://ilostat.ilo.org/topics/labour-productivity/ Statistics on Labour Productivity], International Labor Organization website</ref><ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_countries_by_labour_productivity&oldid=1208819978 List of countries by labor productivity (Ranked using purchasing power parity)]</ref>  The same veteran [[communist front]] organization rated the USA over 200% more productive in 2023 in terms of labor productivity than Russia when measured using purchasing power parity.<ref>[https://ilostat.ilo.org/topics/labour-productivity/ Statistics on Labour Productivity], International Labor Organization website</ref><ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_countries_by_labour_productivity&oldid=1208819978 List of countries by labor productivity (Ranked using purchasing power parity)]</ref>  

According to the website of the [[International Labour Organization]] (ILO),<ref>{{cite journal|author=VanDaele, Jasmien|title=Engineering Social Peace: Networks, Ideas, And the Founding of the International Labour Organization|journal=International Review of Social History|year= 2005 |volume=50|issue=3|pages= 435–466|doi=10.1017/S0020859005002178|doi-access=free}}</ref> a spinoff of the Second [[Socialist International]], founded in 1919 and now a [[UN]] agency, the USA was over 400% more productive in terms of labor productivity than China in 2023 when measured using purchasing power parity.<ref name="Statistics on Labour Productivity">[https://ilostat.ilo.org/topics/labour-productivity/ Statistics on Labour Productivity], International Labor Organization website</ref><ref name="en.wikipedia.org">[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_countries_by_labour_productivity&oldid=1208819978 List of countries by labor productivity (Ranked using purchasing power parity)]</ref>  The same veteran [[communist front]] organization rated the USA over 200% more productive in 2023 in terms of labor productivity than Russia when measured using purchasing power parity.<ref name="Statistics on Labour Productivity"/><ref name="en.wikipedia.org"/>  

'''9.''' STEM programs<ref>https://www.ed.gov/stem#SnippetTab</ref> in universities based upon [[Darwinism]].

'''9.''' STEM programs<ref>https://www.ed.gov/stem#SnippetTab</ref> in universities based upon [[Darwinism]].

'''10.''' ''The Hill'' notes concerning U.S. [[multinational corporation]]s: "U.S. multinationals are also very dynamic and global leaders. What stands out is how the largest companies ranked by market capitalization have changed over time. Today, U.S. multinational corporations dominate the rankings: Four of the five largest companies in the world — [[Apple, Inc.]] ($3 trillion), [[Microsoft]] ($2.4 trillion), [[Alphabet]] ($1.7 trillion) and [[Amazon.com]] ($1.4 trillion) — are headquartered in the U.S., and only five in the top 20 are outside the U.S."<ref>[https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/4218495-what-makes-the-us-economy-so-resilient/#:~:text=First%2C%20the%20economy%20is%20highly,industries%20fare%20better%20than%20others. What makes the US economy so resilient?], The Hill, 2023</ref> "Headquartered in the U.S.", yes, but how many people do they actually employ in the U.S. to create jobs and wealth for American citizens compared to how much [[per capita]] wealth they take out of the U.S. in profits, and to employ people in foreign countries in manufacturing? See: [[Globalism]].

'''10.''' ''The Hill'' notes concerning U.S. [[multinational corporation]]s: "U.S. multinationals are also very dynamic and global leaders. What stands out is how the largest companies ranked by market capitalization have changed over time. Today, U.S. multinational corporations dominate the rankings: Four of the five largest companies in the world — [[Apple, Inc.]] ($3 trillion), [[Microsoft]] ($2.4 trillion), [[Alphabet]] ($1.7 trillion) and [[Amazon.com]] ($1.4 trillion) — are headquartered in the U.S., and only five in the top 20 are outside the U.S."<ref name="thehill.com">[https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/4218495-what-makes-the-us-economy-so-resilient/#:~:text=First%2C%20the%20economy%20is%20highly,industries%20fare%20better%20than%20others. What makes the US economy so resilient?], The Hill, 2023</ref> "Headquartered in the U.S.", yes, but how many people do they actually employ in the U.S. to create jobs and wealth for American citizens compared to how much [[per capita]] wealth they take out of the U.S. in profits, and to employ people in foreign countries in manufacturing? See: [[Globalism]].

[[File:Soft Power (2004) by Joseph Nye.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|The [[Political science|political scientist]] Joseph Nye's 2004 book describing the concept of "[[soft power]]".  

[[File:Soft Power (2004) by Joseph Nye.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|The [[Political science|political scientist]] Joseph Nye's 2004 book describing the concept of "[[soft power]]".  

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  |isbn                = 9781586482251

  |isbn                = 9781586482251

  |access-date          = 16 March 2023

  |access-date          = 16 March 2023

  |quote                = [...] I had coined the term 'soft power' a decade or so earlier. [...] I first developed the concept of 'soft power' in ''Bound to Lead'', a book I published in 1990 [...].</ref>]]

  |quote                = [...] I had coined the term 'soft power' a decade or so earlier. [...] I first developed the concept of 'soft power' in ''Bound to Lead'', a book I published in 1990 [...].}}</ref>]]

'''11.''' English is the number one spoken language in the world which is the national language of the United States and its close ally the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>[https://www.visualcapitalist.com/top-languages-spoken-in-the-world/ Ranked: The Top Languages Spoken in the World], Visual Capitalist</ref> And English is widely used in both commerce and in the media in the world.  

'''11.''' English is the number one spoken language in the world which is the national language of the United States and its close ally the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>[https://www.visualcapitalist.com/top-languages-spoken-in-the-world/ Ranked: The Top Languages Spoken in the World], Visual Capitalist</ref> And English is widely used in both commerce and in the media in the world.  

Brand Finance, the world's leading brand valuation consultancy, annually list the countries with the strongest soft power.  

Brand Finance, the world's leading brand valuation consultancy, annually list the countries with the strongest soft power.  

Brand Finance's 2022 ranking of the 10 countries with the most soft power<ref>[https://brandfinance.com/press-releases/global-soft-power-index-2022-usa-bounces-back-better-to-top-of-nation-brand-ranking#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20composition%20of%20the%20Global,Kingdom%2C%20Germany%2C%20and%20China. Global Soft Power Index 2022: USA bounces back better to top of nation brand ranking], Brand Finance website, 2022</ref>:

Brand Finance's 2022 ranking of the 10 countries with the most soft power:<ref>[https://brandfinance.com/press-releases/global-soft-power-index-2022-usa-bounces-back-better-to-top-of-nation-brand-ranking#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20composition%20of%20the%20Global,Kingdom%2C%20Germany%2C%20and%20China. Global Soft Power Index 2022: USA bounces back better to top of nation brand ranking], Brand Finance website, 2022</ref>

# United States

# United States

'''12.''' In 2024, a majority of the 100 most valuable brands were based in the United States, with a combined value of $3.2 trillion.<ref>[https://www.visualcapitalist.com/most-valuable-brands-in-2024/ The 100 Top Brands in the World], Visual Capitalist</ref>

'''12.''' In 2024, a majority of the 100 most valuable brands were based in the United States, with a combined value of $3.2 trillion.<ref>[https://www.visualcapitalist.com/most-valuable-brands-in-2024/ The 100 Top Brands in the World], Visual Capitalist</ref>

'''13.''' Many people in the United States have an [[achievement orientation]]. The United States leads the world in Nobel Prizes, Olympic medals and flags planted by a man on the moon.<ref>[https://en.as.com/latest_news/which-countries-have-the-most-nobel-prize-winners-n/ Which countries have the most Nobel Prize winners?]</ref><ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2023/05/10/which-country-has-most-olympic-medals/11414925002/ This country has won more than twice as many Olympic medals as any other nation.], USA Today, 2023</ref> In 2023, the United States had more than three times as many Nobel Prizes than another country.<ref>[https://en.as.com/latest_news/which-countries-have-the-most-nobel-prize-winners-n/ Which countries have the most Nobel Prize winners?]</ref> In 2023, the United States had been awarded more twice as many Olympic gold medals as any other nation.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2023/05/10/which-country-has-most-olympic-medals/11414925002/ This country has won more than twice as many Olympic medals as any other nation.], USA Today, 2023</ref>

'''13.''' Many people in the United States have an [[achievement orientation]]. The United States leads the world in Nobel Prizes, Olympic medals and flags planted by a man on the moon.<ref name="en.as.com">[https://en.as.com/latest_news/which-countries-have-the-most-nobel-prize-winners-n/ Which countries have the most Nobel Prize winners?]</ref><ref name="usatoday.com">[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2023/05/10/which-country-has-most-olympic-medals/11414925002/ This country has won more than twice as many Olympic medals as any other nation.], USA Today, 2023</ref> In 2023, the United States had more than three times as many Nobel Prizes than another country.<ref name="en.as.com"/> In 2023, the United States had been awarded more twice as many Olympic gold medals as any other nation.<ref name="usatoday.com"/>

'''14.''' The world's most powerful military and advanced military technology<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2022/08/27/who-has-biggest-military-world-most-powerful/7888866001/ Who has the biggest military? Breaking it down by active and reserve members.], USA Today</ref>  

'''14.''' The world's most powerful military and advanced military technology<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2022/08/27/who-has-biggest-military-world-most-powerful/7888866001/ Who has the biggest military? Breaking it down by active and reserve members.], USA Today</ref>  

'''16.''' The United States has a significant number of allies and strategic partnerships such as the: [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) (Made up of 31 countries); '''Aukus''' (a trilateral security partnership for the [[Indo-Pacific]] region between [[Australia]], the [[United Kingdom]], and the [[United States]]); the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), and the Organization of American States (OAS). See: [https://executivebiz.com/articles/who-are-the-us-allies-a-comprehensive-guide-to-americas-key-international-partnerships/ Who Are the US Allies: A Comprehensive Guide to America’s Key International Partnerships] and [https://www.state.gov/dipnote-u-s-department-of-state-official-blog/advancing-u-s-alliances-and-partnerships-through-security-sector-governance-initiatives/ Advancing U.S. Alliances and Partnerships through Security Sector Governance Initiatives]

'''16.''' The United States has a significant number of allies and strategic partnerships such as the: [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) (Made up of 31 countries); '''Aukus''' (a trilateral security partnership for the [[Indo-Pacific]] region between [[Australia]], the [[United Kingdom]], and the [[United States]]); the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), and the Organization of American States (OAS). See: [https://executivebiz.com/articles/who-are-the-us-allies-a-comprehensive-guide-to-americas-key-international-partnerships/ Who Are the US Allies: A Comprehensive Guide to America’s Key International Partnerships] and [https://www.state.gov/dipnote-u-s-department-of-state-official-blog/advancing-u-s-alliances-and-partnerships-through-security-sector-governance-initiatives/ Advancing U.S. Alliances and Partnerships through Security Sector Governance Initiatives]

'''17.'''  According to the [[atheistic]] ''[[Encyclopedia Britannica]]'', one of the strengths of the United States is: "Navigable waterways are extensive and centre upon the Mississippi River system in the country’s interior, the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway system in the north, and the Gulf Coast waterways along the Gulf of Mexico."<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States/Transportation United States - Strengths and weaknesses]</ref> A cyber-attack on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in [[Baltimore]] in March 2024 once again exposed the [[hubris]] of these claims.<ref>https://twitter.com/laralogan/status/1772675651599770093</ref>

'''17.'''  According to the [[atheistic]] ''[[Encyclopedia Britannica]]'', one of the strengths of the United States is: "Navigable waterways are extensive and centre upon the Mississippi River system in the country’s interior, the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway system in the north, and the Gulf Coast waterways along the Gulf of Mexico."<ref name="britannica.com"/> A cyber-attack on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in [[Baltimore]] in March 2024 once again exposed the [[hubris]] of these claims.<ref>https://twitter.com/laralogan/status/1772675651599770093</ref>

'''18.''' Advances in agricultural productivity in the United States enable a smaller labor force to produce greater quantities than ever before.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States/Transportation United States - Strengths and weaknesses]</ref>

'''18.''' Advances in agricultural productivity in the United States enable a smaller labor force to produce greater quantities than ever before.<ref name="britannica.com"/>

'''19.''' Pointless and costly wars such as the [[Iraq War]] and [[War in Afghanistan]] are very expensive. The renowned military strategist and general [[Sun Tzu]] wrote: "There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare."  Among the USA public, a less interventionalist and more [[isolationism|isolationist]] sentiment is growing - particularly among young people (See: [[Essay: Isolationalism is growing in the United States. Is this a good thing?|Isolationalism is growing in the United States. Is this a good thing?]]). Of course, anything taken to an extreme can be a bad thing.  The United States should stay engaged in the world - especially when it comes to the use of skillful [[diplomacy]]. At the same time, sometimes wars are unavoidable, but when a nation engages in a war, it should be a just war (See: [[Just War Theory]]).  

'''19.''' Pointless and costly wars such as the [[Iraq War]] and [[War in Afghanistan]] are very expensive. The renowned military strategist and general [[Sun Tzu]] wrote: "There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare."  Among the USA public, a less interventionalist and more [[isolationism|isolationist]] sentiment is growing - particularly among young people (See: [[Essay: Isolationalism is growing in the United States. Is this a good thing?|Isolationalism is growing in the United States. Is this a good thing?]]). Of course, anything taken to an extreme can be a bad thing.  The United States should stay engaged in the world - especially when it comes to the use of skillful [[diplomacy]]. At the same time, sometimes wars are unavoidable, but when a nation engages in a war, it should be a just war (See: [[Just War Theory]]).  

The globalist material from the [[Council on Foreign Relations]] and it [[UK]] counterpart, the ''[[Financial Times]]'', argues that the world is not presently multipolar.

The globalist material from the [[Council on Foreign Relations]] and it [[UK]] counterpart, the ''[[Financial Times]]'', argues that the world is not presently multipolar.

*[https://archive.ph/I2bFZ The Myth of Multipolarity], American Power’s Staying Power, ''[[Foreign Affairs]]'', April 18, 2023

*[https://archive.ph/I2bFZ The Myth of Multipolarity], American Power's Staying Power, ''[[Foreign Affairs]]'', April 18, 2023

*[https://archive.ph/ECZFt#selection-1585.0-1585.63 The multipolarity thesis: the verdict of Unhedged and Chartbook], ''[[Financial Times]]'', October 12, 2023

*[https://archive.ph/ECZFt#selection-1585.0-1585.63 The multipolarity thesis: the verdict of Unhedged and Chartbook], ''[[Financial Times]]'', October 12, 2023

</ref>  

</ref>  

[[File:USA GNP growth from january 1947 to January 2023.jpg|650px|thumbnail|center|Chart of the growth of U.S. [[Gross National Product|GNP]] from January 1947 to January 2023.

[[File:USA GNP growth from january 1947 to January 2023.jpg|650px|thumbnail|center|Chart of the growth of U.S. [[Gross National Product|GNP]] from January 1947 to January 2023.

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=== Bureau of Labor Statistics and Washington's number mills===

=== Bureau of Labor Statistics and Washington's number mills===

[[File:Map of labor productivity around the world.png|thumbnail|650px|center|Investopedia says about the importance of labor productivity to an economy, "Labor productivity is largely driven by investment in capital, technological progress, and human capital development. Labor productivity is directly linked to improved standards of living in the form of higher consumption."<ref>[https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/labor-productivity.asp Labor Productivity: What It Is, How to Calculate & Improve It], Investopedia</ref>

[[File:Map of labor productivity around the world.png|thumbnail|650px|center|Investopedia says about the importance of labor productivity to an economy, "Labor productivity is largely driven by investment in capital, technological progress, and human capital development. Labor productivity is directly linked to improved standards of living in the form of higher consumption."<ref name="investopedia.com"/>

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=== The USA was among the most 10 most economically diverse economies in 2018 according to the Word Atlas website (Diversified in terms of industry sectors)  ===

=== The USA was among the most 10 most economically diverse economies in 2018 according to the Word Atlas website (Diversified in terms of industry sectors)  ===

[[File:Countries with the most diverse economies.jpg|thumbnail|650px|center|The USA was among the most 10 most diverse economies in 2018 according to the Word Atlas website (Diversified in terms of industry sectors).<ref>[https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/countries-with-the-most-diverse-economies.html#:~:text=Most%20Diverse%20Economies-,Japan,the%20sophistication%20of%20its%20exports. Countries With The Most Diverse Economies]</ref>

[[File:Countries with the most diverse economies.jpg|thumbnail|650px|center|The USA was among the most 10 most diverse economies in 2018 according to the Word Atlas website (Diversified in terms of industry sectors).<ref name="worldatlas.com"/>

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*[https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-minister-now-us-truck-driver-salary-same-ruble-crashed-2023-8 The Russian ruble hit a 16-month low this week and is one of the worst performing currencies in 2023], August, 2023

*[https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-minister-now-us-truck-driver-salary-same-ruble-crashed-2023-8 The Russian ruble hit a 16-month low this week and is one of the worst performing currencies in 2023], August, 2023

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According to Pew Research, on balance, views of the U.S. are much more positive than views of China, and increasingly so (See: [https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2023/11/06/comparing-views-of-the-us-and-china-in-24-countries/ Comparing Views of the U.S. and China in 24 Countries], November 6, 2023).

According to Pew Research, on balance, views of the U.S. are much more positive than views of China, and increasingly so (See: [https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2023/11/06/comparing-views-of-the-us-and-china-in-24-countries/ Comparing Views of the U.S. and China in 24 Countries], November 6, 2023).

==== Prior to the NATO war in Ukraine Pew Research survey found Most countries saw the United States as the world’s leading economic power rather than China ====  

==== Prior to the NATO war in Ukraine Pew Research survey found Most countries saw the United States as the world’s leading economic power rather than China ====

*[https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2018/10/01/most-prefer-that-u-s-not-china-be-the-worlds-leading-power/ 2018 Pew Research survey: Most countries saw the United States as the world’s leading economic power rather than China. Most countries preferred the United States as the world’s leading economic power rather than China as well]

*[https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2018/10/01/most-prefer-that-u-s-not-china-be-the-worlds-leading-power/ 2018 Pew Research survey: Most countries saw the United States as the world’s leading economic power rather than China. Most countries preferred the United States as the world’s leading economic power rather than China as well]

'''1.''' Hardworking people and a lot of smart people

'''1.''' Hardworking people and a lot of smart people

'''2.''' Fair degree of national unity and nationalism. But as things worsen in China for the reasons given in the weaknesses of China section below, there could easily be more infighting.  In 2022, the historian [[Niall Ferguson]] indicated that [[China]]'s population is projected to drop by 50-75% by the end of the century.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2vqnpXWM0Y&t=601s Niall Ferguson on the projected drop of China's population in the 21st century]</ref>  

'''2.''' Fair degree of national unity and nationalism. But as things worsen in China for the reasons given in the weaknesses of China section below, there could easily be more infighting.  In 2022, the historian [[Niall Ferguson]] indicated that [[China]]'s population is projected to drop by 50-75% by the end of the century.<ref name="youtube.com">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2vqnpXWM0Y&t=601s Niall Ferguson on the projected drop of China's population in the 21st century]</ref>  

'''3.''' Good infrastructure

'''3.''' Good infrastructure

'''1.''' Bad government. The Chinese [[communism|communists]] are godless, corrupt, short-sighted and authoritarian. A [[cult of personality]] has developed around [[Xi Jinping]] and he has eliminated all significant political opposition so now he is surrounded by yes man. So the government is calcified around Xi Jinping's thoughts and less responsive to citizens' concerns and problems. See: [[Chinese Communist Party]] and [[Militant atheism]] and [[China and atheism]] and [[Atheism and morality]] and [[Atheism and leadership]]

'''1.''' Bad government. The Chinese [[communism|communists]] are godless, corrupt, short-sighted and authoritarian. A [[cult of personality]] has developed around [[Xi Jinping]] and he has eliminated all significant political opposition so now he is surrounded by yes man. So the government is calcified around Xi Jinping's thoughts and less responsive to citizens' concerns and problems. See: [[Chinese Communist Party]] and [[Militant atheism]] and [[China and atheism]] and [[Atheism and morality]] and [[Atheism and leadership]]

On December 22, 2022, ''Foreign Affairs'' magazine noted in their article ''China’s Dangerous Decline'' "...China is teetering on the edge of a cliff. Ten years of Xi’s “reforms” — widely characterized in the West as successful power plays—have made the country frail and brittle, exacerbating its underlying problems while giving rise to new ones. ...a growing number of Western analysts—including Michael Beckley, Jude Blanchette, Hal Brands, Robert Kaplan, Susan Shirk, and Fareed Zakaria—have begun to highlight this reality..."<ref>[https://archive.ph/hEgDs China's dangerous decline], ''Foreign Affairs'' magazine, December 22, 2022</ref>

On December 22, 2022, ''Foreign Affairs'' magazine noted in their article ''China’s Dangerous Decline'' "...China is teetering on the edge of a cliff. Ten years of Xi’s “reforms” — widely characterized in the West as successful power plays—have made the country frail and brittle, exacerbating its underlying problems while giving rise to new ones. ...a growing number of Western analysts—including Michael Beckley, Jude Blanchette, Hal Brands, Robert Kaplan, Susan Shirk, and Fareed Zakaria—have begun to highlight this reality..."<ref name="China's dangerous decline">[https://archive.ph/hEgDs China's dangerous decline], ''Foreign Affairs'' magazine, December 22, 2022</ref>

Videos:

Videos:

'''2.''' China has terrible age [[Demography|demographics]].  It has the fastest graying/aging population in the world (See: [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUvJPdHqYYiHaspPfyBkYLqYfiOXHyduu Peter Zeihan's demography series]) which will severely hurt its economy (See: [[Atheism and fertility rates]]).

'''2.''' China has terrible age [[Demography|demographics]].  It has the fastest graying/aging population in the world (See: [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUvJPdHqYYiHaspPfyBkYLqYfiOXHyduu Peter Zeihan's demography series]) which will severely hurt its economy (See: [[Atheism and fertility rates]]).

According to ''Forbes'' magazine, as far as the fertility rate of China: "...the Total Fertility Rate (births per woman) dropped in 2021 to just 1.15, far below the 2.1 required for a stable population."<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/franklavin/2022/10/12/chinas-demographics-it-gets-worse/?sh=6102ba4331d1 China’s Demographics: It Gets Worse], Forbes magazine, Oct 12, 2022</ref> In 2022, the historian [[Niall Ferguson]] indicated that [[China]]'s population is projected to drop by 50-75% by the end of the century.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2vqnpXWM0Y&t=601s Niall Ferguson on the projected drop of China's population in the 21st century]</ref>

According to ''Forbes'' magazine, as far as the fertility rate of China: "...the Total Fertility Rate (births per woman) dropped in 2021 to just 1.15, far below the 2.1 required for a stable population."<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/franklavin/2022/10/12/chinas-demographics-it-gets-worse/?sh=6102ba4331d1 China’s Demographics: It Gets Worse], Forbes magazine, Oct 12, 2022</ref> In 2022, the historian [[Niall Ferguson]] indicated that [[China]]'s population is projected to drop by 50-75% by the end of the century.<ref name="youtube.com"/>

'''3.''' A high percentage of uneducated people. The Stanford Center on China's Economy and Institutions article ''Invisible China: Hundreds of Millions of Rural Underemployed May Slow China’s Growth'' indicates: "The share of uneducated workers in China's labor force is larger than that of virtually all middle-income countries. According to census data, there are roughly 500 million people in China between the ages of 18 and 65 without a high school degree."<ref>[https://sccei.fsi.stanford.edu/china-briefs/invisible-china-hundreds-millions-rural-underemployed-may-slow-chinas-growth#:~:text=The%20share%20of%20uneducated%20workers,without%20a%20high%20school%20degree. ''Invisible China: Hundreds of Millions of Rural Underemployed May Slow China’s Growth'']., Stanford Center on China's Economy and Institutions</ref>

'''3.''' A high percentage of uneducated people. The Stanford Center on China's Economy and Institutions article ''Invisible China: Hundreds of Millions of Rural Underemployed May Slow China’s Growth'' indicates: "The share of uneducated workers in China's labor force is larger than that of virtually all middle-income countries. According to census data, there are roughly 500 million people in China between the ages of 18 and 65 without a high school degree."<ref>[https://sccei.fsi.stanford.edu/china-briefs/invisible-china-hundreds-millions-rural-underemployed-may-slow-chinas-growth#:~:text=The%20share%20of%20uneducated%20workers,without%20a%20high%20school%20degree. ''Invisible China: Hundreds of Millions of Rural Underemployed May Slow China’s Growth'']., Stanford Center on China's Economy and Institutions</ref>

For more information, please see: [[Essay: China has a labor productivity rate that is a WHOLE LOT LOWER than the labor productivity rate of the USA|China has a labor productivity rate that is a WHOLE LOT LOWER than the labor productivity rate of the USA]]

For more information, please see: [[Essay: China has a labor productivity rate that is a WHOLE LOT LOWER than the labor productivity rate of the USA|China has a labor productivity rate that is a WHOLE LOT LOWER than the labor productivity rate of the USA]]

[[File:NewsX-Real-Chinese-Map.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|Map of [[China]] ]]

[[File:NewsX-Real-Chinese-Map.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|Map of [[China]] ]]

'''4.''' Financial soundness lacking in society. In September of 2023, Reuters reported: "China’s debt-to-GDP ratio has doubled to a whopping 280%, opens new tab, with the bulk of liabilities held by local government financial vehicles (LGFVs)."<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/chinas-growth-is-buried-under-great-wall-debt-2023-09-13/ China’s growth is buried under great wall of debt], Reuters, 2023</ref> China also has a real estate crises of a great magnitude. In addition, it has an opaque accounting system. While it is true that China has more tools than the West to address the matter of its debt crisis, too much debt is a drag on an economy no matter how the burden is distributed by its government.  

'''4.''' Financial soundness lacking in society. In September 2023, Reuters reported: "China’s debt-to-GDP ratio has doubled to a whopping 280%, opens new tab, with the bulk of liabilities held by local government financial vehicles (LGFVs)."<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/chinas-growth-is-buried-under-great-wall-debt-2023-09-13/ China’s growth is buried under great wall of debt], Reuters, 2023</ref> China also has a real estate crises of a great magnitude. In addition, it has an opaque accounting system. While it is true that China has more tools than the West to address the matter of its debt crisis, too much debt is a drag on an economy no matter how the burden is distributed by its government.  

On February 6, 2023, Yahoo Finance said concerning [[Chinese real estate crisis (2020–present)|China's real estate crisis which began in 2020]]:

On February 6, 2023, Yahoo Finance said concerning [[Chinese real estate crisis (2020–present)|China's real estate crisis which began in 2020]]:

"The basic architecture of the Chinese economy is broken," Bass summarized.<ref>[https://finance.yahoo.com/news/china-facing-us-financial-crisis-234945940.html#:~:text=China's%20overreliance%20on%20real%20estate,did%20going%20into%20the%20crisis. China is facing the US financial crisis 'on steroids' as the real estate market collapses, famed hedge fund boss says], Yahoo Finance, February 6, 2023</ref>}}

"The basic architecture of the Chinese economy is broken," Bass summarized.<ref>[https://finance.yahoo.com/news/china-facing-us-financial-crisis-234945940.html#:~:text=China's%20overreliance%20on%20real%20estate,did%20going%20into%20the%20crisis. China is facing the US financial crisis 'on steroids' as the real estate market collapses, famed hedge fund boss says], Yahoo Finance, February 6, 2023</ref>}}

Since 2021, China’s stock markets have lost about $7 trillion in value.<ref>[https://www.marketplace.org/2024/02/06/why-chinas-stock-market-struggling/ What’s going on with China’s stock market?], MarketPlace.org</ref> See: [[Chinese stock markets]]

Since 2021, China's stock markets have lost about $7 trillion in value.<ref>[https://www.marketplace.org/2024/02/06/why-chinas-stock-market-struggling/ What’s going on with China’s stock market?], MarketPlace.org</ref> See: [[Chinese stock markets]]

China has high youth unemployment (See: [[Youth unemployment in China]]).  

China has high youth unemployment (See: [[Youth unemployment in China]]).  

{{clear}}

{{clear}}

=== China has likely peaked ===

=== China has likely peaked ===

[[File:China's long-term economic outlook weakens.jpg|thumbnail|center|1200px|China is no longer set to eclipse the US as the world’s biggest economy soon, and it may never consistently pull ahead to claim the top spot as the nation’s confidence slump becomes more entrenched.

[[File:China's long-term economic outlook weakens.jpg|thumbnail|center|1200px|China is no longer set to eclipse the US as the world's biggest economy soon, and it may never consistently pull ahead to claim the top spot as the nation's confidence slump becomes more entrenched.

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

==== China has likely peaked arguments ====

==== China has likely peaked arguments ====

*[https://archive.ph/iDe7x China’s rise is reversing], ''Financial Times'', November 20, 2023 (The past two years have seen the largest drop in the China’s share of global GDP since the [[Mao]] era)

*[https://archive.ph/iDe7x China’s rise is reversing], ''Financial Times'', November 20, 2023 (The past two years have seen the largest drop in the China's share of global GDP since the [[Mao]] era)

*[https://www.foreignaffairs.com/asia/who-killed-chinese-economy Who Killed the Chinese Economy?], Foreign Affairs, November 14, 2023, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z1TxK9JyWI Video for article]

*[https://www.foreignaffairs.com/asia/who-killed-chinese-economy Who Killed the Chinese Economy?], Foreign Affairs, November 14, 2023, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z1TxK9JyWI Video for article]

*[https://archive.ph/r44X2 Is China Past Its Peak?], ''Wall Street Journal'', August 15, 2023

*[https://archive.ph/r44X2 Is China Past Its Peak?], ''Wall Street Journal'', August 15, 2023

*[https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BPEA_Spring2023_EM-Panel_Prasad_unembargoed.pdf Has China’s Growth Gone from Miracle to Malady?], Brookings Institution, March 30-31, 2023

*[https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BPEA_Spring2023_EM-Panel_Prasad_unembargoed.pdf Has China’s Growth Gone from Miracle to Malady?], Brookings Institution, March 30–31, 2023

*[https://archive.ph/oTSxz Is Chinese power about to peak?], ''The Economist'', 2023

*[https://archive.ph/oTSxz Is Chinese power about to peak?], ''The Economist'', 2023

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0XgIJzXC7Y China’s Bracing for Another Collapse in Their Real Estate Market] - In 2021, Evergrande, one of China's largest real estate developers, defaulted on its debt. Now Country Garden, which is the largest property developer by number of projects, is at risk of defaulting as well.

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0XgIJzXC7Y China’s Bracing for Another Collapse in Their Real Estate Market] - In 2021, Evergrande, one of China's largest real estate developers, defaulted on its debt. Now Country Garden, which is the largest property developer by number of projects, is at risk of defaulting as well.

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqA5NODRnQI Don't Be Surprised by China's Collapse], 9-19-2023

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqA5NODRnQI Don't Be Surprised by China's Collapse], 9–19–2023

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0IV9U_F8rI Japan's Recession Was Bad. China's Will Be So Much Worse.]

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0IV9U_F8rI Japan's Recession Was Bad. China's Will Be So Much Worse.]

''See also:'' [[Essay:Skepticism about China remaining a global power|Skepticism about China remaining a global power]]

''See also:'' [[Essay:Skepticism about China remaining a global power|Skepticism about China remaining a global power]]

A number of leading geopolitical analysts are skeptical about China remaining a global power as is faces a number of serious intractable problems (See: [[Essay:Skepticism about China remaining a global power|Skepticism about China remaining a global power]]). On December 22, 2022, ''Foreign Affairs'' magazine noted in their article ''China’s Dangerous Decline'' "...China is teetering on the edge of a cliff. Ten years of [[Xi Jinping|Xi]]’s “reforms” — widely characterized in the West as successful power plays—have made the country frail and brittle, exacerbating its underlying problems while giving rise to new ones. ...a growing number of Western analysts—including Michael Beckley, Jude Blanchette, Hal Brands, Robert Kaplan, Susan Shirk, and [[Fareed Zakaria]] — have begun to highlight this reality..."<ref>[https://archive.ph/hEgDs China's dangerous decline], ''Foreign Affairs'' magazine, December 22, 2022</ref>

A number of leading geopolitical analysts are skeptical about China remaining a global power as is faces a number of serious intractable problems (See: [[Essay:Skepticism about China remaining a global power|Skepticism about China remaining a global power]]). On December 22, 2022, ''Foreign Affairs'' magazine noted in their article ''China’s Dangerous Decline'' "...China is teetering on the edge of a cliff. Ten years of [[Xi Jinping|Xi]]’s “reforms” — widely characterized in the West as successful power plays—have made the country frail and brittle, exacerbating its underlying problems while giving rise to new ones. ...a growing number of Western analysts—including Michael Beckley, Jude Blanchette, Hal Brands, Robert Kaplan, Susan Shirk, and [[Fareed Zakaria]] — have begun to highlight this reality..."<ref name="China's dangerous decline"/>

For more information, please see: [[Essay:Skepticism about China remaining a global power|Skepticism about China remaining a global power]]

For more information, please see: [[Essay:Skepticism about China remaining a global power|Skepticism about China remaining a global power]]

'''5.''' "Russian President Vladimir Putin is laying claim to 1.2 million square kilometers in the Arctic. His main objectives appear to be the colonization of the Arctic and of the North Pole. It’s a project more than 20 years in the making. This area, which remains virtually unexploited, is one of the last El Dorados on the planet. The subsoil is full of oil, gas, rare earths and precious minerals like gold, uranium, and copper. With... the melting of the ocean’s ice, these riches are now more accessible, fueling the greed of major Western powers. But in this conquest of the Arctic, Russia already has a head start. For years, the country has been equipped with gigantic nuclear-powered icebreakers, which have been used to help navigate the icy waters surrounding the North Pole. In addition, Vladimir Putin has invested in extraordinary industrial projects. One such project is an enormous gas processing plant anchored in the permafrost; another is the construction of an incredible floating nuclear power plant intended to supply energy to Pevek, a small, isolated port north of the polar circle. These are but a few examples of the Russian leader’s flagship projects, in this new conquest of the Arctic." - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9wyajjYBUc Putin's advances in the Arctic | DW Documentary]

'''5.''' "Russian President Vladimir Putin is laying claim to 1.2 million square kilometers in the Arctic. His main objectives appear to be the colonization of the Arctic and of the North Pole. It’s a project more than 20 years in the making. This area, which remains virtually unexploited, is one of the last El Dorados on the planet. The subsoil is full of oil, gas, rare earths and precious minerals like gold, uranium, and copper. With... the melting of the ocean’s ice, these riches are now more accessible, fueling the greed of major Western powers. But in this conquest of the Arctic, Russia already has a head start. For years, the country has been equipped with gigantic nuclear-powered icebreakers, which have been used to help navigate the icy waters surrounding the North Pole. In addition, Vladimir Putin has invested in extraordinary industrial projects. One such project is an enormous gas processing plant anchored in the permafrost; another is the construction of an incredible floating nuclear power plant intended to supply energy to Pevek, a small, isolated port north of the polar circle. These are but a few examples of the Russian leader’s flagship projects, in this new conquest of the Arctic." - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9wyajjYBUc Putin's advances in the Arctic | DW Documentary]

'''6.''' A large percentage of people with traditional Russian Orthodox ideas (Although attendance at Russian Orthodox Churches is low.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230317141802/https://mercatornet.com/few-russians-go-to-church-many-who-dont-may-still-be-influenced-by-their-patriarchs-tirades/78666/ attendance at Russian Orthodox church services in Russia has dropped to around one percent.]</ref><ref>[https://orthochristian.com/155240.html PERCENTAGE OF ORTHODOX IS DOWN IN RUSSIA, BUT PERCENTAGE OF PRACTICING ORTHODOX IS UP—SURVEY]</ref>). At the same time, there is a significant portion who do not hold traditional values and Russia has the 3rd highest divorce rate in the world (See: [[Essay: Russia has the 3rd highest rate of divorce in the world.|Russia has the 3rd highest rate of divorce in the world]]).

'''6.''' A large percentage of people with traditional Russian Orthodox ideas (Although attendance at Russian Orthodox Churches is low.<ref name="web.archive.org">[https://web.archive.org/web/20230317141802/https://mercatornet.com/few-russians-go-to-church-many-who-dont-may-still-be-influenced-by-their-patriarchs-tirades/78666/ attendance at Russian Orthodox church services in Russia has dropped to around one percent.]</ref><ref>[https://orthochristian.com/155240.html PERCENTAGE OF ORTHODOX IS DOWN IN RUSSIA, BUT PERCENTAGE OF PRACTICING ORTHODOX IS UP—SURVEY]</ref>). At the same time, there is a significant portion who do not hold traditional values and Russia has the 3rd highest divorce rate in the world (See: [[Essay: Russia has the 3rd highest rate of divorce in the world.|Russia has the 3rd highest rate of divorce in the world]]).

'''7.''' Some positive things in pre-[[Soviet Union|Soviet]] Russian civilization that continue to this day (chess, ballet, etc.).  

'''7.''' Some positive things in pre-[[Soviet Union|Soviet]] Russian civilization that continue to this day (chess, ballet, etc.).  

'''3.''' According to the [[deep state]] and [[USAID]]/[[CIA]]-funded [[Moscow Times]]: "During his annual phone-in with the public in June this year, President [[Vladimir Putin]] [https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/06/20/putin-tells-russians-increase-productivity-raise-standard-living-a66085 described low productivity] as “one of the most acute and important” problems facing Russia."<ref>[https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/09/23/why-is-russia-so-unproductive-a67397 Why Is Russia So Unproductive?], Moscow Times, 2019</ref> See: [[Essay: Low labor productivity is one of the most acute and important problems facing Russia|Low labor productivity is one of the most acute and important problems facing Russia]]

'''3.''' According to the [[deep state]] and [[USAID]]/[[CIA]]-funded [[Moscow Times]]: "During his annual phone-in with the public in June this year, President [[Vladimir Putin]] [https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/06/20/putin-tells-russians-increase-productivity-raise-standard-living-a66085 described low productivity] as “one of the most acute and important” problems facing Russia."<ref>[https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/09/23/why-is-russia-so-unproductive-a67397 Why Is Russia So Unproductive?], Moscow Times, 2019</ref> See: [[Essay: Low labor productivity is one of the most acute and important problems facing Russia|Low labor productivity is one of the most acute and important problems facing Russia]]

[[File:Moscow Times a.PNG|center|600px|]]

[[File:Moscow Times a.PNG|center|600px]]

[[File:Moscow Times b.PNG|center|600px|]]

[[File:Moscow Times b.PNG|center|600px]]

'''4.''' [[Essay: Russia's economy will enter a long-term decline|Russia's economy will enter a long-term decline]] and the war in Ukraine is having a negative effect on its economy

'''4.''' [[Essay: Russia's economy will enter a long-term decline|Russia's economy will enter a long-term decline]] and the war in Ukraine is having a negative effect on its economy

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20230801113547/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/07/24/russia-economy-putin-war-cost-oil-revenues/ ‘It’s guns versus butter’: Russia's war chest empties]. Kremlin's fortunes crumble as oil profits plunge and the workforce flees conscription

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20230801113547/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/07/24/russia-economy-putin-war-cost-oil-revenues/ ‘It’s guns versus butter’: Russia's war chest empties]. Kremlin's fortunes crumble as oil profits plunge and the workforce flees conscription

You can't spread a AK-12 assault rifle on bread! Or put it in a cake! This war in Ukraine is going to be a [[pyrrhic victory]] for Putin/Russia - especially given its subreplacement fertility rate and the fact that it has one of the worst demographics in the world. See: [[Essay: Russia is dying out. The war in Ukraine is making Russia's demographic crisis even worse|Russia is dying out. The war in Ukraine is making Russia's demographic crisis even worse]]

You can't spread an AK-12 assault rifle on bread! Or put it in a cake! This war in Ukraine is going to be a [[pyrrhic victory]] for Putin/Russia - especially given its subreplacement fertility rate and the fact that it has one of the worst demographics in the world. See: [[Essay: Russia is dying out. The war in Ukraine is making Russia's demographic crisis even worse|Russia is dying out. The war in Ukraine is making Russia's demographic crisis even worse]]

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU0resswOds The true impact of a year of war on Russia's economy]  

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU0resswOds The true impact of a year of war on Russia's economy]  

*[https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/russia-economy-crash-ruble-imports-account-finance-putin-moscow-ukraine-2023-7 5 stats show how Russia's economy is declining], Business Insider, 2023]]

*[https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/russia-economy-crash-ruble-imports-account-finance-putin-moscow-ukraine-2023-7 5 stats show how Russia's economy is declining], Business Insider, 2023]]

{{Clear}}

{{Clear}}

[[File:Ruble 8-26-2023.jpg|thumbnail|center|1000px|Chart of the currency exchange between the Russian ruble to dollars from December 5, 2003 to August 26, 2023]]

[[File:Ruble 8-26-2023.jpg|thumbnail|center|1000px|Chart of the currency exchange between the Russian ruble to dollars from December 5, 2003, to August 26, 2023]]

{{Clear}}

{{Clear}}

'''5.''' Russia's economy is not highly diversified. It is too dependent on oil and gas.<ref>[https://www.ebrd.com/downloads/research/economics/publications/specials/diversifying-russia.pdf Diversifying

'''5.''' Russia's economy is not highly diversified. It is too dependent on oil and gas.<ref>[https://www.ebrd.com/downloads/research/economics/publications/specials/diversifying-russia.pdf Diversifying Russia], European Bank</ref> See: [[Essay: Russia's economy and gas and oil profits will be BADLY damaged when China's economy declines|Russia's economy and gas and oil profits will be BADLY damaged when China's economy declines]] and [[Essay: The USA is outproducing Russia and Saudi Arabia in oil production. The best is yet to come|The USA is outproducing Russia and Saudi Arabia in oil production. The best is yet to come]]

Russia], European Bank</ref> See: [[Essay: Russia's economy and gas and oil profits will be BADLY damaged when China's economy declines|Russia's economy and gas and oil profits will be BADLY damaged when China's economy declines]] and [[Essay: The USA is outproducing Russia and Saudi Arabia in oil production. The best is yet to come|The USA is outproducing Russia and Saudi Arabia in oil production. The best is yet to come]]

Newsweek's November 23, 2023 article ''Russian Economy About to 'Hit the Ice,' Putin Ally Warns'' states:  

Newsweek's November 23, 2023 article ''Russian Economy About to 'Hit the Ice,' Putin Ally Warns'' states:  

"Even the act of diverting supplies to Asia entails a significant reduction in Russian companies’ profit margins. It costs a lot more to transport oil to Asian markets than to Europe, and there is not much spare transport capacity, which pushes up the cost of freight, reducing the profit made by Russian companies, whatever the amount at which the price is capped.

"Even the act of diverting supplies to Asia entails a significant reduction in Russian companies’ profit margins. It costs a lot more to transport oil to Asian markets than to Europe, and there is not much spare transport capacity, which pushes up the cost of freight, reducing the profit made by Russian companies, whatever the amount at which the price is capped.

The price cap also enables Asian buyers to obtain big discounts on Russian oil. China and India may not officially be enforcing the cap, but it’s hard to imagine that companies from those countries will not use it to barter the price down. Indeed, this is already happening: some shipments to China due to be loaded onto tankers in January were sold at $5–6 cheaper per barrel than usual."<ref>[https://carnegieendowment.org/politika/88639 Can Russia’s War Chest Withstand the New Oil Cap?]</ref>

The price cap also enables Asian buyers to obtain big discounts on Russian oil. China and India may not officially be enforcing the cap, but it's hard to imagine that companies from those countries will not use it to barter the price down. Indeed, this is already happening: some shipments to China due to be loaded onto tankers in January were sold at $5–6 cheaper per barrel than usual."<ref name="carnegieendowment.org">[https://carnegieendowment.org/politika/88639 Can Russia’s War Chest Withstand the New Oil Cap?]</ref>

*[https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russian-oil-gas-budget-revenues-almost-halved-january-june-2023-07-05/ Russian oil and gas budget revenues almost halved in the first half of 2023], Reuters, 2023

*[https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russian-oil-gas-budget-revenues-almost-halved-january-june-2023-07-05/ Russian oil and gas budget revenues almost halved in the first half of 2023], Reuters, 2023

*[https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/m1/en/reports/strategyand-resilient-stable-sustainable-benefits-economic-diversification.pdf ''Resilient, stable, sustainable: The benefits of economic diversification'']

*[https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/m1/en/reports/strategyand-resilient-stable-sustainable-benefits-economic-diversification.pdf ''Resilient, stable, sustainable: The benefits of economic diversification'']

[[File:04656 market in Sanok.JPG|thumbnail|250px|right|Every year, 500,000 people die due to alcohol in Russia.<ref>''[https://www.obserwatorfinansowy.pl/in-english/macroeconomics/demographic-crisis-in-russia/ Demographic crisis in Russia]'' by Adam Gwiazda, 2019</ref>]]

[[File:04656 market in Sanok.JPG|thumbnail|250px|right|Every year, 500,000 people die due to alcohol in Russia.<ref name="Demographic crisis in Russia">''[https://www.obserwatorfinansowy.pl/in-english/macroeconomics/demographic-crisis-in-russia/ Demographic crisis in Russia]'' by Adam Gwiazda, 2019</ref>]]

'''6.''' It's poor state of public health (see: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230209015519/https://www.internationalinsurance.com/health/systems/russia.php Understanding Russia’s Healthcare System]).  Many of its men are alcoholics. Every year, 500,000 people die due to alcohol in Russia.<ref>''[https://www.obserwatorfinansowy.pl/in-english/macroeconomics/demographic-crisis-in-russia/ Demographic crisis in Russia]'' by Adam Gwiazda, 2019</ref> This is likely a cultural legacy of the atheistic [[Soviet Union]]. See: [[Atheism and alcoholism]]

'''6.''' It's poor state of public health (see: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230209015519/https://www.internationalinsurance.com/health/systems/russia.php Understanding Russia’s Healthcare System]).  Many of its men are alcoholics. Every year, 500,000 people die due to alcohol in Russia.<ref name="Demographic crisis in Russia"/> This is likely a cultural legacy of the atheistic [[Soviet Union]]. See: [[Atheism and alcoholism]]

'''7.''' Morale is low in the country compared to many countries and there is much unhappiness (See: [[Essay: Are the Russians as unhappy as they claim they are?|Are the Russians as unhappy as they claim they are?]]).

'''7.''' Morale is low in the country compared to many countries and there is much unhappiness (See: [[Essay: Are the Russians as unhappy as they claim they are?|Are the Russians as unhappy as they claim they are?]]).

'''12.''' State of religion in Russia

'''12.''' State of religion in Russia

In 2022, it was reported that attendance at Russian Orthodox Church services in Russia has dropped to around one percent.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230317141802/https://mercatornet.com/few-russians-go-to-church-many-who-dont-may-still-be-influenced-by-their-patriarchs-tirades/78666/ attendance at Russian Orthodox church services in Russia has dropped to around one percent.]</ref>

In 2022, it was reported that attendance at Russian Orthodox Church services in Russia has dropped to around one percent.<ref name="web.archive.org"/>

Also, according to a 2019 report "Using data from surveys carried out by the Higher School of Economics in Moscow in 2018, the sociologist Yana Roshchina worked out that while almost 81 percent of adult Russians consider themselves Orthodox, this is often a declaration of identity rather than faith. Just 6 percent of the population and 43 percent of believers go to church several times a month. According to Interior Ministry statistics, 4.3 million people across the country attended Easter services in 2019 – around 100,000 fewer than a year before."<ref>[https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/05/29/russians-are-not-waiting-for-a-church-boom-a65792 Russians Are Not Waiting for a Church Boom], 2019</ref>

Also, according to a 2019 report "Using data from surveys carried out by the Higher School of Economics in Moscow in 2018, the sociologist Yana Roshchina worked out that while almost 81 percent of adult Russians consider themselves Orthodox, this is often a declaration of identity rather than faith. Just 6 percent of the population and 43 percent of believers go to church several times a month. According to Interior Ministry statistics, 4.3 million people across the country attended Easter services in 2019 – around 100,000 fewer than a year before."<ref>[https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/05/29/russians-are-not-waiting-for-a-church-boom-a65792 Russians Are Not Waiting for a Church Boom], 2019</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

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{{globalism}}

{{globalism}}

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