The question, “Who are we?” continues to baffles people. If you ask, a group of people from different parts of the world to describe the United States you might get a variety of different answers. For example, one might say that the US is a country that manufactures products for sale to other countries around the world. Some would consider US politics and the role it plays at home and aboard as the definitive description of America. While others may want to focus on US military might its size and technology.
Some may consider US culture or standard of living as a true definition.
With that said let us look at what we think the US is and is not.
The United States as a manufacturer
The US is a manufacturing nation, right? Yes, we are and we are still the world’s largest manufacturer. The Alliance for American Manufacturing believes that, “Manufacturing in the U.S. generates about $1.6 trillion, or 12 percent of our gross domestic product, accounting for nearly three quarters of the nation’s industrial research and development (R&D), two-thirds of our nation’s total exports of goods and services, and supports more than 20 million high-paying jobs. Manufacturing also ensures we have a strong industrial base to support our national security objectives.”
However, we are not the only big fish in the area of manufacturing. The author of the book, “When China Rules the World states that China, “produces two-thirds of the world’s photocopiers, shoes, toys and microwave ovens; half its DVD players, digital cameras and textiles; one-third of its DVD-ROM drives and desktop computers; and a quarter of its mobiles, television sets, PDA’s and car stereos.”
It may surprise you to learn that Chinese companies, says Fortune Magazine, ”see America as more that a manufacturing center…and have announced plans to build a wind-energy turbine plant and wind farm in Nevada that will create 1,000 American jobs”
For now, the short answer is yes. The US is a country that manufactures products that other countries need and are willing to purchase. With the revenue generated from those sales, some believe the US builds a nation. Not everyone would consider the previous statement to be valid without a qualification, which attempts to address issues concerning policies like NAFTA, CAFTA and GATT. What if, some may say, instead of implementing creative strategies designed to promote increased manufacturing opportunities within the U S we provide redirection efforts to manufacture products elsewhere while at the same time importing gargantuan amounts of manufactured products.
The American Prospect says that the US has lost 42,400 factories. If you are wondering how all of this effects you and I the American Prospect says, “Wal-Mart imported 720,000 containers of sophisticated manufactured products from overseas factories into the United States, followed by Target (435,000 containers), Home Depot (365,300 containers), and K-Mart, which owns Sears (248,600 containers).”
The United States as a Political Power
As part of the United Nations, the US along with 191 other member states all vying for leverage to control and promote their own political agendas. In this environment, the US thrives and with few exceptions manages to overcome most internal obstacles designed to block or alter its plan. In addition, the WTO, WIPO are also organizations sought by countries that play a vital role in how politics are woven into how a country is viewed by others.
The US as a military juggernaut.
Looking back in reverse order Americans were involved in many military activities from helping allies and friends to all out war with other nations. Some of the more resent are Operation Iraqi Freedom, March 19, 2003-Present, Operation Enduring Freedom, October 7, 2001-Present, Kosovo War, in 1999, U.S. Occupation of Haiti 1994, Operation Deliberate Force, the NATO Intervention into Bosnia and U.S. Intervention in Somalia 1992-1994.
It is clear that America will not be bullied. However, contrary to popular opinion, the US is not the largest military force in the world; the fact is the US is one of the largest military force in terms of number of personnel however; we are second to China and barely edging out India. There are around 2,255,000 active members in China’s army the US has about 1,473,900 and India currently boast 1,414,000. In addition, there is a substantial cost associated with maintaining a large war-time military force on foreign soil. For example, Contemporary Logistics says “a US armored division consumed daily 5,000 tons of ammunition, 555,000 gallons of fuel, 300,000 gallons of water, and 80,000 meals.” Furthermore, the above figures do not include medical, transport or equipment cost.
Some believe it is not necessary for the US to command the largest military force in the world, just the best.
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Tech industry waits for President Obama (Kim Hart/The Politico)
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