Except for China. They actually have a very similar concept of destiny and mission.<p>I think the issues with China are going to be much more practical. They remind me a lot of the Soviet Union. A closed society that is very effective at giving the appearance of prosperity, while under the covers things are very different. They'll be able to keep it up for a decade or two, but over time the whole thing crumbles as the base was never truly well built.<p>Our biggest advantage lies in the risk taking aspects of our culture. We're a people that celebrates the type of risk that leads to true innovation. The cool thing: It's not just the U.S. anymore. Europe has caught on as well.<p>I do think the United States is going to weaken (relatively) in the coming decade. We'll still be a world power, but I think we'll be sharing that with a re-awakened Europe.