How long do you see the United States lasting?

2015-05-05T06:24:21-04:00

Seriously, if you were to offer a calculated prediction, how long do you see the United States of America lasting? What are reasons behind your assessment? How can our nation change this outcome? How does the success and longevity of our nation compare to human history's other national dynasties and empires that lasted a long time? In our nation's history, what truly was the 'greatest generation' so far? How does ours compare if it is not the greatest? Just some questions to peak discussion.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 6:30 AM

2015-05-05T06:30:20-04:00

I think US will last. It is democratic, though feels like an empire AT TIMES. Channels of communication between us and congress aren't as obstructed as in many countries out there (think China or Russia), we're still the #1 country 'for the people, by the people'. Just because the media focuses and sensationalizes on negativeness, I think we're doing well overall, which is not emphasized enough.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made May 5 at 2015 6:32 AM

2015-05-05T06:32:50-04:00

If things don't change soon our beloved country will not last and we will no longer be a major player in the world.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 6:42 AM

2015-05-05T06:42:26-04:00

I both hope and believe past my lifetime. But, then I am 72.

How long? I think for a long time. Things can and do change and this country has always come forward when needed.

Still, I have doubts that I have never had before.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 7:03 AM

2015-05-05T07:03:27-04:00

Rome lasted about 500 years, seems we are currently having some of the same issues that plagued that empire. I'll give it another 250 years max.

http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/8-reasons-why-rome-fell

8 Reasons Why Rome Fell - History Lists

Find out why one of history's most legendary empires finally came crashing down.

Response by SSG James Doherty made May 5 at 2015 7:26 AM

2015-05-05T07:26:06-04:00

I think this country has a far more interesting future than falling like Rome. No outside force will ever take our country down, it will be citizens fed up with politicians than tear it down to restore it to its original glory. One America shall fall and another shall rise from its ashes like the Phoenix.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 5 at 2015 7:32 AM

2015-05-05T07:32:39-04:00

Governments are "machines" and machines break down over time. Grit and grime build up, and sooner or later they just seize.

Nations however living things. They're ideas. The United States existed BEFORE the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution. It was just formalized with those documents.

Years before the war... people started using We & They to describe the British that lived in America, and those that lived in Britain. Then eventually two people were standing there and one of them subtlety changed the words "someone should do something" to "we should do something," probably without even knowing it.

So... It's not going to be America that falls. Maybe the current government, but not America. America might change. Become something different. But still there.

Response by SSG Kenneth Lanning made May 5 at 2015 7:38 AM

2015-05-05T07:38:09-04:00

If you have never read President George Washington's Farewell Address, I HIGHLY recommend doing so...what I hope and historical reality likely don't agree with each other.

http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/washing.asp

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." -George Santayana

Avalon Project - Washington's Farewell Address 1796

The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed, to decline...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 7:39 AM

2015-05-05T07:39:35-04:00

We will always be the leader of western hegemony I think, but East Asian countries are gaining on us economically. Sam Huntington's book "Clash of Civilizations" predicts the future outcome of the US and the World pretty well.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 5 at 2015 9:28 AM

2015-05-05T09:28:38-04:00

I'd say we have a few more decades or so.

This is a good question, and one very worth talking about. My background should lead me to be able to talk about this, my undergrads degrees were in PoliSci and History, my life experience is mostly in organized use of violence to change regimes. I've lived in a few states in different regions, and in a few provinces in chaos.

So.... without getting into detailed statistical analyses or well researched pieces I'll do some very brief and rough arguments from analogy (because I'm lazy.)

The Roman Republic lasted 482 years before becoming an Empire truly controlled by one man.

The British Constitutional republic has maybe kind of lasted 327 years since being mostly controlled by one man.

The French Republic existed as a real republic for around 223 years.

The United States has existed as a real republic for around 227 years.

Most likely (barring a major species level threat) the US Republic will change in nature subtly and only in retrospect will people identify when it ended, but its hard to put a finger on when it would occur.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 9:40 AM

2015-05-05T09:40:08-04:00

Touchy issue if changes are not made I would say 50 years, the term United States would still exist but the country would be more socialist or like a police state and the freedoms we currently have and have fought for will be gone replaced by an illusion. Safety replaces freedom you can not be 100% safe and be free.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 5 at 2015 9:45 AM

2015-05-05T09:45:25-04:00

If we want any chance of enduring, our education system has to be our first priority. Thats the one thing needed to enable us to fix any and all other issues. A country of dullards is destined for failure...

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 9:47 AM

2015-05-05T09:47:12-04:00

“The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money.” -deTocqueville.

There are many other great minds who have passed which speak stronger arguments than any of us can today. They saw the demise of the democracy clearly. We are on our way. Machiavelli also warns that all democracies will fail when the people realize they can vote themselves benefits from the coffers, electing those who will provide the most to those who do the least. Then it will fail under its own weight, becoming an anarchy. Anarchy is overcome by tyranny, when the people, tired and beat down from being subjected to lawlessness and warlords, find a strong, powerful leader who is willing to restore order at any cost...despite the loss of freedom.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 11:29 AM

2015-05-05T11:29:38-04:00

On this path? 20 years before our represenrative constitutional republic is only a memory. Depends also on what war brings. Not sure what it might look like, but actual war of some sort seems imminent.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 5 at 2015 11:41 AM

2015-05-05T11:41:25-04:00

Historically thinking we are a young country. Egypt, China and Japan have been around twice as long as the US and are still in existence.

We gained our independence in 1776; 229 years later we struggle with the freedoms within.

I see changes but I do see us being able to endure these changes.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 11:46 AM

2015-05-05T11:46:01-04:00

I remember reading a few books that stated that a democracy is only designed to last for 200 years. We're past that, so according to them we're living on borrowed time.

Like most everything else in our government, we need to modernize. The Constitution was written back in a time with no internet, no planes, no satellite communication, no automatic weapons, etc. It needs serious updating, but with as extreme and polarized as we are - it would take a civil war to make it happen.

Response by SFC Joseph James made May 5 at 2015 11:53 AM

2015-05-05T11:53:51-04:00

In its current way? Not long. Our country will evolve and grow but with any luck we still hold on to what makes us special. Our constitution!