The secret of America’s enduring power (... as seen by a Canadian. I have also included a few reader comments.)

[mota bhai 2,675]

By: Thomas Klassen

Published on Mon Aug 26 2013

America will continue to dominate the world stage for many decades, if not centuries, because it has a unique advantage that has little to do with its economy or military prowess.

Unlike competitors such as China, India and Russia, or even the European Union, the United States is a country without internal conflicts. Other large nations, including Canada, have deep and long-standing ethnic, regional and religious schisms. These divisions weaken a nation, distract its leaders and provide an opening for foreign powers to sow dissent.

...

In India and China, people from different parts of the country do not share the same language, so that in India they need to resort to English to communicate. Parts of China, India and Russia seek to break away and require military force to prevent this: Tibet, Kashmir and Chechnya among many others.

For the past two decades the ancient, but enduring, internal divisions in China have been set aside as different regions of the country experience rapid economic growth. However, the greatest nightmare of Chinese leaders is that political stability will dissipate once economic growth slows and citizens are no longer guaranteed a substantially better future.

Canadians, living in the second largest country in the world, are well aware of how language and cultural differences have the potential to tear a nation apart. After all, Quebec sovereignty was defeated in the 1995 referendum by the narrowest of margins.

...

In contrast, the United States has no internal divisions and has a single culture. No parts of the land are seeking independence and no groups question the political establishment. Even far flung Alaska and Hawaii are little interested in independence.

...

The American political system is uniquely designed to ensure stability and coherence. That there are only two political parties means that in order to attract voters, they need to gravitate to the centre. Like two ice cream vendors who seek customers on a beach, the best location to maximize voters is right in the middle.

As a consequence, there are few differences in policies between the Democrats and Republicans. The last presidential election featured an incumbent president who had marginally expanded health-care insurance, and a challenger who had done exactly the same thing as governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007.

Moreover, the division of powers between the Congress and the president, and within Congress between the Senate and House of Representatives, means that scope for shifts in policy is exceedingly small. Policy reform is slow, sometimes convoluted, and nearly always results in a consensus that is not overturned by future presidents or legislatures.

Unlike other major powers, Americans have one language and one culture, anchored by the American dream. This dream — freedom, equality and opportunity for material comfort — is more rhetoric than real. Nevertheless it is the super glue that binds the nation together and allows its leaders to act without fear of internal dissent.

In a future in which relations between nations will be more complex, globalized and interdependent than any other age, America will continue to dominate thanks to its remarkable social and political stability.

Thomas Klassen is a professor of political science at York University.

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2013/08/26/the_secret_of_americas_enduring_power.html

Some reader comments:

caroline17063 days ago

America is deeply divided along political (Democrat vs. Republican) religious (Evangelical Christians vs. others) and economical (super rich vs. average) lines. Their urban regions are split into tiny zones with their own school systems and fire and police departments. Canadians can decide to get rid of the penny and it's done. Americans are paralyzed. Canadian cities can be amalgamated. Americans won't. Under our veneer of multiculturalism, we're more united than the United States.

Jimbocanuck3 days ago

The U.S.A. is more divided than today than it was during the civil war. The comment about one common language is nonsense, English is fast being replace by Spanish as the most spoken language.

blue3 days ago

The USA is on the verge of serious problems. The destruction of the middle class and the control of the wealth in a very small group and the political control by the rich is eventually going to cause a revolt. The upper middleclass have protected themselves from the poor by living in gated communities and imprisoning the highest percentage of citizens in the world. Their political leaders keep things going by inventing outside threats there by stimulating national pride and allegence as well as making the rich richer. They could learn from the French revolution.

Caw Mentor3 days ago

America once was a beacon of manufacturing skill, now have off-shored their jobs, and technology to China. They are breaking the first rule of business school, 'if you have a secret that makes your product unique, don't give it away.' They have freely given it to the Chinese in exchange for cheap labour and manufacturing. A benefit to shareholders this quarter, and a detriment to Americans for decades to come. This is what will lead to the fall of America.

Moosecall2 days ago

Anyone can look at what is happening in the States today, (a black couple turned away from being married in a church, Travon Martin's death in Sanford Fld., and NO ONE can forget who was left behind when people tried to flee Hurricane Katrina, or what happened when they couldn't flee) and say conflict has lessened in the States needs to re-learn their past and current history. The Civil War of North vs South in history is a hundred years ago. The right to vote was nearly restricted in Florida and other States during the last election. Hearts are still hardened against black people. Lynching was going on only 50 years ago. Today rather than lynching, it's being thrown into prison.

MidtownJohn442 days ago

There is growing anger about the gap between rich and poor in the United States. And unlike most other countries that Klassen names, the American people are heavily armed.

dchap2 days ago

One language? I guess he forgot the millions of Spanish speaking Americans in the US southwest, California and even Florida which in turn has brought Spanish or should I say Mexican culture to the US. I guess he forgot the divide between the right and left in the US which is actually quite a gap. In some families they don't even talk to each other.

[Jacque67 7,328]

This guy is a professor??

York University must be a third rate college!

[mota bhai 2,675]

This guy is a professor??

York University must be a third rate college!

Maybe it was intended to be satire?

[decocker 7,198]

america has mk ultra.

[Danno 1,228]

I will have to join others in wondering about the writers credentials,

Besides the points raised, just imagine anyone proclaiming that in this rapidly changing country that we are safe and secure for "centuries" to come.

[mota bhai 2,675]

I will have to join others in wondering about the writers credentials,

Besides the points raised, just imagine anyone proclaiming that in this rapidly changing country that we are safe and secure for "centuries" to come.

The author is blinded by his own self-pity. My guess is he's pretty sad about the whole Quebec thing and desperately needs a role model close to home to point to. "Look at America, that is how it's done!".

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

In contrast, the United States has no internal divisions and has a single culture. No parts of the land are seeking independence and no groups question the political establishment. Even far flung Alaska and Hawaii are little interested in independence.

Somebody doesn't get out much.

BTW, why are Canadians coming here, telling us how to live? Is it because the weather sucks where they live, and the invasion will continue until further notice.

[Darnell 8,478]

Whatever the reason, I do wish it had ceased in 2010.