The American Century: RIP?

Americans should stop talking about "decline." Instead, we should face the fact that we will have to lead for decades to come.

On the eve of Chinese president Xi Jinping's state visit, many American politicians are exaggerating China's power. But China is not about to replace the United States as the world's largest power for decades to come.

The United States has been the world's largest economy since the end of the 19th century. Many economists expect China to pass the United States as the world's largest economy (measured in dollars), but the estimated date varies from 2030 to 2050 depending on assumptions about the slowing rate of Chinese growth. Even if China someday passes the United States in total economic size, that is not the only measure of geopolitical importance....

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