Could The US Become Number Two?

"In my national security course at Harvard, my lecture on China begins with a quiz. The first question asks students to compare China and the United States in 1980 with their current rankings. Repeatedly, students are shocked at what they see... The second question pricks more delusions. It asks students: When might the US actually find itself number two? In what year might China overtake the United States to become the number-one auto market, the biggest market for luxury goods, or even the largest economy in the world, full stop?"

Graham Allison, Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides's Trap?

Take the Quizzes:

QUIZ 1: China, as a percentage of the United States

 19802015
GDP7%?
Imports8%?
Exports8%?
Reserves16%?

All figures in current US $

  • Click to Reveal Answers

    QUIZ 1 Results:

     19802015
    GDP7%61%
    Imports8%73%
    Exports8%151%
    Reserves16%3,140%

 

QUIZ 2: When Did China Become #1?

Economy (PPP)?
Primary engine of global economic growth?
Trading Nation?
Manufacturer?
Largest Middle Class?
E-commerce market?
Education Rankings?
Patent Filings?
Fastest Supercomputer?
Artificial Intelligence research?
Automaker?
Number of internet users?
Steel producer?
Holder of US debt?
Carbon emitter?
Number of billionaires?
Solar power capacity?
Smartphone market?
Energy consumer?
Saver?

 

  • Click to Reveal Answers

    QUIZ 2 Results:

    Economy (PPP)2014
    Primary engine of global economic growth2010
    Trading Nation2012
    Manufacturer2011
    Largest Middle Class2015
    E-commerce market2013
    Education Rankings2009
    Patent Filings2011
    Fastest Supercomputer2010
    Artificial Intelligence research2016
    Automaker2009
    Number of internet users2008
    Steel producer2010
    Holder of US debt2008
    Carbon emitter2006
    Number of billionaires2015
    Solar power capacity2016
    Smartphone market2012
    Energy consumer2010
    Saver2008