America is on a social and economic death spiral

In this round I will argue that America is NOT on a “social and economic death spiral”. I will also like to a draw a contrast with America compared with previous Great Nations, such as Imperial Rome, the British Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. C1: America has a Powerful Economy The United States has the world’s largest economy at over $17 trillion. The breadth of our national wealth also has the broadest width – we deliver the highest prosperity and the highest standard of living to the most people on earth. At a GDP per capita of more than $48,000, we significantly outsize China ($8,400) and Russia ($21,000) [3]. Furthermore, the United States has/ is: The world’s largest middle class The world’s largest industrial base The world’s largest exporter About 80% of global trade is conducted with U.S. dollars [5]. This isn’t nearly as close as the Euro or the Chinese yuan. The United States has also grown much faster than the Eurozone, which indicates our economic vitality [6]. C2: America is Powerful Militarily The United States is the most generous nation in the world when it comes to foreign aid. We are investing in our soft power, and our remarkable commitment to economic growth abroad is a testament to our economic vitality at home. [1]Foreign Aid (Overseas development assistance): We also have the most advanced military hardware. Whether it comes to our infantry, main battle tanks, or our superior airforce, we trump any potential adversaries [2]. The Russian military is antiquated, as was evident in its 2008 invasion of Georgia. The Chinese military primarily relies on relics of the Cold War itself. We are the leader of the free world and this hasn’t changed in recent years. C3: America has a sound Government The United States is a liberal democracy. People have broad political rights and civil liberties. People are free to run for political office, to vote, to live their lives freely. Contrast this to nations which have suffered decline, where the rights of the people have fallen. We also have a vibrant and dynamic civil society. We have a flurry of institutions that are the makeup of American life, whether it is religious groups, civic organizations, sports activities, or charities. C4: The United States is Growing Not only our economy is developing, but our population is as well. Unlike many European nations and Japan, our population is continually rising. More people are entering the United States than leaving [4]. If we were facing systematic decline, we would most likely not see this phenomenon. C5: America has the right values The people of America have the values and principles that will stave off decline. By and large, the vast majority of Americans believe in the ideas of hard work, savings, thrift, individualism, freedom, and opportunity. We have been able to confront massive challenges before, whether it is the American Civil War, slavery, Nazi Germany, the War on Terrorism, Jim Crow, or the Great Depression. Conclusion The United States is continuing to grow as a nation. Our economy is becoming more dynamic and innovative, and our firms lead the world in cutting-edge technology. Our population is continuing to increase – paving an exception to the rest of the developing world. We have a powerful military, and we have tremendous influence abroad. The fabric of American life is also robust, as the people of our country have the values and principles that make America strong and vibrant. We also have a huge civil society that accompanies the largest middle class in the world. We are stronger today than we were several years ago, and the problems the United States faces are smaller than challenges we have faced before. Thank you. [1] (http://www.oecd.org...) [2] (http://www.businessinsider.com.au...) [3] (http://www.economicshelp.org...) [4] (http://www.indexmundi.com...) [5] (http://www.premiercares.net...) [6] (https://agenda.weforum.org...)