From: J.Ainikkal@massey.ac.nz (J. Ainikkal)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian,soc.culture.usa
Subject: Re: Naive Foreigners (Re: Nitya/abortion rights/s.s.chawathe)
Summary: U.S. Dominance
Keywords: U.S. Dominance
Date: 11 Sep 92 03:20:21 GMT
 <1992Sep10.161017.4686@Firewall.Nielsen.Com> <1992Sep10.171450.27043@news2.cis.umn.edu> <1992Sep10.183644.7846@Firewall.Nielsen.Com>
Organization: Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
X-Reader: NETNEWS/PC Version 2c

S. Prabhakar writes:
>Alvin Toffler, in his great book POWERSHIFT, says that
>futurepower of nations will arise from Military, Wealth and
>Knowledge.  

>There is no claim here for innovation. Toffler was just putting
>forces in perspective. Sometimes, the most obvious truths are
>the least visible. 

Sometimes the most obvious of truths is also the most obvious of
lies. Although nations could get powerful with increasing
military budgets, military power does not necessarily increase
their wealth, or 'business knowledge'. The U.S. and the Russians
lead the world with their military might - How wealthy is average
Russian? How wealthy will the average American be 50 years from
today? They (the Americans) are losing the 'knowledge' battle and
subsequently the 'wealth' war.

 
>According to Toffler, the dominant American edge lies in its
>Knowledge. Knowledge comprises in scientific and cultural
>dominance. America dominates the world in science and techology
>research.  If we look at derived, product and extension
>technologies, others may hold the aces. America totally
>dominates fundmamental research.Eventual dominance comes not
>from a more-miniaturized walkman. 

Fortunately it is the most miniaturized walkman that makes the
difference. It might come as a surprise to U, but many Kiwis are
beginning to learn Japanese-No longer is French or Swedish as
appealing. A whole new culture is beginning to dominate the world
with their miniature walkmans - And the world is beginning to
listen to a new different tune.
 
>Also, America's preeminence comes from its small companies and
>not from its F 500 giants. 
 
America's preeminence comes from its multinationals which have
incomes greater than many countries in the world. The American
products sold in New Zealand/Australia are all products of giant
Multinationals. Most of the smaller companies in the U.S. are
closing down due to Japanese competition.

>More importantly, America  
>dominates the world (perhaps there is no second) in spreading
>its culture around. This rather intangible ability comes mostly
>from the 'lingua franca' status of the English language and
>America's ability to assimilate foreigners  
>and their cultures so easily while others thrive on their
>insularity. 

Cultural dominance of the world comes through economic dominance.
As America loses the economic battle so will it lose its cultural
dominance. 

Insularity could give rise to eugenics and a 'racially superior'
attitude - which in turn could lead to wealth- this is in no way
'bad'. America, with time, might have a tougher time
'assimilating foreigners' as other nations get wealthier. It
worked for the Germans and its working for the Japanese.

>The world devours things Americana. 
                ^^(ed)

Today the world devours things Japanese - Not only are they
smaller, but they are also cheaper and of a higher quality.

>While movies may be a significant part, they are not the only
>part. CNN, MTV, Nike, Pepsi, McDonalds, Madonna, Visa...the list
>goes on! 
 

|By the way, Madonna is a `babe' the world admires, and she 
|will do it all in front of the TV, and even in Vatican. So don't
|ever tell me that: 
:) 

|>Stuff about 'babes' is irrelevant. 
:) 

>Satya Prabhakar 

I had to add my 2 New Zealand cents (approximately 1 U.S. cent)
worth to the debate. 

|Murthy 
Do keep those files coming:)

John Ainikkal
'Aotearoa' - Land of the long white cloud 
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian