There are 193 countries in the world. There are many countries that wield significant global influence. There are also nations that are seen as regional powers and those projected to be global powers in the coming decades.
However, there is no country that plays a role as significant as the United States in world affairs. America’s influence around the world is unparalleled. But why? Why is America so strong as a country, and what makes it the most powerful country in the world?
1. America’s Military Power
A first reason why America is the most powerful country in the world is the US military.
America has one of the largest armed forces in the world. With over a million active soldiers, over 6,000 battle tanks, more than 2,000 combat aircraft and nearly 500 warships, the US military is absolutely enormous. It is larger than 95 countries armed forces combined – that’s half the entire worlds. The size of the American military is a major reason why it is such a powerful country.
As well as having an enormous armed forces, the American military is probably the most technologically advanced in the world. This makes the US armed forces more effective than many other countries and its another key reason for America’s global power.
The US has soldiers based in more than 70 countries around the world. America’s ability to project its military strength adds further to its ability to influence global affairs.
America has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world. It is estimated the US has over 2,000 nuclear warheads. This only add to America’s immense military power and confirms it as the strongest country in the world.
2. The Size of The US Economy
A second reason why America is a so powerful is because of the size of the US economy.
America is the largest economy in the world by far. It makes up nearly a quarter of the entire world economy. The enormity of the US economy means it dominates global trade, finance and international business. Being the largest economy in the world gives America immense power.
The United States has a GDP per capita of around 63,500 USD. This is average that an American citizen earns. This is the highest among the world’s large economies. Essentially, American’s are among the richest people in the world.
The wealth America generates is key to its position as the strongest country in the world.
Being the wealthiest country in the world allows America the funds to be a global power. America’s GDP means it has the financial resources to support both domestic and international programmes that promote the US, protect its interests and ensure its strength is maintained.
3. The US Has a Large Population
A third reason why America is a powerful country is the size of the US population.
America is the third most populous country in the world. It has 331 million people. Having a large population helps a country enormously. It allows it to create a bigger economy, have a larger army and have a more productive workforce.
The large size of the US population ensures that America’s economy remains dynamic and innovative and this directly relates to America’s international power.
As well as having a large population, the United States has several large global cities. New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston are all major world cities. America has ten cities with populations over a million people. Having a large population, combined with a range of major cities that are linked to the wider global economy, are major factors in America’s success as a country and its current position as global leader.
Not every country with a big population becomes a superpower. However, America has effectively harnessed its large population to become an incredibly strong country.
4. The Geographic Size of the US
Another reason why the United States is a powerful country is because of its geographic size.
The United States of America is enormous. At 9.83 million square kilometres, it is the fourth largest country in the world. Larger countries are generally more powerful. They have more people, are easier to defend, have more resources and are better able to yield influence over smaller countries in their region.
The United States is the among the largest countries in the Western Hemisphere and this is a key reason for its strength as a nation.
Economists have shown that being a larger country is beneficial for a nation. It reduces a countries reliance on external trade and business as more can be produced within its borders. Larger countries are also subjected less to foreign aggression.
The bigger a country the larger it’s economy, and the more influence it can have on global affairs. All of these factors have been key to the United States becoming the most powerful country in the world.
5. American Businesses Lead the World
America has some of the biggest and most important businesses in the world. This is a key reason why it is so powerful.
Think of the most powerful and influential companies in the world, and you’re probably thinking of American ones. Apple, Amazon, Coca Cola, Microsoft, and Google, to name a just a few, are among the leading businesses globally. Businesses such as these have enormous worldwide markets.
Having internationally important companies that do business around the world is a major factor in America’s global strength.
American businesses dominate many parts of the world. They are highly recognisable and are often famous established brands. This makes the US a powerful country because it means people around the world build a connection with American lifestyles and values. American companies also outperform local brands in many countries, further adding to the American global influence.
In the world of business, the United States leads the world. This is a key reason why it is such as powerful country.
6. American Innovation and Technology
The United States is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. This is a key reason why it is so powerful.
In the modern world, technology is strength. Countries that can produce high-tech goods, develop new advanced machinery and computers, and utilise information and technology effectively, are ensured influential positions in the global order.
Many countries around the world rely on American technology and this is an important reason why it is the most powerful county in the world.
America is one of the world leaders in innovation. Many of the technologies that we use every day were developed in the United States.
Americas’ ability to innovate not only ensures the country has a world leader economy, but also means their armed forces has access to the latest advanced weaponry. These two factors combined are crucial to America’s strength on the world stage.
7. America’s Domination of the Global Financial System
Another reason why America is the most powerful country in the world is its control of the global financial system.
The US dollar is the world’s leading currency. It is held as reserves by many countries as a back-up for their own currency. Most international trades are done in dollars and some key commodities, such as oil, can only be traded using American dollars. The power of the US dollar internationally is key to America’s strength as a country.
The world financial system – the connection between global banks, international financial institutions, governments and businesses, is dominated by America. US banks set many of the international standards for the world financial system. Much of the system relies on American technology, and huge amounts of money are routed through America.
The control the US has over international finance is perhaps the most important reason why is the most powerful country in the world.
8. The US Is Rich In Natural Resources
Another reason why America is so powerful as a country is because it is rich in natural resources.
The United States has enormous reserves of oil, coal, copper, timber, lead, iron, natural gas, bauxite, and uranium. Natural resources such as these are foundational to the global economy. America’s reserves mean the country has cheap and easy access to the resources needed to power its economy. It also decreases American dependence on other countries.
America is increasingly becoming self-reliant on its natural resources. It is working hard to better exploit the resources it has. This move will only make the US stronger.
A key factors to America’s success is that its economy is highly diversified and not overly dependent on resource extraction. This means the US avoids many of the pitfall’s countries that are blessed with natural resources experience. America’s huge reserves of natural resources are a major reason why the country is powerful.
9. America Faces No Major Threats
A further reason why the united states is a powerful country is because it faces no major global threats.
America is not at risk of invasion. There are no countries bordering America that are likely to attack it. In fact, there are very few countries in the world with the strength to attack America. Any that did would risk facing enormous repercussions. Essentially, America is in a position where it faces no threat to its survival – this is key to its power in the world.
As the US has almost no risk of being attacked – at least on the scale that would jeopardize is existence, it has allowed America to focus on projecting its power abroad. For example, the US does not need to keep significant military forces stationed at its border to deter and repel an attack. This means American forces can be stationed around the world where they can launch attacks against America’s enemies on their territory.
The lack of significant threats against America has allowed the country to become enormously powerful.
10. America’s Network Of Alliances
America has a strong network of alliances around the world. This contributes to America’s position as the most powerful country in the world.
No country can act alone. All nations must build alliances with other countries that share their strategic interests. Alliances are key to a countries defense, as well as its ability to protect its interests abroad.
The US is one of the leading countries of the NATO alliance. This provides mutual protection for the United States and Canada and many countries in Europe. America also has key alliances in the Far East, including Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Across the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Pacific, many major countries are also allied to the United States.
Having alliances allows America to be seen as a guarantor of much of the current international order. Huge numbers of countries owe their security to America, and many more look to the United States for leadership on the world stage.
America’s combination of formal alliances, and international diplomacy, are key to why it is a powerful country.
11. American Culture’s Global Influence
US culture dominates the world. This is another factor that is key to America’s global power.
American film, music, art and books are consumed all around the world. American culture is enormously popular almost everywhere, often competing with local productions. American popular culture is ubiquitous the world over – this adds significantly to global power of the US.
By having its culture consumed the world over, America creates an affinity with people in almost every country. People feel they have an understanding of America through its culture. Promotion of a country’s culture is seen as a key ‘soft power’ tool – and the United States is a world leader in promoting its culture around the world.
Not only does having American culture consumed globally add to America’s power in the world, it also makes US companies enormous sums of money. This further adds to the strength of the US.
12. America’s Education System
The American education system is among the best in the world. This is another reason why the United States is a powerful country.
Having a strong education system is key to a country’s success. By providing quality education to almost all children a nation can ensure a qualified workforce. This prepares their population to work in high-skilled jobs, allows for innovation in business and fuels a rich economy. America’s schools are vital to its global power.
America’s education system especially excels at college level. The United States has five of the top ten universities in the world. The range of quality academic institutions across America means the country has a highly educated population. It also means America has many intuitions conducting a wide range of research. The combination of these two factors are key to America’s position as the most powerful county in the world.
13. America’s Political System
A final reason why the United States is the most powerful country in the world is because of its political system.
In recent years, America’s political system has been criticized for being ineffective – corrupt, bi-partisan, unable to change or adapt and allowing too much or too little power in different governmental institutions. America’s political system is not perfect – but no country’s is. However, the political system of the US is actually foundational to America’s position as a powerful country.
American democracy, combined with its federal system, is key to America’s strength. It has allowed the US economy to grow enormously, whilst empowering individuals and providing businesses the space to innovate and grow. Different states within the federal system are able to adapt to their own values and circumstances, providing a dynamism within the countries economy and breathing space within its political system.
The focus on the rule of law, participatory democracy, individual freedom and the rights to freedom of speech and a free press are just some of the aspects of America’s political system that, in fact, have led it to become the most powerful country in the world.