Top 5 Most Powerful Countries

Rules: America is #1 because freedom. Enjoy.

America is not a country, but a continent.

The United States of America is conformed by several states. But I'd argue they'd be the most powerful (not "America"😉.

As per National Power Index:

1. USA
2. China
3. France
4. UK
5. Germany

Source: http://www.whichcountry.co/which-country-is-most-powerful-in-the-world/

As per military capability:

1. USA
2. Russia
3. China
4. India
5. UK

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/11-most-powerful-militaries-in-the-world-2014-4

On Economic terms:

1. USA
2. China
3. Japan
4. Germany
5. France

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/globalbusiness/9765161/The-worlds-most-powerful-economies.html?frame=2436289

IMO:

1. USA
2. Russia
3. China
4. India
5. France

Russia has volatile power. Nuclear weapons are a poor way of ranking nations because it's an asset that's effectively impossible to use except at the risk of the nation's own ruin, be it through nuclear retaliation or isolation and ostracizing. Except Germany and maybe India, every nation mentioned so far has the capacity to retaliate against every other nation through nuclear means (idk how long the range of India's missiles are, but I have the feeling they lack the ability to strike targets in the US, UK, France, and European Russia since not too long ago they made a big deal about finally having a missile that put them in range of the entirety of China), so we can probably set nukes aside. If you do, you'll see that Russia is hopelessly outclassed by the likes of China and the USA in terms of economic, conventional military, and soft power (diplomatic) capability. I don't think there's much room for debate about the top three powers: USA, then China, then Russia.

Originally posted by Bentley
America is not a country, but a continent.

The United States of America is conformed by several states. But I'd argue they'd be the most powerful (not "America"😉.

Originally posted by Omega Vision
Russia has volatile power. Nuclear weapons are a poor way of ranking nations because it's an asset that's effectively impossible to use except at the risk of the nation's own ruin, be it through nuclear retaliation or isolation and ostracizing. Except Germany and maybe India, every nation mentioned so far has the capacity to retaliate against every other nation through nuclear means (idk how long the range of India's missiles are, but I have the feeling they lack the ability to strike targets in the US, UK, France, and European Russia since not too long ago they made a big deal about finally having a missile that put them in range of the entirety of China), so we can probably set nukes aside. If you do, you'll see that Russia is hopelessly outclassed by the likes of China and the USA in terms of economic, conventional military, and soft power (diplomatic) capability. I don't think there's much room for debate about the top three powers: USA, then China, then Russia.

You nitpick like someone who isn't American. uhuh

I just need to sound foreign every once in a while.

Not sure if India really belongs in the top 5, considering the living conditions of the average Indian.

USA is, for sure, the most powerful country in the world currently.
The only country I can think of that has a chance to surpass them economically (if possible) is China.

IMO

1.USA
2.China
3.Russia
4.Germany
5.Japan/France

In terms of global power, India has great potential but low actual clout. Things may change with Narenda Modi at the helm. He's vowed to take on corruption and make India a more active player in international relations. Right now India's main card is that it can tip the scales for either side in a contest between any of the main great powers. For instance if America were to ever become an isolationist country and disengage from the Asia-Pacific region, an alliance between India and Japan (which is rapidly becoming a reality even now) would be enough to deter China from pushing its weight too hard.

Originally posted by AsbestosFlaygon
5.Japan/France

Japan? They surely piss of France when it comes to money, but their diplomatic weight and lack of army is discouraging for picturing them as all that powerful.

I'm curious on why people are putting France as the head superpower of Europe and not England. Any reasons why?

Originally posted by DarthAnt66
I'm curious on why people are putting France as the head superpower of Europe and not England. Any reasons why?

USA
Wakanda
Kahndaq
Genosha
Latveria

Daaaamn it, that was my answer too, but I couldn't recall the Mutant country.

Genosha. 👆

Originally posted by DarthAnt66
I'm curious on why people are putting France as the head superpower of Europe and not England. Any reasons why?

Militarily, the UK is still top dog in Europe, and thanks to its special relationship with the USA and its position as head of the Commonwealth of Nations, it wields considerable diplomatic influence.

Originally posted by DarthAnt66
Rules: America is #1 because freedom. Enjoy.

So the criteria is power, but freedom makes it #1? Smacks of needless patriotism, and it confuses the criteria. I have no idea what you're going for here.

Originally posted by S_W_LeGenD
As per National Power Index:

1. USA
2. China
3. France
4. UK
5. Germany

Source: http://www.whichcountry.co/which-country-is-most-powerful-in-the-world/

As per military capability:

1. USA
2. Russia
3. China
4. India
5. UK

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/11-most-powerful-militaries-in-the-world-2014-4

On Economic terms:

1. USA
2. China
3. Japan
4. Germany
5. France

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/globalbusiness/9765161/The-worlds-most-powerful-economies.html?frame=2436289

IMO:

1. USA
2. Russia
3. China
4. India
5. France

Hooray for sources, and data to backs whatever claims you're making! Anything less is just jabber jawing.

Originally posted by Bentley
I just need to sound foreign every once in a while.

Digi: I'm pretty sure OP was just kidding with his "America is #1 because of freedom" comment. Lighten up a little. He's undeniably right about the United States being at the top (no other country even comes close militarily) but I'm pretty sure he actually knows that it's not because of freedom.

Originally posted by Star428
Digi: I'm pretty sure OP was just kidding with his "America is #1 because of freedom" comment. Lighten up a little. He's undeniably right about the United States being at the top (no other country even comes close militarily) but I'm pretty sure he actually knows that it's not because of freedom.

I've lived in the Midwest my entire life. Statements like that aren't automatically kidding. You're probably right, but it still wouldn't hurt to have established criteria first. As it is, SWL's post is the only to break it into identifiable and measurable variables.

Real red-blooded conservatives often sound indistinguishable from liberal satirists.

Human Development Index (HDI). This measures life expectancy, education and income. There are also some rankings that add in economic and gender equality.

1. Norway
2. Australia
3. Switzerland
4. Netherlands
5. USA

When adjusted for social inequality,

1. Norway
2. Australia
3. Netherlands.
4. Switzerland
5. Germany
.
.
.
28. USA (WTF guys?)

Originally posted by AsbestosFlaygon
Not sure if India really belongs in the top 5, considering the living conditions of the average Indian.

USA is, for sure, the most powerful country in the world currently.
The only country I can think of that has a chance to surpass them economically (if possible) is China.

IMO

1.USA
2.China
3.Russia
4.Germany
5.Japan/France

You won't rank India because of living conditions but you rank China and Russia? 😄

Originally posted by krisblaze
Human Development Index (HDI). This measures life expectancy, education and income. There are also some rankings that add in economic and gender equality.

1. Norway
2. Australia
3. Switzerland
4. Netherlands
5. USA

When adjusted for social inequality,

1. Norway
2. Australia
3. Netherlands.
4. Switzerland
5. Germany
.
.
.
28. USA (WTF guys?)