Hmmnn, not trying to be a Sinophile or anything, but doesn't China still hold the claim of having one of the longest reign of cultural superiority in history?

China's time at the top in terms of cultural influence, military might, and intellectual powerhouse, ranges from about 1046 BC - 1644, which makes it about 2690 years perched on the numero uno spot. When compared with this, America's 230 years as the top dog in the world is really nothing much to shout about, wouldn't you agree? :P

Granted, the spread and influence of American culture has reached a much greater number of people around the world, but that can largely be attributed to today's technologies, such as the TV, internet, radio, etc.

Ditto with Pax Britannica (1815 - 1870), lasting only a mere 55 years.

P.S.: Might I suggest a browse through my quick and dirty unauthoritative guide to ancient China here: http://sigma.blogsome.com/2005/12/23/ancient-chinese-dynasties/? ;)

By sigma, at 06 July, 2006 03:26  

Opps, missed the last bit of that URL above. It's actually ends with the word 'dynasties/'.

Cheers!

By sigma, at 06 July, 2006 03:29  

Nope, disagree. Ancient China never had the influence the US currently has. True, technology plays a large part in it but I'm comparing in term of "of all times" so, technology has to be incorporated. In fact, in term of technology, the US has made more discoveries in the last 50 years than ancient/medieval China had in 2 millennia.

True China was great in the ancient and mediavel eras but that China is not as or influential as USA.

By __earth, at 06 July, 2006 11:03