Countries that can compete with the West

[Profileid]

In terms of military,economy and society.
The only one I believe truly fits into this category is Japan.
While not initially on par with western powers during the feudal era, after having contacts with the Americans they realized how far behind they were in development and modernized and built up their military.Mostly without western help.
They were able to beat the Russians during the war with them in the 19th century and managed to hold their own on equal footing with the US in WWII.
Fast forward to today and they live in one of the most peaceful,highly developed and wealthy countries on earth. Beyond America and most of Europe even.
And they've been able to successfully export their technology and culture to a good portion of the world.
How many people drive a Toyota or Honda or have at least something made by Sony,Toshiba and so forth. Not to mention the popularity of Japanese culture with young westerners. That they have been able to exert soft power by cultural influence distinguishes them from Russia or China.

[wvwvw]

Japan is ready to default

[Ülev]

what about Albania? they are everywhere

[Bezprym]

They were able to beat the Russians during the war with them in the 19th century

[Profileid]

Japan is ready to default

Doesn't matter.

[zhaoyun]

Maybe in 1940. Your perceptions are way outdated.

China's really the only nation state capable of being a peer competitor to the US.

[wvwvw]

Korea too

[Profileid]

Maybe in 1940. Your perceptions are way outdated.

China's really the only nation state capable of being a peer competitor to the US.

It has military and industrial power,but that is only one aspect of it. I'm talking about cultural influence and what companies from that country are actually able to produce.

Does China have any home developed car brands that have the market penetration of Honda,Mistubishi,Toyota or Mazda? People associate Japanese products with quality.
While Japan isn't in the state it was in the 1980s, it's still nothing to scoff at.

[Ülev]

India and Bollywood industry then

[Colonel Frank Grimes]

Japan doesn't have much of a military today but obviously they were a force to reckon with from the 1890s until the end of WW2. If the Japanese emperor hadn't listen to his generals instead of his admirals WW2 would have turned out differently for the Axis powers. The admirals wanted a war that would place them of highest importance (war with the US). The generals knew that would end in failure. They pushed for a war against the Soviets. It would have work perfectly with the Soviets having to fight on two fronts and the Japanese would have had the oil it needed. The US wouldn't have been attacked and so FDR's attempts at maneuvering the US into the war in Europe by provoking Germany's ally into attacking the US by not selling Japan oil and convincing other nations to not do so either wouldn't have worked.