Will The Muslim world have a Superpower?

[Jade]

No present Muslim country can become a superpower. They are smaller (Indonesia being the largest Muslim country has 1/6th of India's population)

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Yes right, even becoming world power would be tough.

Though China is not a world power right now. Only Russia fits that category. China can not take the war to European or American landmass. But Russia can. (keeping Nukes out)

Russia without nuclear weapons cannot hit on US soil, she can hit on West Europe thanks to the geographic advantage she has over China.

 

[King Solomon]

Being a super power is not technically possible without adequate natural resources because without resources, you won't be able to support your military in a large-scale war. A quick look at the history of both US and Russia would reveal the importance natural resources played in their rise. Both US and Russia has vast amounts. By that measure, if a country had to be a superpower within the Islamic world, Saudi Arabia or Iran would be my best bet. Or GCC as a block. But a shift in priorities and policies is required first.

Pakistan has no chance of being a superpower because it lacks natural resources. Same goes for Turkey. Turkey is only doing good because of skillful management of international relations and pragmatic policies. But being a superpower is a different ball game.

India is a good candidate in this regard, although it is a secular state with Hindu majority. Muslims have a good representation in India's government. I don't understand why Muslims hate India.

 

[timetravel]

Yes, though, while not aiming for an economy war with fellow Muslim states, Pakistan can indeed reach the trillion benchmark faster than most people think. Think about this, we have a population of 190 Million people, and about 7 million abroad. Even though we had chronic electric shortages, our economy still grew at 3.7% in the 2012 term period. At the same time, the money pouring in from Pakistani ex-pats grew from 13 Billion to 14.5 Billion, making it the 8th largest in the world. And along with this, only 2-3% of Pakistanis pay taxes, which makes us collect about 10 billion dollars. If we increase that number to say at least 40%, than we can make more than a 100 billion dollars out of taxes alone.

Reaching trillion dollar would be very difficult. The problems are social in nature and cannot be wished away just by thinking. If same things are implemented in India, we could touch 10 trillion mark immediately as our population is 1.21 billion. But its not that easy.

Also I see lot of people here saying these countries can be world power or regional powers etc.

But that is not the question. The question is can any Muslim country be the LONE SUPER POWER in this world LIKE USA of today.

but I think the answer is a obvious NO.

 

[Jade]

A Muslim superpower must have nuclear weapons, therefore it is Pakistan no doubt.

Without nuclear weapons, you will get blackmailed by other nuclear powers, so forget about your developing economy.

Now it is too late the develop the nuclear weapon, and fortunately Pakistan has catched the last bus to develop the nuclear weapon.

Now Pakistan has no pressure to expand its nuclear stockpile and to develop ICBM, the same cannot be said, for example North Korea and Iran.

I feel that in next twenty years, world is going to give up nukes for good. So, Bigger is your economy better are you chance of becoming a power. No Muslim country has the potential to become superpower. Though Indonesia and Turkey have a chance to become regional powers

 

[Surenas]

KSA doesn't have the resources to be a superpower either. They lack a big population + scientific basis.

I would place my bet on Iran, or Turkey. Although Iran need a different regime to accomplish this.

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

we could touch 10 trillion mark immediately as our population is 1.21 billion. But its not that easy.

lol, only China will reach close to 10 trillion mark this year, while your economy is only equivalent to the China of 2002.

While China's average growth rate from 2002 to 2012 was above 8%, but India cannot keep its annual growth 8% anymore.

 

[Peregrine]

Turkey seems to have better prospects than the rest.............For Pakistan, future leadership will play a vital role.

 

[Jade]

Being a super power is not technically possible without adequate natural resources because without resources, you won't be able to support your military in a large-scale war. A quick look at the history of both US and Russia would reveal the importance natural resources played in their rise. Both US and Russia has vast amounts. By that measure, if a country had to be a superpower within the Islamic world, Saudi Arabia or Iran would be my best bet. Or GCC as a block. But a shift in priorities and policies is required first.

Pakistan has no chance of being a superpower because it lacks natural resources. Same goes for Turkey. Turkey is only doing good because of skillful management of international relations and pragmatic policies. But being a superpower is a different ball game.

India is a good candidate in this regard, although it is a secular state with Hindu majority. Muslims have a good representation in India's government. I don't understand why Muslims hate India.

Muslims don't hate India, Pakistanis do.

 

[King Solomon]

KSA doesn't have the resources to be a superpower either. They lack a big population + scientific basis.

I would place my bet on Iran, or Turkey. Although Iran need a different regime to accomplish this.

They do have oil. But in a way you're right, they do lack other resources and the capability to sustain without trade (agriculture). In that respect, Iran is favoured.

Another potential factor is immigration. Right now, my guess is that the brilliant minds from Islamic world tends to emigrate to US or Europe. Any country which hopes to be superpower should make provisions for attracting these talents.

 

[DRaisinHerald]

Pakistan, once Imran's gov comes to power. Countries like Iran and KSA run on oil, which means they're done for once that oil runs out.

 

[Surenas]

They do have oil. But in a way you're right, they do lack other resources and the capability to sustain without trade (agriculture). In that respect, Iran is favoured.

Yes, they have enough energy, but still I don't see them becoming a superpower in the short-term. Not even if they forge a alliance with GCC.

Another potential factor is immigration. Right now, my guess is that the brilliant minds from Islamic world tends to emigrate to US or Europe. Any country which hopes to be superpower should make provisions for attracting these talents.

Millions of high-educated and rich Iranians are living in the US or Europe. Once a more open, secular and democratic regime has established in Iran, tons of opportunities will arise in Iran. In the end, not even Turkey could compete with it.

 

[DRaisinHerald]

No present Muslim country can become a superpower. They are smaller (Indonesia being the largest Muslim country has 1/6th of India's population)

Population hardly matters. A population of 50m plus is more than enough for any country. Over 200m for countries smaller than 2000000 km2 is too much.

 

[RayKalm]

Actually, @DRaisinHerald, you're underestimating how much population matters. If Saudi Arabia had a population of a 200 million it would have a much better chance of growth and becoming more powerful than it does today due to the lack of population.

 

[Peregrine]

Pakistan has no chance of being a superpower because it lacks natural resources. Same goes for Turkey. Turkey is only doing good because of skillful management of international relations and pragmatic policies. But being a superpower is a different ball game.

India is a good candidate in this regard, although it is a secular state with Hindu majority. Muslims have a good representation in India's government. I don't understand why Muslims hate India.

And what resources does india have?