people from the US need to understand that when you argue that it is right for you to be 'the superpower' you are also arguing that the rest of the world should be subservient
I'm not American. Not one bit.
Except in the sense that we in the western world are all americans to some extent.
Also, although America may not be very good at holding up to its own promise, at least it symbolises freedom, democracy, etc. If America's not the superpower, who do you suggest? China? Russia?
America may have flaws, but, like capitalism and democracy, it's still better than the alternatives.
You are making the same mistake as many Americans in equating the values of freedom and democracy with being American. There are many other countries of the world that are at least as democratic and free as the US. Nor is America the originator of western democracy. America just happens to be the largest and loudest.
Why does there have to be a single superpower? It doesn't make sense and it isn't sustainable. With 20-25% of the world GDP the US just can't do it even the world wanted it to (which it generally doesn't).
I would consider Great Britain to be the originator of western democracy. The earliest roots of this are in the English Bill of Rights in 1689. Admittedly it wasn't initially what we would expect from a democracy but access improved over time. When America was founded the version of democracy was undoubtedly a significant improvement but it would have been influenced by the British model.
Over time other nations have created arguably better versions (proportional representation for example) and of course the US and Britain have improved their system as well by allowing more people to vote.
I personally believe the Parliamentary system originated in the UK is more robust than the US's presidential system. In a parlimentary system the prime minister is immediately accountable to the parliment. Their party (or a majority of parliament) can chose to dump them at any time which means that you are less likely to be stuck with some wack job in power for 4 years.
I alse believe the lack of preferential voting makes it virtually impossible for any other party to gain significant traction or become president. The only choice is Rep, Dem or waste your vote. This effectively denies genuine representation to people who's views are different from those a both parties. The preferential voting system is resonable for this but in my view proportional representation is the curent 'state of the art' in democracy.
I'm not American. Not one bit.
Except in the sense that we in the western world are all americans to some extent.
Also, although America may not be very good at holding up to its own promise, at least it symbolises freedom, democracy, etc. If America's not the superpower, who do you suggest? China? Russia?
America may have flaws, but, like capitalism and democracy, it's still better than the alternatives.