Lay down the foundations for a Second American Century

The American Century has its foundations laid out during the mid-to-late 19th Century and the early 20th Century. What would be the necessary steps taken to ensure that the United States continues to dominate the world in terms of diplomacy, economy and military; maintain a positive image in more countries of the world (North Korea, obviously, can be excluded in this), and be a paragon of true stability, freedom and liberty?

PODs may start from January 1, 1900. Any other date after that is allowed.
 

jahenders

Banned
I think a few would be necessary to have a strong probability of such:
1) US manufacturing isn't driven out of the market on so many products. That is, the US remains competitive at producing lots of things.

2) The structure of the UN doesn't change, leaving the original "big 5" with lots of the power.

3) The US significantly reduces its deficit spending and debt, maintaining stronger economic power

4) Limit engagement in the Middle East to things with maximum success. More fully trounce Saddam in the Gulf War and avoid the invasion of Iraq, avoid the marine barracks in Lebanon, avoid Blackhawk Down in Somalia, and avoid taking 'weak actions' (i.e. cruise missiles at empty camps).
 
I think a few would be necessary to have a strong probability of such:
1) US manufacturing isn't driven out of the market on so many products. That is, the US remains competitive at producing lots of things.

2) The structure of the UN doesn't change, leaving the original "big 5" with lots of the power.

3) The US significantly reduces its deficit spending and debt, maintaining stronger economic power

4) Limit engagement in the Middle East to things with maximum success. More fully trounce Saddam in the Gulf War and avoid the invasion of Iraq, avoid the marine barracks in Lebanon, avoid Blackhawk Down in Somalia, and avoid taking 'weak actions' (i.e. cruise missiles at empty camps).
on point 2 i believe the 5 would have to be expanded 8 or 10
 
The Gang of Four succeed in gaining power in China and it doesn't go down the reformist path of Deng Xiaoping.

China remains an impoverished Maoist third world country with little global economic influence.

The void left by avoiding a rising China as per OTL would mostly be filled by the US, Japan and its Western European allies.
 

Daniels

Banned
The US needs just another major war it can prolong like it did with WW1 and WW2 - so all the competition devours one another. Perhaps a hot Sino-Soviet conflict in 1969-1972 (without Nukes) where the US can support the weaker side. This would leave Russia, China and perhaps even Korea/Japan economically and militarily far weaker than OTL and would increase US influence in East Asia.
 
My personal opinion is that despite a few rather large stumbles since 2000, the conditions still exist. While China still aspires to global leadership, the US remains the dominant political. military, economic and cultural power on the planet. That can, of course, change but for now it remains the case.

Now, if you want to make this as clear cut as possible, retard the growth of the Chinese economy since 1989. There are plenty of ways to do that. If you want to add to this, prolong the Cold War.
 
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