nothing stays forever hah!...

To the first part of your question, no. We'll joke about how we ruled the world, but only a very small part of the population really thinks we ought to rule the world now.
The British view towards it's former empire is an odd mix of pride and shame. British people are proud that they brought education, science, technology and so forth to the rest of the world, and there is a certain amount of pride about how well we managed to control our territories, but only a few racists are actually proud of how we enslaved so many people. The general view is, I think, that overall it was a good thing in the long run, but unpleasant at the time. But views are quite varied.
As to the secret of British success, that was threefold. Firstly, the focus on making money. Britain was quite happy to go without formal control of an area, and use puppet regimes rather than the official control that other Empires relied on. This made the population a bit happier. As long as Britain was making money, they didn't mind if the foreign people had their own laws and customs and run themselves, as long as they didn't seem excessively barbaric. Secondly, Britain was very good at making locals feel part of the British Empire. Indian Rajahs could send their children to be educated at Oxford or Cambridge, Sikhs who pacified the Punjab for the Empire were given Knighthoods, African Kings were sent letters of thanks from the British King. The third reason Britain did well was massive technological superiority. Other European powers attempted to dominate their European neighbours, but British soldiers armed with the latest firearms and field guns fought naked men with spears. The Industrial Revolution allowed Britain to produce huge amounts of both raw materials and manufactured goods.

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... I am surprised at your insolence in writing to me at all. You know, as I know, that I bought this constituency... may God's curse light upon you and may it make your women as open and as free to the excise officers as your wives and daughters have always been to me while I have represented your scoundrel corporation.
I have the honour to be... your obliged humble servant, Anthony Henley
- MPs reply to constituent, mid 1700s

Thanks for the reply! It is very informative. My Pakistani friend misses Britain so much that he drinks an cup of English tea everyday.

Only one, China, and it's been receiving economic steroids from US the good shoppers at Walmart.

I donot why u guys saying that India's economy is in shambles??It is the second fastest growing economy and it is quite stable democratic country.I think it is a rightful contendeder for a super power.

To bad the PNAC / Bush Boys didn't realize that the scam was blown.

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Michaelangelo:

The only problem with India is the fact that they don't have the necessary supplies to do anything. If they're running out of clean water how can you expect them to do anything. Without water there is no life.

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Michaelangelo:

Right, the top contenders will be China and India.

I do not need to say much about China but I will surely say why India.
I would say India not because I am an Indian, but i feel its rightly placed so.
1)The armed forces.The Army is the second largest standing Army in the world.The Airforce is among the 5 largest airforces in the world and has one of the most advanced fighters.
The Navy is powered with a strong fleet of Ships, Frigates and submarines.Also has an aircraft carrier, which as u might know is a prized possesion, considering even China dosent have an aircraft carrier, in its fleet(They are still building one).The Navy has the capacity to establish a naval blockade in the Indian ocean.A plan on track to have a 1000 fleet true blue navy by 2016 including two new aircraft carriers.
2)The Strong Economy.Its one of the fastest growing Economies of the World and in now a Trillion Dollar Economy, far ahead of Brasil,South Africa and even Russia.
3)The population.The population is Billion strong and next only to China.The large population of the Non resident Indians all over the world.Huge Population of Indians in Europe,US,Middle East,Australia and many other countries.
4)Cultural Influence over most of Asia.
5)Ideal Location of the country.The geographical position of the country plays a crutial role in its influence over other countries.The position of the Indian pennisula (The south of India), plays a very important role.The country can have an easy grip over the Bay of Bengal, establishing Naval blockade in the the region in the event of war means that the supply lanes are cutt of.A successful blockade can be held against Bangladesh,Burma,Thailand.
The Indian ocean is also very important. A Naval blockade by the India forces in the Indian ocean means essential supple lanes cutt off for pretty much the whole of asia.And a blockade over the Arabian can mean a cutoff of sea lanes for Pakistan, Afghanistan.
Hence, if anyone can give US and China a good run for its money, its surely India without Doubt.

There will be no such thing as superpowers. Military is becoming less and less significant on the international scene, and everyone is dependent on another for the economy (IMF's influence > NATO's).