It is interesting to note that every major country in Europe (sorry Lichtenstein...) has been The major world power at some point. Greece, Italy, Spain, France, England, Germany have all been at the top at one point or another. Interestingly enough, none has retained the #1 spot which has fallen over to the U.S. in recent years. England however, has yet to realize that they are no longer a world super-power. In fact, they don't even have a car company they can call their own. This theory fits with why the English hate the French, despise the Germans, and loathe pretty much everyone else. But don't lose heart English fans! The U.S. will be knocked off our pedestal and to join the English and the rest of the former super-powers soon enough. I am sure it will take us 2 to 9 decades decades to realize that the new #1 is now China.