Some would argue that China has a culture far stronger than that of any western nation.

I think Clodfobble was referring to the insularity and supertraditional nature of that culture, not a lack of culture.

OK, well if that's the case, then why would that preclude them from being the world power?

I thought it was more along the lines of the communist rule perhaps quashing the diplomacy required (generally) in a world power, but then I thought about how all the other nations who have risen to power and how they went about it, and there wasn't a whole lot of diplomacy involved in most cases.

My personal view of China though, just to make my position clear, is that there'll be a 'cultural revolution' before they 'take over the world' anyway.

Yes, Happy Monkey said what I meant. It's like in the Chinese Job Fair IOTD: someone mentioned that even today, college graduates are pushed very singularly into either a sciences or humanities track, and the other path is completely ignored. That is not the best way, overall, to produce the most successful people, because people's innate skills are not so starkly lopsided, and the most innovative inventions and advances usually come from synthesizing knowledge or skills in multiple areas.

In addition, they still have a lot of cultural pressure to conform, which is good for solid, predictable results but never good for advancement or innovation. I guess what it really comes down to is if you think brilliance is a primary source of a country's success. And I agree that it doesn't have to be, but I think it is a primary source of international respect and being granted a de facto "leadership" position.

I see your point Clod and I agree. On the flip side though, every other world power has had some pretty bad cultural issues too. Look at the Brits and their system of government when they ruled the world. There were massive social problems at the time. Same with the French. The Romans won their way to front with slaves in the army.

I'm not so sure it matters that much really, but as times have changed, so too would the parameters I guess.