Russia will not be "as or more powerful than the United States" in 2040. Check the population trends : number of births about 1.45 million in Russia, vs about 4.1 million in the US. No matter what the future holds for Russian productivity (now MUCH lower than US), this fact alone means Russia will not come any close to US economic power in our lifetime. Economic power is one necessary part of superpower status. Russia will not become a superpower again in our lifetime.

Probably not Economically but defeintaly military wise.

What I admire about Russians is their toughness and intellectual tradition. With that said, what is power? Socrates (I'm trying to remember my philosophy) said something like, if a tyrant thru guile and deceit takes over a kingdom and commits all kinds of crimes -- he is by definition the least powerful. Because his acts are wrong and criminal. I very strongly hope Russia embraces a more democratic government and place the welfare of the Russian people over those of the old and new elites.

Russia has no idea even how to spell democracy they were a great member of the USSR and Communism, Some ppl and Historians say the only way Russia will revive its self is to re-adopt communism.

Which of course is why the Communist Party has only 52 seats in the Duma, while United Russia has 300. It's spelled демократия btw.

Well, I think Russia will allways remain more autocratic than democratic in essence. I think this is a cultural thing that is very deep-rooted. Love for the "Vozhd" and the Motherland. Also, regrettably, I see the problems Russia face today as so severe, that Russia probably never will be able to fully recover from them. Or at least, not recover in our lifetime. But who knows? Sincerely OplotMira

what exactly does thta have to do with whta i posted

I don't pretend to be an expert. My understanding is that the USSR industrialized Russia by building great factories, train system, and electricity. That it converted Russia from an agrarian society to an industrial one. And increased the productivity of the Russian people. The problem is that the USSR under Stalin produced a lot of victims. Estimates range up to 30 million political prisoners and dead. On a moral basis, I would argue that Stalin's achievements do not justify his actions. I consider Russia a super power now. Russia has a wealth of technical know-how. And its scientists and universities are world class. The problem is that many desire to emigrate elsewhere. When Russia becomes more hospitable place to live, I think it will quickly be a super power in every sense of the word.

Socrates (I'm trying to remember my philosophy) said something like, if a tyrant thru guile and deceit takes over a kingdom and commits all kinds of crimes -- he is by definition the least powerful. Because his acts are wrong and criminal. I very strongly hope Russia embraces a more democratic ............................................... Socrates if you remember had to drink a cup of hemlock given to him by people who had their own ideas of power. Nobody is asking whether the Russians were going to be the most virtuous. They are asking about power as normally defined in this context-ability to wield force, economic and diplomatic influence, etc.