If you don't think industrial capacity is relevant to geopolitical power then I don't think we're really having a serious conversation here.

▲

ceejayoz 10 hours ago | parent [-]

> If you don't think industrial capacity is relevant to geopolitical power…

Of course it is!

But so does the quality of what that capacity puts out.

Again, the Russians found that out in Ukraine.

▲

CPLX 10 hours ago | parent [-]

What does the Russian economy have to do with anything? First off, they're run by a kleptocratic oligarchy, and second of all they're still one of the top 5 most militarily powerful countries in the world. I don't even know what point you're making? Did they bail out Chrysler? Which side of the analogy are they even on?

▲

ceejayoz 10 hours ago | parent | next [-]

> What does the Russian economy have to do with anything?

They had more of that industrial capacity you're talking about than Ukraine, more tanks, more armaments, more weaponry.

It still didn't let them win. Because the quality matters too.

> First off, they're run by a kleptocratic oligarchy…

I have some awkward news about the US in recent years.

▲

CPLX 10 hours ago | parent [-]

This is just an example of the fundamental nature of asymmetric insurgent warfare and the nature of proxy conflicts. It's not like Vietnam was more powerful than the US economy either. You seem confused.

In an all-out existential battle Ukraine would have been wiped off the map in the first 20 minutes by nuclear weapons. This isn't an actual contest of industrial might versus industrial might.

	▲	philipkglass 8 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		"In an all-out existential battle" involving nuclear weapons, the United States won't be affected by the presence or absence of domestic car factories either. World War II could soak up years of total warfare effort from the belligerents, and still have factories and governments intact to send more soldiers and bombs toward the enemy. I don't think that can happen now that countries as poor as North Korea can make nuclear weapons.
	▲	ceejayoz 10 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		> This is just an example of the fundamental nature of asymmetric insurgent warfare. Plus overconfidence, and outdated Russian tactics and equipment. The US would be wise not to fall in the "our army bigger" trap too.

▲

drcongo 9 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

> What does the Russian economy have to do with anything? First off, they're run by a kleptocratic oligarchy

Kinda answered your own question there.