Strange Similarities

while playing one of my original campaigns, i have experienced much success in being the most advanced country in many aspects of the game. according to the score that is kept on the right (what i've always thought to be the 'advancement meter'), i have always been extremely far ahead of the curve. it hasn't appeared, and doesn't appear that any nation can hold a candle to my civilization.

at the beginning of the game, i hit the ground running. i began making giant leaps and bounds in terms of the military, religious, cultural, educational, and productive aspects of my empire. however, i have noticed an increasing trend in my campaign. it is that some of the nations that i am competing against and trading with are suddenly creeping closer to becoming my economic equal. the gaps are closing quickly, and for a while, i struggled to come to terms with this strange phenomenon.

however, it dawned upon me that this situation posses uncanny similarities to today's global situation regarding the united states and the progress of other countries around the world. since the beginning of globalization in the 1960's, the united states has remained so far ahead of the rest of the world that it gave us a false impression of invincibility. this is no longer the case. the united states, just like my empire in the game, is still advancing at a respectable rate, but due to direct foreign investment and development of standards in otherwise impoverished nations, they are progressing that much faster.

i feel that this is exactly what is occurring in my game. i have been trading extensively with the russians, and because of it, they have been given a boost in terms of economic progress. china is predicted to overtake the united states economically in the near future, and it is likely that russia will do the same to me in the game.