USA

Everyone is aware of the great contributions that the United States made to the world in the last century with helping to win the two world wars and the rebuilding of the countries of those who fought against the United States. But there is much more. To start with about 40% of all the 900 Nobel Prize winners have been from the United States. The main reason is the countries investment in higher education. Academics from around the world come to the US for advanced learning. Thanks to its renowned research universities and robust bio technology industry, the US dominates the Science and Technology category. The US has won 65% of Nobel prizes in chemistry, 43% in physics and 91% in medicine. The AIDS epidemic in Africa was brought under control and polio is no longer a threat because of US medical care. The US won the cold war and today there are only five communist countries, China, Cuba, Laos, Vietnam and North Korea and all but North Korea are in part free market economies. Because the US provided safety for the sea lanes the worldwide trade led to the globalization of the past 70 years brought about the greatest economic growth in history and in the process brought one billion people out of poverty. The US almost single handedly brought about the computer revolution over the past 50 plus years which has increased productivity and prosperity around the world. The US has 750 military basis in 80 countries. The US funds the major portion of NATO in addition to supplying most of the troops. The US is the major fund provider for the IMF, the World Bank and the UN. The military strength across the globe allows many countries to have minimal defense expenses which allows them to spend more on social programs like national healthcare.