The United States' great power is a paradox because a small group of people (less than five) could bring the whole country to its knees.

In 1918, the United States entry to WWI turned the tide in a war that seemed like it would drag on forever. In 1945, the United States shocked the world during WWII by employing the most destructive weapon known to man: the atomic bomb. In 2003, the United States flexed its mighty military muscles in the invasion of Iraq. Obviously, the United States has been a significant military power in the world over the last century.

With the dollar remaining strong internationally, the United States has also proved to be an economic power. The United States has often times sent financial aid to countries in need, and they're always the first to respond in a natural disaster.

However, the United States' power is a joke because all it takes is one small group of terrorists to bomb an entire oil refinery complex in a Middle East country, and the U.S. will be brought to its knees.