ancient & modern? civilisations?:

minoans
egyptians
aztecs
the disappeared from easter island
chinese various dynasties
mesopotamia [iraq et al]
greeks
arabs
british empire
japanese empire
german empire
portuguese empire
french empire
dutch empire
welsh empire [patagonia]
spanish empire
mongol empire

& many more

in the course of history,nations,countries, cultures, spheres of influence take turns at being big chief,number one big fella of the world.

its USA's turn just now, but after it's decline- there'll be another waiting in the wings- but looking at above list & history- its unlikely anybody gets 2 go's.

the next world power will probably be some place that hasn't had a turn yet.

what think you?