If the default happens, I predict that United States of America would be trying to be a left wing - or something unforeseen - country in reaction to the corporatist influenced deathgrip of the government's functions and its ability to keep the world economy going. As bad as USA is to smaller countries like mine, I would rather America still be the reserve world currency than China on the basis of China's sheer authoritarianism, or worse yet, harbouring newfound colonial aims. That said, I would rather that there be no superpower whatsoever, no single global currency reserves whatsoever, just countries getting along with each other and no insanity in government or in the markets or in the people.