What makes a country modern?

Few wars, a comprehensive health system (with an efficient disease control program), near endless supply of clean drinking water, stable infrastructure, an economy capable of competing in the world market, an Armed Force to protect it's citizens (not to enslave or repress them), a stable government, an efficient welfare system. The list is actually much longer than this, but these are the basics of a modern country. However, as humanity slowly advances itself, this will become second nature and a modern country will be much more advanced than this. Hopefully. It is very unlikely that the former thought I had in that last paragraph will become true, as humanity will most likely live, soaking in it's selfish nature and some countries will struggle as others sit and watch, comfortable in their luck to born into a moderncountry. To be a world mega-power, however, you must be able to bring the World's economy to it's knees, force other super-powers to help bail you out, and still end up suffering the least and coming out of the global depression one of the most powerful countries in the world. So, this puts the USA in position as a mega-power. I'm not saying the Yanks are smarter at all, or that they are wrong. I am just stating facts. I would be completely alright if the UK became this kind of mega-power again as it once was. No other country, not even the powerful China, could do this. This is the sign of a truly prepared and powerful country. To wage a war that it's citizen's are split on, to continue to suck up all the oil it can, and get away with it without anyone seriously challenging them on it. A country's strength is derived from it's citizens which make up America's Society. Is this the sign of an advanced Society? A Society so self-absorbed that it can wriggle it's way on top to protect it's very own form of a Circadian Rhythm