As much as neo-conservative/Zionist ideologues like Robert Kagan write about the exceptional inevitability of the American world order, there is a general sinking feeling among the people of the United States that this country does not have a future.
Great piece. I have been laboring through the insufferable Peter Zeihan's "Accidental Superpower". It amazing how much he gets wrong after correctly raising some 5th grade history pointers about unique geography, natural resources, and so forth.
Russia and China are always "2 weeks away" from collapse for this guy, while the best days of America's polyglot empire always lay ahead. It would be interesting to get your take(down) on this inexplicably popular figure on this page or Warstrike at some point.
Regarding the point on how Soviet living standards were falling behind those of its Warsaw Pact satellite states, I think you’d enjoy the film Goodbye Lenin, which attempts to capture the complexity* of East Germany in the late 80s. I know movie recommendations can get tiring, but this one is at least non-American. Goodbye Lenin is a product of the “ostalgia” pervasive in Eastern Europe, in which people are now realizing that their post-Soviet material wealth has only destroyed them, whereas they were actually socially, culturally and racially richer before 1989. Ostalgia has only gotten stronger since 2003–Goodbye Lenin was produced long before the migrant crisis.
*There’s a memorable scene where the wall falls and some East Berliners stumble into a West Berlin porn shop for the first time. They stare at the blaring porno TVs in genuine bemusement, having been shielded from this degeneracy by the communists. They are blissfully unaware at the sheer volume of decay about to flood them now that the wall from the west has been literally breached.
When the aztecs and Incas encountered the Spanish. Their vast numbers were overwhelmed by the cohesiveness and determination of the conquistadors. The sole focus of which was pillaging assets for the homeland. Having never been united against a foe, the indigenous people were unable to organise and counter with any effect. Sacrificing life for the good of your fellow people can only come about through extreme cohesion against a common enemy
Thought provoking article data based article for sure. One metric that I noticed missing was the purchasing power of the Dollar from 1970 onwards. I am sure you must be familiar with this metric, as many who examine the economic decline of the U.S.A tout it often. Back in the Late 60's full employment was a thing, and made in America by Union workers mattered. Often the year 1970 it cited as the beginning of the decline of the American Blue Collar Worker. Could it be the case that both the Soviet Union, and the US in reality started to decline around the same time, just that in the case of the Soviet Union it was more rapid, and thus Modern Russia had a quicker recovery? Can one make the case that the US has been running on fumes since NAFTA and GATT?
I hate be a “well ackchyually” guy but Edward Gibbon was more of a figure influenced by the Enlightenment rather then Protestant English culture. Much of the controversy surrounding his work, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire stems from one of his theories being that Christianity was an important cause to Rome’s decline. This is more reflective of his Enlightenment values of being skeptical toward religion rather then a actual historical cause. Though Gibbon much like Voltaire due to his skepticism of religion was by extension “hateful” and not liberal by todays standards because he didn’t see Jews as “special” rather instead superstitious and hateful toward the rest of mankind.
Have you considered the impact of weaponising the USD and its effect on hastening the rapid decline in American hegemony? Encouraging other nations to trade in their own currencies.
Do you think they will collapse their own economy at the expense of maintaining global military power? And what impact would a broken economy and its rebellious people have on government?
I agree power analysis must take into account the optimism and faith in the system. I'm unclear on the link between multiculturalism and the factual decline in power and general wellbeing you provide evidence of.
I havent checked but it would seem the negative outlook on life expectancy, suicide, health, infant mortality and the like would be equally or more pronounced in minority communities.
America destroyed the Soviet Union just to become a gay, brown & highly dysfunctional version of it.....ironic, isn't it?
Great piece. I have been laboring through the insufferable Peter Zeihan's "Accidental Superpower". It amazing how much he gets wrong after correctly raising some 5th grade history pointers about unique geography, natural resources, and so forth.
Russia and China are always "2 weeks away" from collapse for this guy, while the best days of America's polyglot empire always lay ahead. It would be interesting to get your take(down) on this inexplicably popular figure on this page or Warstrike at some point.
Regarding the point on how Soviet living standards were falling behind those of its Warsaw Pact satellite states, I think you’d enjoy the film Goodbye Lenin, which attempts to capture the complexity* of East Germany in the late 80s. I know movie recommendations can get tiring, but this one is at least non-American. Goodbye Lenin is a product of the “ostalgia” pervasive in Eastern Europe, in which people are now realizing that their post-Soviet material wealth has only destroyed them, whereas they were actually socially, culturally and racially richer before 1989. Ostalgia has only gotten stronger since 2003–Goodbye Lenin was produced long before the migrant crisis.
*There’s a memorable scene where the wall falls and some East Berliners stumble into a West Berlin porn shop for the first time. They stare at the blaring porno TVs in genuine bemusement, having been shielded from this degeneracy by the communists. They are blissfully unaware at the sheer volume of decay about to flood them now that the wall from the west has been literally breached.
When the aztecs and Incas encountered the Spanish. Their vast numbers were overwhelmed by the cohesiveness and determination of the conquistadors. The sole focus of which was pillaging assets for the homeland. Having never been united against a foe, the indigenous people were unable to organise and counter with any effect. Sacrificing life for the good of your fellow people can only come about through extreme cohesion against a common enemy
Please JoJo, please capitalize the "w" in White..! Excellent article, will share with friends.
Thought provoking article data based article for sure. One metric that I noticed missing was the purchasing power of the Dollar from 1970 onwards. I am sure you must be familiar with this metric, as many who examine the economic decline of the U.S.A tout it often. Back in the Late 60's full employment was a thing, and made in America by Union workers mattered. Often the year 1970 it cited as the beginning of the decline of the American Blue Collar Worker. Could it be the case that both the Soviet Union, and the US in reality started to decline around the same time, just that in the case of the Soviet Union it was more rapid, and thus Modern Russia had a quicker recovery? Can one make the case that the US has been running on fumes since NAFTA and GATT?
I hate be a “well ackchyually” guy but Edward Gibbon was more of a figure influenced by the Enlightenment rather then Protestant English culture. Much of the controversy surrounding his work, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire stems from one of his theories being that Christianity was an important cause to Rome’s decline. This is more reflective of his Enlightenment values of being skeptical toward religion rather then a actual historical cause. Though Gibbon much like Voltaire due to his skepticism of religion was by extension “hateful” and not liberal by todays standards because he didn’t see Jews as “special” rather instead superstitious and hateful toward the rest of mankind.
If America wants to stay competitive in the world, especially tech, we need more hindu migration.
Have you considered the impact of weaponising the USD and its effect on hastening the rapid decline in American hegemony? Encouraging other nations to trade in their own currencies.
Do you think they will collapse their own economy at the expense of maintaining global military power? And what impact would a broken economy and its rebellious people have on government?
I agree power analysis must take into account the optimism and faith in the system. I'm unclear on the link between multiculturalism and the factual decline in power and general wellbeing you provide evidence of.
I havent checked but it would seem the negative outlook on life expectancy, suicide, health, infant mortality and the like would be equally or more pronounced in minority communities.