The United States is Falling Apart and the World is Taking Notice |
Photo: Jeffrey St. Clair.
The United States is imploding. The reign of Donald Trump is not only challenging and threatening the very foundations of its constitutional democracy, it is calling into question the U.S.’s post-World War II hegemonic role. Empires or hegemonic powers rise and fall. Often they are defeated by emerging powers. Sometimes their decline takes place over time. But rarely do they self-destruct as spectacularly as the U.S. is doing. The U.S. implosion is dramatic in its intensity and rapidity. In just over three weeks, Donald Trump has been able to redefine the United States’ position in the world from a global power to an international outcast. Despite whatever military and economic power the U.S. still has, its image and global leadership have been undermined by President Trump’s foreign policy decisions.
The word “implode” is rarely used in international relations. The decline of empires or hegemonic powers is usually due to external forces. The Roman Empire fell because of a series of invasions by “barbarian tribes.” The Ottoman Empire fell because it aligned with Germany during World War I and was formally dismantled after the War because it had chosen the losing side.
The United States is now in the throes of losing its global position by an implosion based on President Trump’s policies. Internationally, Trump has undermined the U.S.’s global image and influence by systematically provoking allies, neutrals and competitors. Besides targeted tariff threats and proposals for territorial expansion into Greenland, Panama and Canada, the president has made two policy decisions that have led to universal condemnation with major global........