Late Stage Empire

Progressives pontificate about late capitalism when we should all be talking about late stage empire...

The United States is in a late-stage empire. As I've written before, Marxist aficionados talk about late-stage capitalism, or late capitalism, but that is merely a theory and not a reality. Something that is a reality is late-stage empire.

Late-stage empire refers to a period in an empire's history where the cracks in its foundation become increasingly apparent. It is marked by overextension and a decline in the moral and cultural fabric that once held it together.

Here are two examples:

The Roman Empire: By the 5th century AD, the Western Roman Empire was plagued by political instability, economic troubles, and external pressures from invading barbarian tribes, leading to its fall in 476 AD.

The Ottoman Empire: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Ottoman Empire faced internal decay, military defeats, and nationalist uprisings, resulting in its dissolution after World War I in 1922.

The United States is the most powerful empire in world history, but we are facing tremendous challenges. We are extended too far militarily and are also in crippling debt. It's also quite clear that our culture has extended into extreme decadence, and the culture wars, some of which are perpetuated by decadence, are further degrading our notion of unity.

When you look at the overextension of the military and crippling debt, these two situations perpetuate each other. The cost of maintaining such a vast military apparatus is staggering, and this increases our national debt. This debt weakens the country's economic stability and limits its ability to respond to new challenges.

The economic burdens are not limited to military expenditures. The national debt of the United States has ballooned to unprecedented levels, creating a financial strain that is vastly unsustainable. It is a ticking time bomb. It is not just the sheer amount of debt that is concerning but also the lack of a clear plan to address it. This financial instability is a hallmark of late-stage empires, where economic mismanagement and overreach lead to eventual decline.

Culturally, the United States is experiencing a period of extreme decadence. This decadence is characterized by a focus on materialism, hedonism, and a general decline in societal values. The emphasis on individual gratification over collective well-being has eroded the social cohesion that once defined the nation.

The cultural decadence is evident in various aspects of American society. Popular culture glorifies excess and superficiality, often at the expense of meaningful content and values. The entertainment industry, social media, and consumer culture all promote a lifestyle that prioritizes instant gratification over long-term sustainability. This cultural shift is not just a sign of moral decay but also a significant factor in the country's declining influence on the global stage.

The political landscape also reflects the symptoms of a late-stage empire. Partisan polarization has reached unprecedented levels, leading to legislative gridlock and an inability to address critical issues facing the nation. The erosion of democratic norms and the rise of populism further destabilize the political system. These internal divisions weaken the country's ability to project power and influence globally, undermining its status as a dominant empire.

As the United States continues to exhibit the characteristics of a late-stage empire, overextension, massive debt, cultural decadence, and internal divisions all point to a nation in decline. I hate to mention decline so many times in this piece, but the warning signs are hard to ignore. Sure, the United States remains a very powerful force globally, but these underlying issues threaten its long-term stability and dominance.

Recognizing these challenges is the first step towards addressing them. Without such efforts, the trajectory towards decline may become irreversible, echoing the fate of empires past.

Moving forward, we have two political parties. Ask yourself, which political party, especially during this election cycle, will best address our issues?