Today's show is dedicated to discussing the state of the US empire today. Contrary to some on the left, it is not about to collapse. But it is in a state of intensifying decline. Today's show reviews these two themes and considers the evidence for collapse vs. decline. A brief history how empires extract wealth from their dependencies (plunder, occupation, colonialism, unequal trade, financial imperialism, etc.) is discussed. A review of US institutions of Empire and how the US practices imperial dominance follows. Examples of institutional decline and failing practices are discussed: the US $, SWIFT payments system, IMF, World Bank, fiscal crisis of US empire and economy (deficits, debt, global dollar recycling, etc), contradictions in US monetary policies (why low interest rates don't stimulate growth and high rates don't dampen inflation), decline of US soft power, rise of the BRICS and global South, and chronic slow growth of US economy since 2008 as well as US political, social and ideological indicators of decline. (Discussion is based on Dr. Rasmus's forthcoming new book, 'Twilight of American Imperialism', the introductory chapter of which will be posted on his blog, http://jackrasmus.com on June 1, 2025)
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