The United States has been politically, economically and socially struggling for a few years already. The COVID19 pandemic management and police brutality cases are just two examples resurfacing the identity issues that great America is going through.
During years, friends, colleagues and myself have admired the American culture and followed their trends, and I still do, but recently more indicators make me think that the US will soon lose the label of the most powerful country in the world and enter a deep phase of change.
An interesting indicator of the loss of confidence, aside from surveys, is the fact that, according to new research, a record number of people are giving up their US citizenship.
But let me add some other reasons why I think that the US is undergoing a crisis that will trigger a decade of profound changes:
1. Other countries are doing better financially
The economic growth of countries like China (close now to US GDP) and the shrinking rate of economies in Europe and the US is an indicator of the shift of commercial power.
2. Technology is no longer an American realm.
Look at the success of Tik Tok and the more than arguable decision to ban it in the US unless it belongs to an American company. All around the world, other many techs like Spotify, for example, have shown that innovation and technology aren’t an exclusive field for America.
3. American big tech empires are under the radar.
The European Union has been chasing and is trying to crack down on Google, Facebook and others. The amount of information these corporations hold and the antitrust doubts have frightened citizens and countries. Some of these companies have more information than the governments themselves, and that is scary for many nations. Moreover, the US Congress itself is now questioning the big techs on antitrust and some other policies.
4. War, as it was known, is over (and that was the main business of the US since II World War)
In the era of information and technology, cyber and bio attacks seem to be more targeted and cause even more vital damage than an army of one million soldiers. The US holds still the biggest army potential, but the technology evolution could make it worthless and unprofitable.
5. It endorses violence.
And violence generates more violence. The gun and self-justice culture that reigns in many US states has been bleeding out deaths for years.
The self-defence argument is misunderstood, and the country sometimes resembles (or at least this is my perception from the news) the Wild Wild West.
A recent article at NPR quotes: “Gun sales have hit new records as the country grapples with a pandemic and protests. But unlike previous spikes, it’s not gun enthusiasts driving sales, but rather first-time gun owners”.
Guns kill and the more weapons, the more death will be, more revenge, more self-justice and more humans will die.
6. They haven’t solved matters of the past — The violent and abusive death of George Floyd has opened a wound that is far to be closed. Racism and Inequality. The periods of protests that the US seasonally experiences rarely end up in changes, so when a case of police brutality happens, it all goes back to square one.
7. The US wants to rule and surrogate other countries in every forum. A recent example related to WHO reforms is a clear example. All members seem to agree that the World health organization need changes, but the US is trying to take control of these reforms and rule over the others. As a result, Germany and France dropped the discussions.
I do not intend this post to be harmful or accusative, but rather reflect my opinion about something that I have been observing for a few years already. There is a bright future for the US, but as any empire, it will fall and possible rise again.
I hope I will live to see the US rising again with the enthusiasm of their founders. That made America a land of dreams and opportunities.
