American analysts like George Friedman keep writing that the European Union is failing. Typical examples for this conclusion include: Brexit, debt crisis (eg, Greece, Italy), migrant crisis (eg, Greece, Italy), and the surge in Nationalism (eg, Hungary, Italy, Poland). Yes, these examples are all valid but how about applying similar metrics to the USA?
A SWOT analysis of the United States of America would reveal the following:
American news typically focuses on U.S. Strengths. European news on America is often about U.S. Weaknesses.
In 1937, Dutch historian Jan Romein published his essay on “The dialectics of lead”, or the law of the handicap of a head start.
Being the leader of the pack often implies that Opportunities have already turned into Strengths.
The asterisk implies a connection between Big Tech and Calexit (eg, CNN-2016, Guardian-2018).
On 1 June 2018, a UN special rapporteur sounded the alarm on extreme poverty in the USA following a ‘systematic attack on welfare program’ which “will leave millions deprived of food and healthcare” (Guardian). Although “Democrats urge Congress to take action on appalling rates of poverty” (Guardian), this situation already existed decades ago, when I still travelled the USA.
In his 2017 book, “In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of US Global Power“, American historian Alfred W. McCoy “predicts that China is set to surpass the influence of the U.S. globally, both militarily and economically, by the year 2030” (The Intercept-2017). That is only 12 years away from now. Note LO: markings in quote by me.
The Intercept, 2017: “[Alfred McCoy] sees the Trump presidency as one of the clearest byproducts of the erosion of U.S. global dominance, but not its root cause. At the same time, he also believes Trump may accelerate the empire’s decline.” Note LO: markings in quote by me.
Americans may find comfort in a similar 1943 prediction by American clairvoyant Edgar Cayce.
Going To A Town (2007) by (Canadian) Rufus Wainwright
artist, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2
I’m going to a town that has already been burnt down
I’m going to a place that has already been disgraced
I’m gonna see some folks who have already been let down
I’m so tired of America
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless stated otherwise
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