Is America a falling Empire? What do you think?

Question

The logic behind this claim:
-Under invasion from barbarians
-Military overextension
-Rapid decline in the value of our currency (-30% since 9/11)
-Outstanding deficits (the largest in history by far from which we could never recover) and citizen reliance on credit
-Bush may mark the beginning of a trend in "Bad Presidents" similar to the Romans' era of "Bad Emperors". Many historians compare Bush to Nero.
-A decrease in the world's willingness to give us special treatment or accept intrusive aid
-A shift from unilateral to multilateral systems in the global political scene
-"American" businesses are increasingly dependent on the international economy, outsourcing many jobs.
-Import vs. Export ratio is quite unfavorable (high imports, low exports)
-Rise in the Euro's value has people wondering about the future of the USD in the international market
-Most of the world dislikes America or fears America.
-Decline in the quality of education in America, as well as Standard of Living.

Also, there is a growth in the Rich/Poor gap in the states.

Many of these problems have some similarities to historical empires that fell similarly. What I wonder is... So if America falls... Then what? What does that mean?

Are they simply less important? Will war wipe us off the map? Will we eventually become a thousand weaker states, enclaves, and colonies swallowed up by bigger nations? or Will there be various independent regions?

So far all of you are remarkably wrong and have chosen to address only a few issues. It's too bad, but I just can't agree. I hope a more detailed answer comes soon. The longest, most thoughtful answer lost any credit when it claimed that the decline in the US dollar is "not a problem". And military overextension... no such thing? Ridiculous. Take a political science class for God's sake before you post that nonsense. Also, you didn't discuss any of the important issues, like the deficit. Where's the solution. Oh and, "mind your own personal finances" or whatever is also a load of crap. If the economy crashes, everyone suffers.

Not just China, but India too, and the EU. They all will inevitably overtake the US.

Answer 1

Not really.
The problem is not the "invasion" of the barbarians- but the failure to assimilate them inside the country (in case of immigrants) and the relutance to take the war into their land (in case of armed attacks). Rome was torn apart once they allowed the barbarians to serve in the legions not as individuals (who were assimilated) but as entire units (who then considered Rome as easy prey)

No such thing as military overextension. What you have (and Rome did) is wasting money on "pork" projects (games and free bread for everyone) while the army gets underfunded. In case of ROme it was too few legions (fewer than Julius Caesar had) and no armour for the troops (they got just shields and helmets- poor protection against archer horsemen)
The decline in the value of currency is not a problem- since it will eliminate the reliance on imports (which become too expensive). Stop wasting money on "big digs" to finance the re-election campaigns of Sen K.... and the budged deficit will diminish
The worst president EVER in US history was Carter. That guy managed to destroy the proven friends of the US and convert them to deadly enemies. Iran being the shining example. With Bush one can at least be certain that being a friend to the US means help- not a stab in the back.

US aid is intrusive? I come from Poland. Obviously you never had a "helpful" neighbour like the Russians or Germans. The last time the Russians "helped" us we ended up losing half of the country. not to mention 3 milion deportees dead in Siberia

Don't worry about the Euro. Keep your own budget clean and the market will balance the rest.

Some of the world dislikes the US- true enough. In the 1850's most of the world hated Britain- simply because Britain fought to eradicate the slave trade- and most of the world's rulers grew rich on that trade. Today, over 80% of the world is run by dictators and there are plenty of useful idiots in the free countries who are "in love" with such dictators and their methods.
I am old enough to remember that Idi Amin of Uganda was an admired statesman. And Pol Pot of Cambodia was honoured in the UN too. If people like these fear and despise your country, then this is a reason to be PROUD.

Standards of living and rich-poor divide. The problem is that the rich pay no taxes- they pay accountants who find tax shelters. People like Kerry and Kennedy pay almost no taxes at all- but scream every time there is talk of cutting taxes for others (which would mean less money for pork projects). IMO eliminate ALL tax shelters and make one, low, flat tax rate for EVERYBODY

Education. This is a problem. the solution however is not throwing more money on "feel good" projects like "gender studies" but favouring solid education in mathematics, physics, chemistry, medicine. I personally don't care if my surgeon is gay, trangendered or of mixed Inuit-Zulu parentage. What matters - the ONLY thing that matters - is can he/ she/ it do the job?

Answer 2

Has someone been reading Michael Mann, or Stephen Ignatieff ...?

An inherent flaw in the premise of the so-called "American Empire" is that America is not an empire in the traditional definition of the word. "American Empire," as it has come to be known, is predominately a economic and cultural empire ... that is, the United States does not militarily occupy and control the areas in which it seeks to advance it's economic goals (and, no ... oil in Iraq is just one facet of American economic might ... it is not the raison d'etre of the US economic machine). Instead the United States seeks to maintain it's preferential economic agreements through indirect pressure ... this is contradictory to the classic definition of an "empire." Think of, for example, the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the British Empire, the Soviet Empire ... they all directly controlled their economic bases either though direct military or political primacy, or by use of satrapies controlled by the empire.

Answer 3

Collapsing fast. In 30 years China will overtake and the USA will become a second class power

Answer 4

I think it is an Empire in the making! However it will be a North American empire to include all of North America--Mexico and Canada, perhaps England (not Ireland or other parts of GB; and perhaps Norway). The coinage will be called Amero. Other parts of the UK will stay in the European Union Empire. Asia is also an empire in the making.

Answer 5

You cannot find a better answer than the one cp_scipi gave above. BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!
And, as to "bad Presidents", look to the parade of dullards prior to the American Civil War! Bush will not be called a great President by history, but he sure as hell will NOT be called a bad one.