by Emmanuel Todd (Author)
Widely reviewed and critically praised, Emmanuel Todd's After the Empire predicts that the United States is forfeiting its superpower status as it moves away from traditional democratic values of egalitarianism and universalism, lives far beyond its means economically, and continues to anger foreign allies and enemies alike with its military and ideological policies. As America's global dominance evaporates, Todd foresees the emergence of a Eurasian alliance bringing together Europe, Russia, Japan, and the Arab-Islamic world. Todd calmly and straightforwardly takes stock of many negative trends, including America's weakened commitment to the socio-economic integration of African Americans, a bulimic economy that increasingly relies on smoke and mirrors and the goodwill of foreign investors, and a foreign policy that squanders the country's reserves of soft power while its militaristic arsonist-fireman behavior is met with increasing resistance. Written by a demographer and historian who foresaw the collapse of the Soviet Union, this original and daring book cannot be ignored.
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 192
Edition: First Edition
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Published: 20 Jan 2004
ISBN 10: 023113102X
ISBN 13: 9780231131025
Book Overview: After the Empire is a provocative and sobering look at America's changing role on the global stage. Emmanuel Todd uses demographic and economic factors to diagnose America's waning hegemony, offering a compelling reevaluation of its status as a superpower. Burdened by enormous domestic and foreign trade deficits, the declining value of the U.S. dollar, the unanticipated bankruptcy of several prominent companies, and the fact that it can no longer subsist on its own production, America is becoming ever more dependent on foreign money. And as it continues to anger foreign allies and enemies alike with its military and ideological policies, America is beginning to experience a resistance to its unilateralism. A critically acclaimed, international best-seller, After the Empire is an urgent appeal for America to return to its role as a democratic, productive, and cooperative member of the global community.