In the face of total global economic collapse, the prospects of
a massive international war are increasing. Historically,
periods of imperial decline and economic crisis are marked by
increased international violence and war. The decline of the
great European empires was marked by World War I and World War
II, with the Great Depression taking place in the intermediary
period. Currently, the world is witnessing the decline of the
American empire, itself a product born out of World War II. As
the post-war imperial hegemon, America ran the international
monetary system and reigned as champion and arbitrator of the
global political economy. To manage the global political
economy, the US has created the single largest and most powerful
military force in world history. Constant control over the
global economy requires constant military presence and action.
Now that both the American empire and global political economy
are in decline and collapse, the prospect of a violent end to
the American imperial age is drastic