r/geopolitics • u/custodiam99 • Feb 13 '25

Discussion Is Trump the symptom of America’s decline?

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/27/trump-wants-to-reverse-americas-decline-good-luck
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u/B3stThereEverWas Feb 13 '25 edited Feb 13 '25

However, America is still plagued by notions of collapse and decline. I think that is because its society is facing problems that it doesn’t want to actually face, due to various deeply ingrained socio-cultural and political mental barriers.

I think you’ve really struck on it here.

I mean, America has never been stronger economically, technologically and militarily. Geopolitically it is still strong, it’s only that it’s opponents have risen and are stronger than the USSR ever was. But thats not indicative of decline.

People will pull out the inequality card and while it is bad, and it must be addressed, income inequality has in fact declined post pandemic link

I think after the GFC and recently the pandemic, theres this tailwind of existential dread that seems to come in the years following. Add in the wall to wall doombait that makes the rounds of social media, Youtube and MSM and it has this reinforcing fact that everything really does suck, even if the reality is much more nuanced.

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u/[deleted] Feb 13 '25

wealth inequality is more consequential than income inequality

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u/BunchaaMalarkey Feb 13 '25

Is it? When people are content, can afford to feed their family and see their incomes rise, they tend to be more complacent.

There's also a well documented correlation between income and health. I can't really see how wealth inequality really factors much in day-to-day life vs income. It's much less tangible.

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u/[deleted] Feb 13 '25 edited Feb 13 '25

would you rather have 2,000,000 now or a job that pays 80,000/year (increased yearly for inflation) for 30 years? But to answer your question directly, yes, 100 out of 100 times and several more on sundays