Breakdown of the main points in Chris Hedges' essay The Empire Self-Destructs , with further details: 1. The Decline of Empire: Hallmarks of Collapse Hedges argues that the U.S. is exhibiting classic symptoms of a declining empire: c orruption, military failures, economic instability, and increasing authoritarianism. Historical comparisons are drawn to the fall of Rome , the Habsburgs , and other collapsed empires. 2. The Cannibalization of Government Billionaires , Christian fundamentalists , and other elites are dismantling the U.S. government for personal and ideological gain. The destruction of state institutions weakens national stability, leading to self-inflicted wounds that hasten collapse. 3. Retreat into Delusion U.S. leadership, particularly under Trump , is detached from reality, replacing facts with conspiracy theories , religious extremism , and empty rhetoric . This results in incoherent policies , such as withdrawing from international agreements and san...
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