Perhaps what is different now is that people accept that we are actually in decline. I.e., we can't fear a decline because we're in one. I'm not entirely sure I subscribe to the "we're already in decline" theory, but that's definitely part of what's going on imo. Why be scared of something that you've already accepted?
I see what you mean. I do think declinism has become cultural in America. I've seen Trump described as the "first declinist President," and I think that makes sense if you listen to his inauguration speech. The climate has definitely become very cynical.
What is strange now though is that we have internalized declinism at home, but American power abroad is projecting itself pretty adamantly. This is a very common theme in late imperial states. Not saying American power is going to diminish anytime soon though, such periods can last a very long time
Perhaps what is different now is that people accept that we are actually in decline. I.e., we can't fear a decline because we're in one. I'm not entirely sure I subscribe to the "we're already in decline" theory, but that's definitely part of what's going on imo. Why be scared of something that you've already accepted?
I see what you mean. I do think declinism has become cultural in America. I've seen Trump described as the "first declinist President," and I think that makes sense if you listen to his inauguration speech. The climate has definitely become very cynical.
What is strange now though is that we have internalized declinism at home, but American power abroad is projecting itself pretty adamantly. This is a very common theme in late imperial states. Not saying American power is going to diminish anytime soon though, such periods can last a very long time