The US is currently a hyperpower according to most metrics. It controls a large empire but not in the traditional sense. Hyperpowers can control external entities with the implied threat of military action as well as through economic means.

But, we all know that empires eventually fall. Here’s an interesting look at the current situation vs. the fall of the British empire: Rule America?

This situation is definitely different. It seems unlikely the US will be unseated through military means (although that also seemed unlikely to Britain at the time too.) So what will it be? Emergence of another superpower like China? Loss of economic influence? Loss of social influence?

I’m not at all saying I want the US to crumble, just trying to look at it objectively through the eyes of history. I do think the US wields it’s hyperpower status badly in some cases, but not all. Perhaps not even most, it’s just that the bad ones seem to effect more people and/or get more press.