America: Is the Experiment Over?

Written by Frank Li

The 20th century was undoubtedly America’s. The 21st century will most likely belong to either China or America. But who will deserve it and who will ultimately claim it?

In my last post, I questioned China’s viability (China: Is the Experiment Over?). Now, let me question America’s.

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1. America is an experiment

Can any country possibly be more exceptional than America, which was founded with neither a king nor a pope? No, of course not!

Yet, today, not only is America most religious among the developed countries, she also seems to be yearning for a king, if not a living God (Is Donald Trump a God?). Why is that?

It’s the political system, stupid!

2. What’s wrong with America’s political system?

Almost everything, from the foundation to the progression of democracy (one person, one vote) from “less than half” in 1789 to “full” in 1965! Let me elaborate …

2.1 America’s foundation

I have already published on three big foundational issues as follows:

1. Not All Men Are Created Equal!
2. “We the People,” Really?
3. America: Gun Massacres and Beyond – The Second Amendment.

In short, all these three foundational issues were new at the time of founding, but none of them seems to be able to pass the test of time!

2.2 Democracy

Democracy is a proven failure throughout human history without a single example of lasting success! It was chiefly for this reason that our Founding Fathers wisely built America as a republic, specifically excluding democracy. Two informative readings:

1. What Is American Democracy, Anyway?
2. Republic: Democracy vs. Autocracy.

3. Why is America’s political system so wrong?

Blame self-governing, a core concept in founding America in 1776! It is wrong and it is not new, not even in 1776!

3.1 Self-governing was not new in 1776!

Human species started with self-governing millions of years ago. Over time, we formed communities and then countries. Since then, governance has been vital to the survival of a community, a country, or even an entire civilization (e.g. Maya civilization)!

3.2 Self-governing is wrong!

China is arguably the greatest country in human history. Two main reasons:

1. China has the longest continuous civilization in human history, leading the world mostly for the first 1,800 years of our 2-millennium-old calendar.
2. Throughout human history, great civilizations have come and gone, with one major exception: China – come, almost gone, and come again!

Now, look at the documented Chinese history of the past 2,000 years, it’s mostly about Emperors and governance (Governance in China: Past, Present, and Future), with the best people working in the government, and without any hint about such ridiculous notions as self-governing!

In contrast, America, at its birth, fashioned self-governing. It might be a necessary evil to defy the British ruler at the time, but the evil has persisted to date. Specifically,

1. Many Americans even view their own government as a necessary evil, just like our Founding Fathers did in 1776, with regard to the British government.
2. Most talented Americans work in the private sector.

As a result, there is little governance in America, either in theory or in practice! For more, read: Governance in America.

4. America is deeply in trouble

Here are our four big problems:

1. Democratic Socialism: Work is optional for many Americans.
2. Democratic Imperialism: War is perpetual.
3. National debt: It is more than $20 trillion, with no end in sight.
4. Gun violence: Our government has failed in its job #1: protecting the lives of its citizens. For more, read: America: Gun Massacres and Beyond.

Evidentially, Americans were so fed up with the existing political establishment that we were willing to try something, anything, different for our Presidency. Can anybody possibly be more different than Donald Trump?

In short, Americans gambled on Donald Trump in the 2016 general election. Unfortunately for America, the outcome of this gamble is likely to be little different from that of any other gamble: the odds of winning are slim to none! For more, read: Make America Great Again, Really?

5. Is the American experiment over?

No, not yet! I believe I have the most accurate diagnosis for America, as well as the best solution. Better yet, both have been documented in my latest book: American Democracy.

6. Closing

The American experiment is not over yet, but very close.

China, America’s chief competitor in this century, faces its own challenges. But ultimately which country will own the 21st century? China, most likely, unless America reforms our political system as I have suggested!

For mankind, the search for an ideal form of government continues. For more, read: Towards an Ideal Form of Government (Version 3).

Now, please sit back and enjoy the short video below.