Written by Frank Li
No, not yet, but getting closer, election by election!
Tough times reveal your true character, not only individually, but also as a country. Two recent events (i.e. COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and Killing of George Floyd) have revealed a deadly truth about the U.S.: it is a failing state, although it remains the best land of opportunity on earth for many hard-working folks to succeed individually!
Please share this article – Go to very top of page, right hand side, for social media buttons.
1. What is a “failed state”?
Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia – Failed state.
A failed state is a political body that has disintegrated to a point where basic conditions and responsibilities of a sovereign government no longer function properly (see also fragile state and state collapse). A state can also fail if the government loses its legitimacy even if it is performing its functions properly. For a stable state it is necessary for the government to enjoy both effectiveness and legitimacy. Likewise, when a nation weakens and its standard of living declines, it introduces the possibility of total governmental collapse. The Fund for Peace characterizes a failed state as having the following characteristics:
- Loss of control of its territory, or of the monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force therein
- Erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decisions
- Inability to provide public services
- Inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community.
Based on this definition, the U.S. is clearly failing in all but point #1.
Let me elaborate the other three points one by one …
2. Inability to interact with other states
Three recent news stories:
- EU extends travel ban on Americans amid spike in US coronavirus cases.
- Canada to inessential US travelers: Please stay home.
- Bahamas bans US tourists as coronavirus case spike.
Why do these allies “dislike” us like that?
The image below says it all!
How long will these travel bans last?
Quite a few months at least!
Why is that?
We have failed to contain the virus like these countries have done, with no hope in sight!
The image below is worth more than 1,000 words.
The image below is worth another 1,000 words.
3. Inability to provide public services
Two examples:
- Healthcare, as a public service.
- Education, as a public service.
Let me elaborate on each …
3.1 Healthcare
The image below is worth more than 1,000 words.
3.2 Education
The image below is worth more than 1,000 words.
For more, read: Trump Fails to Convince Barron’s School to Fully Reopen in the Fall.
4. Erosion of legitimate authority
The image below is worth more than 1,000 words.
For more, read: Racism in America.
The image below is worth another 1,000 words.
Below are the responses from military leaders.
5. Going beyond the Wikipedia definition
Let me add two more “characteristics” to the Wikipedia definition:
- A state is failed, if it fails to protect its citizen’s lives from gun murders.
- A state is failed, if it fails to protect its citizen’s lives from a pandemic.
Let me elaborate on each …
5.1 Gun murders
The image below is worth more than 1,000 words.
For more, read: America: Guns vs. Slavery.
5.2 Pandemic
The image below is worth more than 1,000 words.
For more, read: Top economist: US coronavirus response is like ‘third world’ country.
6. Discussion
Today, America is so polarized (thus failing) that everything is subject to debate, from mask-wearing to many forms of alternative truth …
What, then, is the reality in America today?
The image below offers one perspective.
The image below offers another perspective.
The U.S. has clearly been in a steep decline over the past two decades, at least!
Will the next election fundamentally change America for the better?
No, or highly unlikely!
Why is that?
Read: America: It’s Democracy, Stupid!
Overall, America has been, and will continue to be, the best land of opportunity on earth for individuals, including immigrants, to succeed. However, that is not good enough to be a great country built to last (Built to Last: Structure & Conscience)!
In other words, the success of a country is much more than the sum of the success of a bunch of individuals. Rather, an effective government is essential, but the U.S. does not have it! Four informative readings:
- What is the American Revolution, Anyway?
- America: A Great Country Without A Working Government?
- America: An Empire Without an Emperor?
- The U.S. vs. China: A Great Experiment vs. A Great Civilization!
Now, a personal question: “If America is so bad, why are you here?”
Answer: “This is not about me!”
Personally, I have been successful in America (My American Dream Has Come True!).
How do I thank America back?
To save it with my pen (or keyboard, to be more precise)!
America, reform our failing political system, as I have suggested (American Democracy – Why is it failing & how to fix it?), or become a fiddle, second to China!
7. Closing
No, America is not a failed state, yet, but getting closer, election by election!
Now, please sit back and enjoy two short videos below.
.
| Page Code: $divide1 = “390”; echo $divide1; ?> | Count: $headline = “”; include “/home4/aleta/public_html/pages/contributors/frank_count.php”; echo $headline; ?> |
