I visited Amsterdam a few years ago and the hotel had this cool wallpaper that had history of Amsterdam. I read about corporations and trade and banking and was surprised at how huge, rich, and long lived they are.
I think the smart move isn’t in being the hegemon. It’s having a hegemon that protects your interests and allows you to thrive. That way you don’t pay for a massive military and whatnot.
Maybe this is the US backing out of its commitment to have military bases all over the world in exchange for wealth. If Europe steps up and becomes hegemon then the US can cruise by with 1% gdp for military and maybe set up universal healthcare. Although they’d likely end up as yachts for billionaires or something.
Anyway, I think in 100 years, I’d rather be Netherlands than the US. More peace, more money.
I think the smart move isn’t in being the hegemon. It’s having a hegemon that protects your interests and allows you to thrive. That way you don’t pay for a massive military and whatnot.
Maybe this is the US backing out of its commitment to have military bases all over the world in exchange for wealth. If Europe steps up and becomes hegemon then the US can cruise by with 1% gdp for military and maybe set up universal healthcare. Although they’d likely end up as yachts for billionaires or something.
Anyway, I think in 100 years, I’d rather be Netherlands than the US. More peace, more money.