No superpower lasts forever
From the Roman Empire to modern America, the world’s most powerful nations have all had their moments and experienced heydays. But for how long?
There is no denying that the US has had unfettered control over major countries of the world for several of the past decades. Washington called the shots when it came to major decisions related to the world economy and diplomacy.
Celebrated author and syndicated columnist Cal Thomas, during a presentation titled 'America's Expiration Date', said, "While many like to comfort themselves that America is different, or even uniquely blessed by God, there's no proof that we will escape the fate of other nations that once believed the same about themselves."
The fact that the US is nearing its eclipse in terms of global power may sound strange, but Cal Thomas does not mince words in presaging this in his book 'America's Expiration Date: The Fall of Empires and Superpowers... and the Future of the United States'.
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After examining eight of the greatest empires in world history, he suggests that most world powers descend into decline after about 250 years in power. The US is going to complete this circle in 2026.
With whatever is happening in global politics, especially after the assumption of office by Trump, many believe that America's time is about to end. Given strong predictions by historians and experts, you cannot simply shrug off such a possibility.
Paul Kennedy, in his book 'The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers: Economic Change and Military Conflict from 1500 to 2000' reflects on why empires and major nations have risen and declined over the centuries. While the scope of this study is limited to five centuries, the essence is relevant to all the superpowers that existed even before, from the Roman Empire to the modern era.
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire stands out as one of the most recognised and enduring superpowers in ancient history. Officially commencing with Augustus Caesar in 27 BCE, Rome expanded its dominion over a significant portion of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Although the Western Roman Empire collapsed in 476 CE, its Eastern counterpart — referred to as the Byzantine Empire — persisted for nearly another thousand years before ultimately falling in 1453 CE.
Overall, the Roman and Byzantine empires together represent more than 1,400 years of influence, highlighting how a single civilisation transformed and adapted throughout the ages.
Mongol Empire
Founded by Genghis Khan in 1206, the Mongol Empire had a dramatic and far-reaching impact. By 1368, the Mongol grip had weakened significantly — marking roughly 150 years of dominance — owing to internal divisions and fragmentation.
Nevertheless, their influence, especially in Eurasia, was felt for generations through trade routes like the Silk Road.
Ottoman Empire
Starting in 1299, the Ottoman Empire lasted until 1922. At its height, the Ottomans controlled parts of Europe, Asia and Africa, and played a central role in global trade and politics.
The fall of Constantinople in 1453 was a turning point that cemented Ottoman power, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire and the rise of Istanbul as a major Islamic centre.
The Ottomans maintained significant influence for over 600 years, until the aftermath of World War I led to their dissolution.
British Empire
The British Empire became the largest empire in history, reaching its peak in the 18th and 19th centuries. With colonies and territories across every continent, Britain was often described as "the empire on which the sun never sets".
Paul Kennedy writes in his book, "Britain had already achieved a remarkable degree of global preeminence by 1815, thanks to their adroit combination of naval mastery, financial credit, commercial expertise, and alliance diplomacy. What the Industrial Revolution did was to enhance the position of a country already made supremely successful in the preindustrial, mercantilist struggles of the eighteenth century, and then to transform it into a different sort of power."
However, the strain of two world wars and growing independence movements led to its decline. By the mid-20th century, decolonisation had drastically reduced Britain's global reach, ending its reign as the world's foremost superpower after roughly 200 years of dominance.
Post-WWII New World Order
After World War II, global power shifted once again — this time to two ideological and military titans: the United States and the Soviet Union.
These superpowers led opposing blocs in a tense geopolitical rivalry known as the Cold War, which lasted from 1945 to 1991. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the end of this bipolar era, leaving the US as the sole superpower.
Celebrated author and syndicated columnist Cal Thomas, during a presentation titled 'America's Expiration Date', said, "While many like to comfort themselves that America is different, or even uniquely blessed by God, there's no proof that we will escape the fate of other nations that once believed the same about themselves."
After the fall of the Soviet Union, the US enjoyed unchallenged influence. However, as mentioned in the first part of this article, the power of the US is now getting challenged, given the volatile situation created in the last few years. As a result, regional unity is increasing, just like Asian countries getting closer.
A shift towards a multipolar world is now clearly evident, with the power of the United States waning gradually and regional cooperation becoming more prominent.
In Asia, countries are strengthening ties through economic blocs and diplomatic partnerships, pushing organisations like ASEAN and BRICS to reflect on a broader global trend for recalibrating power, where influence is shared among several key players rather than being dominated by one.
