Part 3/9:
Economic Decline: Excessive debt, financial mismanagement, loss of competitive advantage, stagnation, and rising inequality.
Military Overreach: The consequences of engaging in prolonged wars and expanding military commitments drain resources and weaken economic foundations.
Political Instability and Corruption: A lack of trust in leadership and frequent regime changes render a nation politically dysfunctional.
Internal Strife and Rebellions: Socioeconomic disparities often catalyze civil strife, as seen in the Roman Empire where the gap between the rich and poor widened significantly.
External Pressures: Competition from rising powers and potentially destabilizing geopolitical tensions contribute to a nation’s decline.