Is America in Decline?
LBJ School faculty and students answer this question for the National Intelligence Council's Global Trends 2030 Blog
LBJ School faculty and students explored the question "Is America in Decline?" for the National Intelligence Council (NIC) blog series, "Global Trends 2030". The blog was guest edited by LBJ School Professor William Inboden.
Exploring the Question of American Decline
BY William Inboden, Assistant Professor of Public Affairs
Inboden introduces the blog series and explains the theme of "American Decline," a topic to be raised in the NIC's upcoming Global Trends 2030 publication.
The Austro-Hungarian Legacy: Creative Citizens Need Innovative Governance
BY Jeremi Suri, LBJ School Professor
The real "game changer" for the American future is whether our society can summon the will to bring the creative impulses of our citiznes into government.
American Decline: Is Perception Always Reality?
BY Jason Brooks, Master of Global Policy Studies student
The only thing declining in America is our own faith in our capacity for hard work, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Re-Thinking World Power, from Shanghai to Silicon Valley
BY Francis J. Gavin, Tom Slick Professor of International Affairs
Despite enormous problems, the United States is actually well placed to thrive in this new world against its competitors.
Discretionary Decline
BY Celeste Ward Gventer, Associate Director, The Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law
The U.S. possesses long term advantages compated to its challengers that may end up mattering most for national power in coming decades. If results are what count, American must be doing something right.
America in Decline: Through the Looking Glass
BY Larry O'Bryon, Master of Global Policy Studies student
The risk of America's decline is real but by no means inevitable.
Looking Backward, Planning Forward
BY Robert Hutchings, Dean of the LBJ School of Public Affairs
Looking out to 2030 and the kinds of challenges the United States is likely to face, amassing ever more potent military power seems among the least relevant activities we might undertake. Our larger problem is that we quite literally have more power than we know what to do with.
The Decline of American Education
BY Miha Vindis, LBJ School Ph.D. student
The implications of America's educational shortfall are not only economic but also a national security concern, as it will become increasingly difficult to fill sensitive security-related jobs.
A Demographic Morning in America
BY Gustavo O. Fernandez, Master of Global Policy Studies student
Looking at the country's demographic projections through 2050, the United States has a strong, positive outlook that will make our challenges more manageable.
Prediction and the Elusive Elements of Power Decline
BY Megan Reiss, LBJ School Ph.D. student
Americans need to muster up the political will to use our power to shape the world into the best possible scenario, but we won't be able to start until we create some semblance of unity at home.
Catching the Winds of Power
BY Adam Parker, Master of Global Policy Studies student
The United States will see its aggregate capabilities decrease over the next 18 years while those of its peer and competitors decrease even faster.
Global Governance and the Paradox of US Decline
BY Catherine Weaver, Associate Professor of Public Affairs
For the U.S. today, facing an inevitable decline in relative material power, engagement in multilateral institutions represents both an opportunity and a constraint.
Concluding Reflections on American Decline
BY William Inboden, Assistant Professor of Public Affairs
Professor William Inboden's final thoughts on the theme of the "American Decline."
