

#2390
Mentioned in 11 episodes
Colossus
The Rise and Fall of the American Empire
Book • 2012
In 'Colossus,' Niall Ferguson argues that the United States is the most powerful empire the world has ever seen, both militarily and economically.
He compares the U.S.
to the British Empire, noting that both aspire to globalize free markets, the rule of law, and representative government.
However, Ferguson contends that Americans shy away from the long-term commitments of manpower and money necessary to effectively manage and transform rogue regimes and failed states.
He describes the U.S.
as an empire with an attention deficit disorder, imposing unrealistic timescales on its overseas interventions and refusing to acknowledge its global responsibilities.
The book warns of the negative consequences of this chronic myopia, both domestically and internationally, and suggests that the eventual collapse of this empire may come from within due to its internal weaknesses.
He compares the U.S.
to the British Empire, noting that both aspire to globalize free markets, the rule of law, and representative government.
However, Ferguson contends that Americans shy away from the long-term commitments of manpower and money necessary to effectively manage and transform rogue regimes and failed states.
He describes the U.S.
as an empire with an attention deficit disorder, imposing unrealistic timescales on its overseas interventions and refusing to acknowledge its global responsibilities.
The book warns of the negative consequences of this chronic myopia, both domestically and internationally, and suggests that the eventual collapse of this empire may come from within due to its internal weaknesses.
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 11 episodes
Mentioned by 

as a friend and author of Colossus.


Andrew Roberts

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Mentioned by Niall Ferguson in the podcast as a book he published 21 years ago, discussing the rise and fall of America's empire.

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Mentioned by 

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Niall Ferguson

91 snips
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Mentioned by 

as a historian who argues that America is an empire, presenting a perspective from the right.


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Mentioned by 

as one of four classic science fiction movies not to miss.


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Mentioned by Cornel West when talking about the rise and fall of empires.

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as a decent science fiction trilogy.


Steve Gibson

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Mentioned by ![undefined]()

to summarize the impact of Caesar's conquest of Gaul.

Alex Petkus

11 snips
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Mentioned by 

when discussing American power and its imperial nature.


Niall Ferguson

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Mentioned by Stephen King in his piece for The Atlantic, reflecting on AI's ability to write.

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Mentioned by ![undefined]()

in the context of early portrayals of AI in film.

Bob Mondello

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Mentioned by 

as a book highly skeptical about the neoconservative enterprise after 9/11.


Niall Ferguson

#402 - The Geopolitics of Trump 2.0
Referenced from his Free Press article, predicting the decline of the American empire.

Historian Niall Ferguson on the Challenges to America’s Global Dominance