The Rise and Fall of Hegemony

The podcast episode explores the rise and fall of hegemonic powers throughout history. It highlights how states like Spain, France, the Netherlands, Britain, and the United States have all vied for hegemonic power. It delves into the concept of elite conflict as opposed to traditional class conflict and how it affects the stability and longevity of power structures. The episode also emphasizes the importance of institutions in sustaining and managing elite conflict and how their absence or subversion can lead to the downfall of hegemonic states. The overall premise is that the United States is currently in decline as a hegemon, and the episode raises questions about the future of global capitalism and the potential rise of new powers like China.