The American empire will not exist. The world is large enough, diverse enough, and dynamic enough to accept the dominance of only one power. Examining the demographic and cultural, industrial and monetary, ideological and military forces that are transforming the planet does not confirm the now common view of an invulnerable America.

Emmanuel Todd provides here the most realistic picture of a very large country, whose power has been undeniable, but whose relative decline appears irreversible. The United States was necessary for the balance of the world. Today, it cannot maintain its standard of living without the assistance of the rest of the world.

America, with its "theatrical" military activism directed against insignificant states, tries to cover up its retreat. The fight against terrorism, Iraq, and the "axis of evil" are nothing more than pretexts. America, since it no longer has the power to control the major economic and strategic forces, which are Europe and Russia, Japan and China, will lose this last hand in the game for world dominance. It will become a major power again among others.

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]