*Auguste Maxime, [https://forumgeopolitica.com/article/the-fall-of-empires-begins-with-the-loss-of-legitimacy The Fall of Empires Begins With the Loss of Legitimacy]. ''The [[American empire]] has long portrayed itself as a defender of [[democracy]], [[human rights]], [[peace]], and [[prosperity]]. But the widening gap between this [[narrative]] and [[reality]] is rapidly undermining its legitimacy. | *Auguste Maxime, [https://forumgeopolitica.com/article/the-fall-of-empires-begins-with-the-loss-of-legitimacy The Fall of Empires Begins With the Loss of Legitimacy]. ''The [[American empire]] has long portrayed itself as a defender of [[democracy]], [[human rights]], [[peace]], and [[prosperity]]. But the widening gap between this [[narrative]] and [[reality]] is rapidly undermining its legitimacy. |