Introduction: The problem of decline
I. Hegemony past. 1. Hegemons, empires, and their elites
2. Money and military success, 1500-1815
3. Spain and France: military dominance without hegemony
4. The Netherlands: elites v. hegemony
5. Britain: exceptional reform
II. Hegemony present. 6. From consensus to paralysis in the United States, 1960-2016
7. The American military: without rival and without victory
8. The American economy: financial cannibalization
III. After hegemony. 9. After decline