International monitors have downgraded the U.S. status. In 2026, the V-Dem Institute classified the U.S. as an "electoral democracy" rather than a "liberal democracy".
Economic Inequality: Wealth concentration has reached historic highs. The ratio of CEO-to-worker pay rose from 24:1 in 1965 to over 260:1 in recent decades.
Public Health: U.S. life expectancy (roughly 77.5 years) has fallen behind other wealthy nations, exacerbated by "deaths of despair" (overdoses, suicides) and flaws in the healthcare system.
Political Polarization: Deep internal divisions have led to government dysfunction and a loss of public trust in core institutions like elections.
Global Share of GDP: The U.S. share of world income dropped from nearly 25% in 1980 to under 20% by the 2010s as China and other emerging markets grew.
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