America’s Micro-Militarism: Historical Patterns of Imperial Decline
Alfred McCoy, a history professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, argues that the U.S. actions in the Strait of Hormuz reflect a pattern he calls “micro-militarism,” which often appears in declining empires. He draws parallels to past failures, like Athens in 413 BC, Portugal in 1578, Spain in 1920, and Britain in 1956, where poor military decisions led to economic and political struggles. McCoy links this to former President Donald Trump’s second term, highlighting his “Liberation Day” tariffs from April 2025, a failed effort in Greenland, and a U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran on February 28, 2026. In retaliation, Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a global energy crisis and weakening U.S. strategic goals.
Key facts
- Alfred McCoy is the Harrington professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and author of Cold War on Five Continents.
- The article was originally published at TomDispatch.
- Plutarch described 'micro-militarism' as emotional military strikes by declining empires to regain grandeur.
- Athens' defeat in Sicily in 413 BC involved 200 ships and 12,000 soldiers; the fleet was destroyed and survivors enslaved.
- Portugal's defeat at Alcácer Quibir in 1578 killed 8,000 troops, captured 15,000; only 100 escaped.
- Spain's Battle of Annual in 1920 saw 12,000 Spanish troops killed by Berber fighters.
- Britain's Suez Crisis in 1956 ended with UN reprimand, IMF bailout, and loss of imperial prestige.
- On February 28, 2026, the U.S. and Israel launched a strike on Iran; Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz by striking freighters with drones.
Entities
Institutions
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- TomDispatch
- NATO
- United Nations
- International Monetary Fund
- MI6
- Spanish Foreign Legion
- Estado da India
- Athenian empire
- Portuguese empire
- Spanish empire
- British Empire
- Ottoman Empire
Locations
- United States
- Strait of Hormuz
- Iran
- Athens
- Greece
- Sicily
- Portugal
- Morocco
- Alcácer Quibir
- Spain
- Atlas Mountains
- Madrid
- Cuba
- Puerto Rico
- Philippines
- Rif
- Al Hoceima Bay
- London
- Egypt
- Suez Canal
- Sinai Peninsula
- Washington, D.C.
- Afghanistan
- Iraq
- South Korea
- Greenland
- Davos
- Islamabad
- Pakistan
- Persian Gulf
- Tehran
- Beirut
- Lisbon
- Goa
- Indonesia
- Indian Ocean
- South Atlantic
- Brazil
- Dardanelles Strait
- Aegean Sea
- Syracuse
- Piraeus