This is a weekly thread in which we read through books on and related to imperialism and geopolitics. Last week's thread is here.
Welcome to the sixth week of Michael Hudson's Super Imperialism: The Origin and Fundamentals of US World Dominance! I'm reading the Third Edition.
We are reading one chapter per week, meaning we will finish in June. Obviously, you are totally free to read faster than this pace and look at my/our commentary once we've caught up to you.
Every week, I will write a summary of the chapter(s) read, for those who have already read the book and don't wish to reread, can't follow along for various reasons, or for those joining later who want to dive right in to the next book without needing to pick this one up too. I will post all my chapter summaries in this final thread, for access in one convenient location. Please comment or message me directly if you wish to be pinged for this group.
This week, we will be reading Chapter 5: Lend Lease, the British Loan and the Fracturing of the British Empire, 1941-1946, which is approximately 27 pages.
Interesting to read the actual financial mechanisms behind the way the US dethroned the British Empire, though clearly not the whole picture and just one aspect.
I did find it funny to read Hudson essentially stating the common idea that it is fatal to be a US ally, even if it's dangerous to be a US enemy.