It's regressive culture. Like Kreia says, a Culture's teachings find definition in conflict, to constantly improve and build upon. Because post-modernism means nothing matters and American culture is so fixated on people's junk so that it isn't even about improving the lives of it's citizens but instead the oligarchs that control the country, a slow inevitable decline is what you get.

I have to wonder if this is the natural result of all Democracies, a slow decline into obscurity.

It's regressive culture. Like Kreia says, a Culture's teachings find definition in conflict, to constantly improve and build upon. Because post-modernism means nothing matters and American culture is so fixated on people's junk so that it isn't even about improving the lives of it's citizens but instead the oligarchs that control the country, a slow inevitable decline is what you get.

If have to wonder if this is the natural result of all Democracies, a slow decline into obscurity.