Interesting and agreeable, even though not very explanatory. It suggests that “garden variety” nation states actually come in several varieties, and the most parasitic are simultaneously overblown with their own importance and less capable to manage at home without lots of foreign loot and conquest. The USA comes to mind. Geography, natural resources, history and environment determine so much of culture, and nation behaviour. They imprint themselves on people, who come to believe it grew out from their own superiority, rather than emergence from complex systems of accidents. We should look to those whom history has taught better lessons.