American power is fading abroad while ordinary people at home have less say than ever over foreign and economic policy — a bleak read for anyone hoping voting alone can change course.

• Historian Daniel Bessner argues Americans can criticize the empire but still cannot picture a world where the U.S. isn't on top.
• The setup dates to the years after World War II, when leaders deliberately walled off war and money decisions from voters and Congress.
• One result: Congress has not declared war since 1942, and presidents pick top security aides with no approval needed.
• Organized business gets what it wants from Washington; organized citizens mostly do not.
• Elites no longer bother selling wars to the public — the Iraq WMD pitch had a cover story, the Iran strikes barely did.

Outlook: No quick fix is on offer, and change likely starts only if fights over who gets what become real politics again.