History has shown a consistent pattern of empires and nations that rise to prominence and eventually decline. This cycle is evident across civilizations, yet some Americans hold the belief that the United States stands apart from this historical trend. They perceive their nation as unique and immune to the typical forces that have influenced other empires throughout time.

In Stephen Kinzer's book "Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq," he challenges this notion by illustrating America's involvement in numerous regime changes. The book suggests that the belief in American exceptionalism may blind citizens to the lessons of history regarding power dynamics and the eventual consequences of imperial ambitions.