The West owes its hegemonic position in the world to the superiority of its military and economic power. In his new book, Rainer Mausfeld examines current wars and conflicts and, using studies from comparative economics, demonstrates that the privileged Western way of life is essentially based on the exploitation of weaker countries. The West's severe crisis makes it clear that the ideological illusions it has created are no longer compatible with the geopolitical realities of a multipolar world. Instead of seeking a balance of interests between states through diplomacy, the West is responding to this challenge by increasing its willingness to use organized violence. Fearing a loss of power, its political elites are switching to an end-game mode of destructive readiness, preferring to risk a nuclear catastrophe rather than accept any limitation on their hegemonic ambitions. New product