Filenews 2 February 2026 - by Steve Forbes
Lately, the claim that the United States has been "exploited" by other states since World War II, especially since the end of the Cold War, has been gaining ground, supposedly undermining its prosperity. However, a dispassionate assessment of the last eight decades shows that both the US and much of the planet have experienced an unprecedented period of progress and stability.
Despite the mistakes and tragedies that undoubtedly occurred, the institutions, economic agreements and the post-war international system that were built with the US playing a leading role contributed to a historic improvement in living conditions. The image of a country that has been systematically "harmed" is not in line with the available data.
In 1950, about two-thirds of the world's population lived in extreme poverty, now defined as an income of $2.15 a day. By 1990, this percentage had fallen to a third, despite the more than doubling of the world's population. Today, with a population of more than 8 billion, less than 10% live in extreme poverty — a shift that represents a historic leap in prosperity.
At the same time, Americans saw a spectacular improvement in their standard of living. Median household income, in real terms, has more than doubled since 1950, from about $31,800 to $83,730 today, not counting additional benefits. The strengthening of purchasing power was reflected in better housing, more consumer goods and a higher quality of life.
Technological progress has transformed everyday life. Devices that a few decades ago were considered a luxury or science fiction are now widely available. Portable digital devices act as pocket supercomputers, while the internet has democratized access to information, education, and services.
Accordingly, housing improved qualitatively and quantitatively. The post-war small houses were replaced by larger houses with modern amenities. The average area of a newly built detached house has increased from about 90 sqm in 1950 to over 220 sqm today, while owner-occupancy has helped create wealth for millions of families.
In the field of health, progress has been decisive. Life expectancy has increased from about 65 years in 1945 to over 77 years today. Diseases that once caused mass deaths were reduced or eliminated, while diseases such as cancer and heart disease became in many cases manageable.
At the same time, the expansion of political and social rights changed the structure of American society. The civil rights movement, the empowerment of women, and mass access to higher education have reshaped opportunities for millions of citizens.
Overall, the post-war period is marked by continuous progress, despite the current challenges. Questioning this historical course and adopting simplistic narratives about "exploitation" carries the risk of political choices that could overturn decades of conquests.
Understanding how far humanity has come – and with what institutions – is a prerequisite for avoiding mistakes that in the past led to economic collapses and global conflicts, with consequences that today, in a nuclear world, would be even more catastrophic.
