Announced with boundless optimism in 1941, “the American Century” is nearing its end. Since WWII, America has taken over from Britain as the leading empire.  So what caused this decline, what must we learn, and what about America may survive and actually thrive in the next phase? Acclaimed author historian Alfred McCoy discusses his upcoming book In the Shadows of The American Century: The Rise and Decline of US Global Power. What is the connection between use of torture and the end of empire? Do Americans feel we need to be a global power? How precipitous and wrenching might the decline be? What can we do now?