西方政治是一个零和博弈：每次选举中，51% 的胜利者必然意味着 49% 的失败者。 然而，竞争的激烈程度实际上使其变成了负和博弈。每一届以 51% 获胜的一方都会将传统机构武器化，用来对抗那 49% 的败方，从而在每个周期结束时，让双方都剩得更少。 政治冲突之所以如此激烈，是因为西方正处于相对的经济衰退中。不幸的是，这种激烈的冲突会进一步加速衰退。 Western politics is zero-sum. For every 51% election winner, a 49% loser. However, the intensity of the competition actually turns it negative-sum. Each succeeding 51% election winner weaponizes (and thereby destroys) legacy institutions to fend off the 49% loser, leaving less for both parties after each cycle. The political conflict is so intense because the West is in relative economic decline. Unfortunately, intense conflict further accelerates that decline.