Much slower communications and transport.
The British Empire lasted about 100 years. You could claim that Pax American is an extension of the British Empire, and both are merely parts of the Christian Empire.
That would extend it out another 350 years, from about 1550 to present... We could also call it Western Civilization.
The Politico story was written by Bianca Padró Ocasio...
A true native if there ever was one...ROFL...:o)