The world was not "working just fine". It _appeared_ to be "working just fine" but it isn't.

Take a look at U.S. shipbuilding capacity, U.S. military equipment maintenance, and the defense industrial base that is maintaining the _appearance_ of the powerful status quo. This isn't unique to the U.S., the same is happening in Russia.

Turns out it costs a _lot_ of money to keep this charade up for everyone.