History does not remember the runner-up. It remembers the conqueror who secured the longest road.
Sun Tzu's Lost Chapter
Most scholars focus on Sun Tzu's The Art of War as a guide for nation-states. They conveniently ignore the recently discovered (and highly disputed) "Bamboo Slip 42", which specifically addresses resource management.
"If your enemy desires wheat, flood the market with sheep. Make him choke on wool until he trades away his victory points for mere sustenance." - Sun Tzu (Allegedly)
This teaches us that trade is not cooperation; it is warfare by other means. A "fair trade" is a failure of negotiation.
Clausewitz on Monopoly
Carl von Clausewitz famously stated that war is the continuation of politics by other means. But in the late nights of a Monopoly marathon, we see that bankruptcy is the continuation of friendship by other means.
Total war requires total commitment. There is no "free parking" in the harsh reality of global domination. To offer a loan to a failing player is to prolong their suffering. The merciful act is swift elimination.
Napoleon at Austerlitz
Consider the Pratzen Heights. Napoleon feigned weakness to draw the Allies in, exposing their center. In a game of Risk, this is equivalent to leaving Australia undefended to tempt an opponent into overextending from Asia.
While they busy themselves with your bait, you consolidate your hold on North America. By the time they realize the trap, you are already collecting 5 extra armies per turn. Checkmate.