The Decline is a punk EP by NOFX. The CD version consisted of only the 18-minute title track, but the vinyl included a different version of "Clams Have Feelings Too" (from Pump Up the Valuum) on the B-side. The Decline is largely a satire of American politics and law, with an overwhelming concern for blind behaviors of the masses, such as complacency, indifference, and conformity, as well as destruction of constitutional rights, and condemnation of the religious right. Although the lyrics are somewhat disjointed, they all refer back to the unifying theme of the "decline" of America. The outro of the song on the trombone is played by Lars Nylander of Skankin' Pickle.

According to the band, the recording of The Decline was:

The Subhumans song Fat Mike is most likely referring to is the title track to From The Cradle To The Grave, which is over 16 minutes in length.

The first 155 copies were pressed on clear vinyl, a version which is no longer available.

The cover of the album is of a boy holding a model airplane. In the Pink Floyd movie The Wall, 18 minutes into the film (which is about how long The Decline is) there is a scene in which a boy runs around with a plane, in the same fashion as the boy on the cover of The Decline. Some variations of the rumour even suggest that The Decline could be played along with The Wall in the same way as Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon supposedly could with The Wizard of Oz. Fat Mike, however, when queried on this matter, just replied: "You are insane."