Who is the bigger Imperialist?

Question

The USA often bats about the idea that the UK are Imperialist and evil etc etc.
Looking at the Websters definition http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/imperialism and I quote
: the policy, practice, or advocacy of extending the power and dominion of a nation especially by direct territorial acquisitions OR by gaining indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas; broadly : the extension or imposition of power, authority, or influence
With that in mind would the present American State beat the old colonial powers at Imperialism?, if it were a contest of course.

The emphasis on this section
"by gaining indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas"
I think that the USA holds true to this with the majority of "free" countries in the world, including ours (UK), or have we forgotten the Marshall Plan?

Answer 1

The US are the imperialists of the 21st century. Britain learned from history that imperialism is a bad idea in the long run. US intereference in other countries has led to numerous problems for the US including 9/11 which was provoked by a US presence in the middle east. If Americans aren't careful their imperialism may well cause their downfall. It's already slowing down progression and causing division in the US while China becomes richer.

Answer 2

OH boy, the USA will never live down its Age of Imperialism. Now in the 21st century it is an antiquated policy. UK came about with exploration in the 1700's. The USA was during the late !800's thru the turn of the century. With the constitutional amendment for election of senators [!912] Brought an end to the policy of "Whats good for business is good for America" and imperialism and the beginning of social reform.

Answer 3

with time the position keep changing. uk was but not now. and the country that is in the power is USA so it's definitely USA. the definition to the imperialism should be changed as the control over other country is not as direct as it used to be in the past. everything is more diplomatic these days so should the words be. there's only one country in the world which can do whatever it want and others can only protest. there's a lion in the jungle that's the theme.

Answer 4

The 2003 Defense Department's "Base Structure Report" lists 702 foreign bases owned or leased by the Pentagon, with about 6,000 more installations in the US and its possessions. As vast as this network seems, the report inexplicably fails to include any locations in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Qatar and Kosovo. And to these must now be added at least 14 garrisons in Iraq.

Then there is "under-reporting". In Asia, the 10 US Marine Corps facilities on Okinawa, including the sprawling 485-hectare USMC Futenma Air Station, have only one entry. The array of intelligence gathering and other military installations in Britain are nowhere to be found in the report, possibly because they all are technically Royal Air Force facilities. Moreover, while a surface-based "boost-phase" missile defense system to counter North Korean missiles can be deployed on ships in the international waters of the Sea of Japan, effective coverage by a surface-based system to counter Iranian missiles would require launch sites in at least Afghanistan and Iraq (and possibly Turkmenistan), according to a Congressional Budget Office study completed in July.

Answer 5

Ok, 1st off the UK is not imperialist, they WERE imperialist. It's a history thing, I'd suggest going to school and paying attention. And yes depending on your point of view we may be considered imperialist, but that's better than having 1000's more dead at the hands of Jihadists. Take a step back from the world and (if you can) your beliefs and just look at the facts and what is going on. It's hard to put aside what you think you already know, but it really is necessary to actually SEE what is happening. Don't be a dem , repub, lib or conservative, just be a man with eyes.

Answer 6

I do live in the United States and I do believe we are becoming (or have already become) the next great empire. This is most deffinately not a good thing as history has shown us that all great empires eventually crumble. The Romans spread themselves to thin and I believe we are currently doing the same. Perhaps it's our attempt to sustain capitalism and milk that until we move into socialism as Marx envisioned. Perhaps.

Answer 7

Hardly. How many areas did Britain control at one point or another? Their island, most of North America, Australia, India, parts of China, and lots of islands in the Pacific. Spain built an empire in the Pacific, Mediterranean, and (almost) the rest of North and South America, not to mention parts of Italy.

The United States currently controls its own government. Yes, we have influence on other countries, but it's diplomatic influence, not the influence of a country that's taken over matters. In the past, we've had such control over the Philippines and Cuba (after the Spanish-American War), and Japan (for a short time after World War II). The only country that you could possibly see in that way is Iraq, and they do have a functional government at this point. And the entire objective is for them to have a stable government free from outside control.

Answer 8

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
I don't think America at heart is imperialistic as such. I think the problem is extreme capitalism - big business trying to run the world. I mean, how long is it going to be before McDonalds get their first store in Afghanistan or Iraq?

Answer 9

US is an Imperial nation but they suffer collective denial. Philippines, Hawaii and Cuba prove this. Remember that Clinton had to formally apologise for the forced annexation of Hawaii.

Answer 10

no, Back then Imperialism was everywhere. If you beat someone you took their land. Even if we were an empire we still couldn't beat brittians old empire. it was huge. lol the sun never set on the British empire. until they lost everything. the strongest countries always lose sometime.