Why do people believe America is an empire?

Question

America is clearly not an empire. Empires forcefully conquer sovereign nations for the purpose of permanent territorial expansion and the establishment of permanent political hegemony over the indigenous population. Take the Western Hemisphere as an example; all shattered remnants of what were once proud European empires. When America finds itself in the awkward position of occupying another nation, it is not done with a grand Napoleonic vision of world conquest, and it's in response to either a direct act of hostility (i.e. Japan, Afghanistan), or its done because, in the broader context of greater empirical events, a nation would eventually constitute a threat against us (i.e. Iraq), or it is done in order to alleviate the pain and suffering an oppressive regime has caused on its people. America offeres to other nations, some not all, the services that governments offer to their own people.So America is much like the sun to the solar system. Thats why nations havent risen against us

Mr. Num Num- I love the name. Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Philippines, were not occupied by forceful conquest, they were in response to Spain’s declaration of war on the united states. There is no U.S.political hegemony in those states. They elect their own representative and are not forced to report to the hierarchy in Washington. We withdrew from Cuba only three years after we began that occupation, and the Platt amd. was overturned in 1934. Furthermore, all u.s. territories have been given the opportunity to declare their independence, and 40% voted to stay u.s. dependencies, 30% voted for statehood 20% were unsure and only 10% wanted independence. Empires forcefully subject people to unwanted governance. It’s not enough just to read a history book num num, you need to understand it. Also, the United States provides services to other nations, the services that governments provide to societies within the state. Our relationship to other nations is what the sun is to the planets.

grasshop- why would you assert that those military bases are not needed anymore? Indeed they are, and in fact we're there by invitation. How can you say that us having military bases in another country mean we're an empire when those bases are there because their governments have allowed us to stay there? We serve a policy of reassurance in Europe and a policy of reassurance and deterrence in East Asia. Perhaps you should educate yourself a bit more before chalking everything up into a cartoonishly simplistic explanation.

Answer 1

Well said Billy, well said.

Answer 2

considering our rather short time at the top, 1776 was not very long ago. we have managed to make a lot of enemies, mostly by referring to ourselves "as the sun in the solar system" you jackass, no wonder everyone hates us so much. Yes we aren't the exact definition of an empire based on a definition that was created when the US was filled with non influenza and tuberculosis infected native Americans. What we are is something new, something different. We have everything, we demand obedience and we don't necessarily have to follow our own rules. Do I hate America? No way, i love America, it has done everything for me. I'm sure I would be dead by now if my government didn't take care of me. However do I agree with everything they say or do? Not by a long shot. We have 300+ bases around the world which we installed and armed with all sorts of nasty missiles and personnel in the late 20th to combat communism (another good move by america, i love my ipod, yay capitalism) however since the fall of communism (i aint to scared of cuba, and North korea, well well see about that) my point is why leave fully armed military bases across the world if theres no need for them? the answer, empire my friend, empire.

p.s. let the flames begin

Answer 3

You are correct. The USA is not an Empire

Empire
Noun
1. The domain ruled by an emperor or empress.

2. A group of countries under a single authority: "the British empire".

3. A monarchy with an emperor as head of state.

4. A group of diverse companies run as a single organization.

5. An eating apple that somewhat resembles a McIntosh; used as both an eating and a cooking apple.

Answer 4

Because they can. But seriously you are correct. The U.S. is Not an empire but at times it wishes it was. Very succinctly we are just a country. Our forefathers created a constitution, Bill of rights, etc. the contents of which were certainly non all-inclusive at the time they were written. Amongst other negatives, we killed, murdered, tortured and enslaved and gave a certain group of people diseases which they had never had before. We fought in many wars and we bombed Japan. We helped bomb other places. And somewhere along the way we did some other bombing under the label of :"shock and awe"--- In the interim many survived the negatives. There are good people in the United States. Good people who have done good things for others.
Still we are not an empire.
We are just a country.

Answer 5

America is seen as the modern empire. unlike European feudal states, America is a series of states (which have many of the independances that countries and provinces in the British Empires have), controlled by one federal government. In this way, America Is an empire, as it is really 52 (i think) seperate countries joined under one rule.

Answer 6

America is seen as an "empire" mainly due to it's imperialist stance at the turn of the 20th century. If you don't believe that America has ever extended it's boundaries through conquest, you might want to go talk to the good people of Hawaii or Puerto Rico- or even Cuba for a short period of time!

Read your history books. They are fun and educational. Edutainment!

Answer 7

Empires have an Emperor and neither Bill Gates no Donald Trump are there yet.

You might want to get a prescription for some Valium to resolve that anger issue too, Pookie!

Answer 8

Imperialism takes many forms, and the classic sense of imperialism of conquering a nation to subjugate it into the empire is no longer the norm. Now its done through nation building, and trade sanctions, etc.... I think America is an empire, and in fact you could call any country an empire so long as it is sovereign.

Answer 9

They don't---its just the media being anti-Bush. Have you ever noticed that they didn't call America an empire when Clinton was intervening in Bosnia or in Africa or even in Hait?

Answer 10

The them. Its like say some people. Point out this person/persons I will go and ask him or them.

How does this sound. "hey don't you dare say this is an Empire"

or for that matter think it. you heathen

Answer 11

Because they believe that Bush is an Emperor!