Is the U.S. an Empire ?

Question

The United States is the most powerful nation in the world which often acts unilaterally . The US has 737 military bases and 2,500,000 U.S. personnel serving across the planet - but is it an Empire ? Some people insist that “ empire ” means only direct rule over large-scale conquered territory and the United States today looks decidedly imperial . The term empire has entered common usage , not only among critics but also among advocates of muscular US policy and global superiority . Economist Niall Ferguson has written about the British Empire as a lesson-book for contemporary US power . Influential Washington neo-conservatives are using the " E-word " freely , insisting that the United States is the world’s most benevolent nation and that it should use its imperial power robustly to expand " freedom " across the globe .

My Question - What limits will the U.S. empire encounter , can it sustain " full spectrum dominance " for the forseeable future or will it provoke such broad opposition that its era of hegemony and prosperity comes swiftly and decisively to a close ? You Decide .

Here's a link which states there are over 737 Military Bases - http://www.alternet.org/story/47998

Of the 237 bases the US has thirty-eight large and medium-sized American facilities spread around the globe in 2005 -- mostly air and naval bases for our bombers and fleets -- almost exactly equals Britain's thirty-six naval bases and army garrisons at its imperial zenith in 1898. The Roman Empire at its height in 117 AD required thirty-seven major bases to police its realm from Britannia to Egypt, from Hispania to Armenia. Perhaps the optimum number of major citadels and fortresses for an imperialist aspiring to dominate the world is somewhere between thirty-five and forty.

Answer 1

Jim Sock,

Actually, in many ways, the USA is an empire. It's not one in the traditional sense of direct rule over territories like the British or the French used to do, but given the clout and power of the US over other countries - it certainly is.

It's that we use somewhat different instruments to wield our power. Such as the IMF, the World Bank - to impose structural adjustment policies as condtions of loans that actually hurt much of the country's population. WTO - for trade regimes that favor developed countries products over that of developing countries.

As for contributing to the costs of garrisoning military bases in other countries, did you know that Japan and Germany do have to fork out quite a bit of money to "host" US troops in their countries? Not unlike the British forcing the old colonists in 18th century Massachusetts to house British soldiers.

Answer 2

Like all empires the US will eventually crumble. The beginnings of this downturn are already in the air with so many countries united in their dislike to downright hatred of the US. This includes current and former allies.

A large war formed the US into a superpower. A smaller, but rapidly expanding one, is showing the cracks in the shell. Ironically enough, it's taking place in the area in which the last superpower fought a futile war and was sent on the way to eventual collapse.

The worrying thing is that previous empires that have faded away were resisted by both violent and non-violent means; but this time those who wish to use violence have the possibility of gaining access to weapons that would be used directly against the US as a country and not against "occupying" soldiers.

Should other major economic countries wish to chastise the US for it's unilateral acts or "bully-boy" tactics then it's not out of the realms of possibility that a united front against trade and the dollar could rapidly bring the US to an economic crisis, whatever the isolationists may think or say.

The current President and his neo-con cronies have opened a Pandoras Box from which the US could suffer quite badly. I only hope that the next President, from whichever party, does their best to try and close it and undo what the morons that have gone before have done.

Answer 3

Empire:
A political unit having an extensive territory or comprising a number of territories or nations and RULED BY A SINGLE SUPREME AUTHORITY.
Ask yourself these questions:

Where, outside of the contiguous states, Hawaii and Alaska ,are the people required to abide by US law, pay duty to the US government and are not free to come and go as they please?

What country that hosts a US base is not permitted to have a military or government of it's own?

What country has demanded that the US close it's base and was refused? (Subic Bay)
If anything, the converse is true. When the US military was considering phasing out Aviano, the Italians 'demanded' that it stay and be upgraded. The Americans accommodated.

Is it the act of an EMPIRE to continue to provide defense at a rate of 4.5% of GDP while it's partners in NATO only contribute 2.5% and use the balance to compete with their benefactor in the free market while subsidizing their agricultural sector?

Is it the act of an EMPIRE to succumb to unfair trade deficiets?

I could go on all day. That fact is that the US does not even approach the EMPIRE criteria.

If you want to accuse the US of acting like an EMPIRE, you'll have to change the definition.

Answer 4

What are you talking about? First you are asking if the US is an empire. Then the very definition you cite proves it is not. Then you ask what limits the US empire. Then you cite "Influential Washington neo-conservatives" (while naming none) and claim they are usiting words like "empire" and "imperial power".

My good man, anyone who thinks America is an imperial empire is by no means a conservative neo or otherwise. I recommend you stop listening what others are telling you and read a bit of American History. After World War I did we seek world domination? No, in fact we immediately went back to having one of the smallest, weakest militaries in the world. After World War II (into which America had to be dragged kicking and screaming) we stood astride the entire planet with no serious opposition and in sole posession of the only operational atomic bombs in the world. Did we seek world domination? Again, quite the contrary. We spent great amounts of our own treasure restoring the infrastructure of our allies and former enemies. Did we take over their governments? No, we provided guidence and gave the gift of liberty to the citizens and permitted them to have self-determination.

We do not want nor do we seek "full spectrum dominance" whatever that means. We do seek influence. We do promote freedom and democracy. Why? When was the last time we fought a war against another democracy? Democratic societies do not start wars.

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Answer 5

No we are on our way back to a monarchy. We also will be losing major power status as China takes hold and other countries chime in. Gone are the days. Don't think Bush all on his own created this. It has been along time coming. Look into the Clinton's further and you may connect some dots.

The era of hegemony may close. Prosperity can still be found. Alot depends if the US re instates a Clinton into power. OR if real change can be found to pull US out of the storm. Because it is the Perfect Storm toward disaster if we repeat old mistakes, bargains and political wrangling such as we have seen before. Thank you.

Answer 6

N O, The United States of America is NOT an
empire. The USA is closing down most of these bases overseas as well as within the USA. If the
USA was an empire, we would also have control
of these countries that we have bases in and that is NOT the case.

Answer 7

the United states of America is a republic and as long as it remains so, it will never be an Empire.

Answer 8

Yes, we are absolutely an empire.

At present, we are going the way of Rome.

Answer 9

The US does not qualify as an empire. While we may exert influence due to our military and economic power, there are no nations that simply do what we say, let alone that are under our direct control.

Answer 10

By your estimation China, Great Britain, Japan, and India are all Empires as well. Just because we are the perceived world power does not make us an Empire.