Is the United States an Empire?

Paper Summary:

This paper examines whether the United States could be considered an hegemonic power or even an empire. It discusses the effect of the United States on the world and suggests that a world without strong U.S. leadership would be less peaceful, less stable, and less prosperous. The paper then argues that the United States in the present is one that is hurling the republic toward becoming an empire.

Table of Contents:
Statement of Thesis
The American Empire
A Momentous Departure from Previous US Policy
Elements of an Empire Defined
Realism and Restraint
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper:

"This appears to be what has happened in relation to the United States involvement in the war in Iraq, as every American is able to see that removal of U.S. troops is the preferable choice, and yet due to pathway dependence this is not likely to occur. Additionally, with war drums now reverberating from the country of Iran who insists that it is gaining nuclear abilities the expansion of the empire of the United States will likely be forced, due to pathway dependency to march forward into yet another war with the country of Iran, unless Iran bows to the will of the United States. The better-chosen path for the Untied States in the situation with Iraq would certainly have been based upon the realism policy of containment however, it does appear to be far too late to make that reversal."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Maier, Charles (2006) Among Empires: American Ascendancy and Its Predecessors. Harvard University Press 2006.
• Khalidi, Rashid (2004) Resurrecting Empire: Western Footprints and America's Perilous Path in the Middle East. Beacon Press 2004.
• Hulsman, John C. and Lieven, Anatol (2005) The Ethics of Realism. 2005 Summer. The National Interest.
• Hurrell, Andrew (2006) Hegemony, Liberalism and Global Order: What Space for Would-Be Great Powers. International Affairs 1 (2006) 1-19.

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