Comparative Book Review: The Roles and Burdens of the American Empire and Implications for Military Strategy
Abstract
In recent months, much has been written and discussed about the emergence/resurgence of the American empire. Other terms used for "empire" include sole superpower, hyperpower, or global hegemon. By early 2003, with the United States securing likely military success in Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States faced no single rival or group of opponents that could come anywhere near to matching the level of U.S. military capabilities. Moreover, in the case of Iraq, the United States acted without explicit U.N. authorization and thereby appeared to expand its own freedom of action. These events, however, have left open many questions about whether the dominance of U.S. power provides for greater U.S. security or the pursuit of other vital U.S. interests. It is important to note that the debate over the U.S. "imperium" is not a new one. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 eliminated the U.S.' superpower enemy and reconfigured the Cold War bipolar global order. However, discussion of the U.S. "empire" in the early 1990s focused on decline and the rise of new potential rivals, perhaps reflecting U.S. economic struggles at the time and the uncertainties of the post-Cold War era. Conflict and instability in Africa, the Balkans, and Central America pointed to potential U.S. "burdens" rather than opportunities for the United States to act like an imperial power.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 23, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA441623
Entities
People
- Julie A. Kim
Organizations
- National War College