Subtleties of the American Empire/Superpower/Hyperpower
It just occurred to me that although America is not an empire in the conventional sense as demonstrated by Pax Britannica, if one stops to consider the sheer extent and depth of American influence in the world, it has achieved something far greater than an empire. In place of colonies, it has economies intricately intertwined with its own and nations dependent on its military provisions and support. It holds nations captive and keeps them in check not by sending missionaries or Stamford Raffles, but by offering them an irresistible slice of the prosperity pie. And if you don't readily fall into America's orbit, there's always the insanely advanced and expensive weaponry to strong arm you into doing so. And because it has taken so many steps to ensure multilateralism and promote free trade globally, trying to stay out of America's sphere of influence means your economic development will suffer, and consequently, your people, unless your country is endowed with natural resources and can support itself with subsistence agriculture and the like (say, Bhutan).
Because of this interconnectedness, America has been able to guarantee the support and cooperation of the world. And when it doesn't have that, it simply can go ahead or threaten even a mild degree of isolationism and no one can conceivably pose a sufficient threat towards it.
Various insidious factors such as the spread of American culture and beliefs, ideals, also play a paramount role in rallying youths the world over to the American "cause", to put it loosely. Given that these youths are the next generation of leaders, and given that they have grown up with a heavy exposure to American culture (such that some have absorbed it and identify themselves strongly with America)... it is not a long stretch to say that together with America's military and economic power, the decline of American hegemony may be a myth yet. This is of course, supported by the fact that George W. Bush's term of presidency is over.
On another note, I really wish I started my IPE research earlier, because all the books I want from the SMU library are already on loan, and I really think I need Ikenberry and Nye's pearls of wisdom and intellectual support if I'm going to make my term paper decent.
Because of this interconnectedness, America has been able to guarantee the support and cooperation of the world. And when it doesn't have that, it simply can go ahead or threaten even a mild degree of isolationism and no one can conceivably pose a sufficient threat towards it.
Various insidious factors such as the spread of American culture and beliefs, ideals, also play a paramount role in rallying youths the world over to the American "cause", to put it loosely. Given that these youths are the next generation of leaders, and given that they have grown up with a heavy exposure to American culture (such that some have absorbed it and identify themselves strongly with America)... it is not a long stretch to say that together with America's military and economic power, the decline of American hegemony may be a myth yet. This is of course, supported by the fact that George W. Bush's term of presidency is over.
On another note, I really wish I started my IPE research earlier, because all the books I want from the SMU library are already on loan, and I really think I need Ikenberry and Nye's pearls of wisdom and intellectual support if I'm going to make my term paper decent.