American Empire? Ancient Reflections on Modern American Power

Abstract

American Empire, or, more properly, whether has an empire, is a fiercely debated topic these days. You see issue arise in newspaper editorials, magazine articles, television discussions, and prominent new books. Historians in particular have taken up question. short-term cause, of course, is controversial U.S. invasion and ongoing occupation of Iraq, which has dominated headlines ever since its beginning. But for years before this second U.S.-Iraq war, talk about United States as Empire had been on rise, stemming from fact that since fall of Soviet Union United States has been seen as the world's lone superpower. This phrase is a cliche by now, but it points to an undeniable truth: no other nation on earth comes close to matching America's combination of military power, military reach, alliances, advanced technology, and economic strength. And since psychologically devastating attacks on country on September 11, 2001, American policy has changed regarding use of its unrivalled power around globe. In 2002 president boldly announced a new strategic doctrine of preemption, whereby United States reserves right to launch attacks against perceived foes anywhere in world at any time simply because government thinks a hostile act might be in offing somewhere, at some time. In official U.S. government policy statement The National Security Strategy of United States of America one reads: