American Empire?

Can you call the United States an empire? Why or why not? If so in what ways does it function as an empire? If not, why can't it be considered an empire?

I'd say no. We definately had one though. (another sign Rumslfed is a complete ignoramus >> he claimed America never had any colonial/imperial interests).

We currently have our hands over everything and were the bully on campus, but we don't physcially have direct control over too many governments yet. We are becoming empire-like though, you could definately make a good case for it.

No, it's a cultural and political (political only partly tho) Hegemony

id say more political than cultural. why do you think its the other way around?

Empire......don't think so. Influential yes......Important to the rest of the world, mmmmm yep. If we go down, will take others down with us........ahhhh, yeah I think so......

Soooooooo Please buy American goods, the life you save might be your own. 😛

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In comparison to what we call the European and Asian empires of the past, America's not one.

Originally posted by Alliance
id say more political than cultural. why do you think its the other way around?

Because it's political system (liberal democracy) is not followed as widely as it's cultural system (liberal capitalism) in the world.

US decisions are of great importance and influences in both areas but I still think that altho it has established a cultural hegemony in areas like the middle east and china. It's political hegemony is not as strong in those area's of the globe. Unless ofc it is forced on those regions by means of war, but that kinda destroys the hegemony idea in my opinion.

I think it can be considered an Empire, because we striked back against terrorism! The Empire Strikes Back! Get it!

Okay, I promise I won't treat this place like the OTF from this point on. My bad.

Originally posted by Fire
Because it's political system (liberal democracy) is not followed as widely as it's cultural system (liberal capitalism) in the world.

US decisions are of great importance and influences in both areas but I still think that altho it has established a cultural hegemony in areas like the middle east and china. It's political hegemony is not as strong in those area's of the globe. Unless ofc it is forced on those regions by means of war, but that kinda destroys the hegemony idea in my opinion.

Well, the political system of the us is a constitutionally based federal republic, but the US has been responsible, along with France, for introducing democratic ideals. I'd argue that those democratic ideals and its use of a constitution make the US a very powerful political force. If those dont do it, there's always our army 😖.

I think liberal capitalism applies to government to. Culture applies more to daily life, music, art, architecture, and general ideals. I think a lot of american culture is based off of the philosophy of our government.

yea, but the use of an army, atleast the use of force, does not make a hegemony. You are right about constitutional legacy, that's a big influence, but again regions like China and arabia don't really care about consitutions (atleast not consitutions that proclaim democratic ideas and liberties)

capitalism is important, for music, art, architecture and general ideals. capitalism is a way of thinking that affects everything in society. With capitalism our culture would not be what it is now. the government has surely promoted capitalism, for economy and politics go together.

But I still think that eventho regions like arabia and china don't copy the US base for the political system. They have all accepted capitalism as a way of life. China only recently, but arabia a long time ago, eventho they don't really care about the politics that 'should' go with it.

America is a superpower. but it is not an Empire.

yes America is a superpower but it is not even close to being an empire. the u.s is slowly losing that power. I would predict another country will replace america as the superpower of the world less than 100 years from now. I think china will someway or another just because it is a dark horse and it has great potential, despite its large population and having less children because of that. some of the major concerns of america will bring it down if it isn't solved. like gay marriage, illegal immigration, social security, the welfare system, losing factories to other countries, the war in Iraq, class ism which is starting to become a major concern now, the possibility of another civil war many years from now, the bird flu,scandals involving government officials, terrorist attacks from both natives and foreigners, these are the things that will bring the u.s down not from losing any war or anything else.

The only people who consider America an empire are commies and other jerks who hate freedom usaflag

are you sure about that?

I don't know if America is an empire. We can argue all night about that.

What I do know however, and this is a fact, that it acts like an Empire. Especially behind closed curtains.

its simply a hyper-power.

Originally posted by who?-kid
I don't know if America is an empire. We can argue all night about that.

What I do know however, and this is a fact, that it acts like an Empire. Especially behind closed curtains.

People always complain that America polices the world.

However look back at Pre- WWII. When America was in isolation, there were wars and horrible things going on.

And since the UN is so corrupt, the US had to stand up and defend those who cant defend themselves.

Now if the UN actually did their jobs, this wouldnt be the case

Originally posted by Grimm22
People always complain that America polices the world.

Before you think I attack America, I attack the way of thinking of the White House, not the American people. I hope you can see the difference.

When America was in isolation, there were wars and horrible things going on.

And since the UN is so corrupt, the US had to stand up and defend those who cant defend themselves.

The most horrible things are happening now in Africa (Rwanda, Sudan) it's plain mass murder, and it's going on for years and years. Have you ever heard America say one thing about Africa ? Nope. Why not ? Because Africa is poor...

Now if the UN actually did their jobs, this wouldnt be the case

Originally posted by Grimm22
People always complain that America polices the world.

However look back at Pre- WWII. When America was in isolation, there were wars and horrible things going on.

And since the UN is so corrupt, the US had to stand up and defend those who cant defend themselves.

Now if the UN actually did their jobs, this wouldnt be the case

The UN can't do its job because the US treats it like sh*t. The UN is to be above every nation...including the US. Untill that is the case (and the UN gets an army) the UN will be able to be what it was meant to be.

And the US's craptastic foreign policies have done a lot of damage to the world. American arraogance.

Originally posted by debbiejo
Empire......don't think so. Influential yes......Important to the rest of the world, mmmmm yep. If we go down, will take others down with us........ahhhh, yeah I think so......

Soooooooo Please buy American goods, the life you save might be your own. 😛

This add is sponsored by your friendly friends on the Internet....

Well, I don't think that America will be selling goods to allot of people soon, China is supplying the world with cheap to make goods, and the EU is soon to ban shoes made in China from coming into the European Market because they don't want it to hurt Euro-Industry, chances are, the Union Will become entirely self-sufficiant.

And with China meeting the rest of the worlds needs...not alot of people for America to sell too...