Includes bibliographical references (pages 419-444) and index.
Contents:
Twelve Part I Hegemony under threat. One Continental expansion -- Two Mexico and Central America -- Three Africa and the Pacific -- Four The Caribbean -- Part II The semiglobal empire -- Five Institutions -- Six Nonstate actors -- Seven The empire in action -- Eight The unipolar moment -- Part III The empire in retreat -- Nine Anti-imperialism in the United States -- Ten The US economy -- Eleven The decline of leadership -- Twelve Hegemony under threat.
Summary:
A sweeping history of the United States through the lens of empire-and an incisive look forward as the nation retreats from the global stage A respected authority on international relations and foreign policy, Victor Bulmer-Thomas offers a grand survey of the United States as an empire. From its territorial expansion after independence, through hegemonic rule following World War II, to the nation's current imperial retreat, the United States has had an uneasy relationship with the idea of itself as an empire. In this book Bulmer-Thomas offers three definitions of empire-territorial, informal, and institutional-that help to explain the nation's past and forecast a future in which the United States will cease to play an imperial role. Arguing that the move toward diminished geopolitical dominance reflects the aspirations of most U.S. citizens, he asserts that imperial retreat does not necessarily mean national decline and may ultimately strengthen the nation-state. At this pivotal juncture in American history, Bulmer-Thomas's uniquely global perspective will be widely read and discussed across a range of fields.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.