Imperial America

No matter how much the moralists emphasise upon equality among the nations of the globe, the realists know well that it is merely a utopian dream of the weak. The economically, militarily or politically powerful states have always dominated the less powerful as per the terms and conditions laid down by them. When the mighty powers subjugate the weak whether directly or indirectly, it is imperialism, pure and simple.

After the break-up of the Soviet Union, the world has been at the mercy of USA. Some compare America's formidable strength with the Roman Empire, which, at its zenith was two thousand miles wide and three thousand miles long whereas the US imperium envelopes 193 states including those 120 where her army operates at will. That is why, a former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger confidently asserted in 2001 that America had attained "pre-eminence not enjoyed by even the greatest of empires of the past." How the Americans have achieved their present indomitable status within two centuries of independence is an unrivalled saga that has been beautifully explained by Dr Hafeez Malik, who is a professor of Political Science at the Villanova University, in his recently published book.

The US President Monroe fired the first salvo of American self-confidence in 1823 when he warned the European powers that any attempt on their part to interfere in the American hemisphere would be resisted with force of arms. Three decades later, President Lincoln reiterated the growing strength of the American nation when he declared, "No man is good enough to govern another man without that other's consent." The message was implicit: from then on, US would not be subservient to any colonial authority, no matter howsoever powerful. This American exuberance deserved commendation: the premise being that all nations are independent to rule themselves as they deem fit. However, by 1920, the US itself, which was once a victim of European colonialism - turned into an imperial power ranking ninth in area, seventh in population but fifth in commerce.