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"The United States today is an empire-but a peculiar kind of empire," writes Niall Ferguson. "synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title. When overstretch comes, he warns, it will come from within-and it will reveal that more than just the feet of the American colossus is made of clay. In an alarmingly persuasive final chapter Ferguson warns that this chronic myopia also applies to our domestic responsibilities. And the negative consequences will be felt at home as well as abroad. Worse, it’s an empire in denial-a hyperpower that simply refuses to admit the scale of its global responsibilities.
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Ours, he argues, is an empire with an attention deficit disorder, imposing ever more unrealistic timescales on its overseas interventions. Yet Americans shy away from the long-term commitments of manpower and money that are indispensable if rogue regimes and failed states really are to be changed for the better. In theory it’s a good project, says Ferguson.
#Social empires colossus free
Just like the British Empire a century ago, the United States aspires to globalize free markets, the rule of law, and representative government. In Colossus he argues that in both military and economic terms America is nothing less than the most powerful empire the world has ever seen. Bush maintains that "America has never been an empire." "We don’t seek empires," insists Defense Secretary Rumsfeld. Is America an empire? Certainly not, according to our government. Despite the conquest of two sovereign states in as many years, despite the presence of more than 750 military installations in two thirds of the world’s countries and despite his stated intention "to extend the benefits of freedom.to every corner of the world," George W.
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