Lecture (1 hour inclusive of lecture and Q&A)
The United States of America is arguably the most powerful nation in history. With over 750 military bases in 130 countries, it can intervene at any time in any place in order to protect its interests. Economically, even in the wake of recession, approximately 30 percent of the world’s output is attributed to America, while the dollar remains the currency of international trade. Finally, the United States exerts immense soft power influence, and exports its culture widely. Even those who regard themselves as “anti-American” voluntarily follow the trends and fads of American cinema, television, and music, snapping up American goods, or black market copies.
Does this abundance of power and influence make America an imperial power? There are those that argue, while American leaders use words such as “great power” and “hegemony” to avoid calling themselves an “empire”, they are, unavoidably imperial.
Others argue that there is a vital distinction between being powerful and being an empire. While America expands economically, it does so without territorial control, avoiding permanent occupation. They argue the ultimate aim of the U.S. is to spread democracy and promote individual rights. This outlook is incompatible with the notion of being an empire.
This lecture explores these debates, focussing on issues such as:
- Empires – comparing the Athenian, Roman, British and U.S. model
- The case for and against America being an empire
- If America is an empire, who are its subjects?
- The future for America
For maximum benefit and skills development, students will be expected to take notes during the lecture. There will be a chance for questions and discussion of the issues raised at the end.
Seminar (1 hour)
In the seminar session, students will be given a range of sources comparing the United States to imperial Athens, the Roman and British empires, and asked to make judgements on the differences between these powers. The seminar session will give students the opportunity to voice their own opinions on empires, in particular with regard to the question ‘Is the United States an imperial power, and if so, is Britain a client state?’
Further discussions will revolve around the idea of whether we are better off in a unipolar world (i.e. dominated by the United States or another single power), or if the rise of alternative powers (such as China and the European Union) and emergence of a multipolar world is a positive thing.
Finally students will be asked to make their own predictions about the future of international relations and power politics over the next decade.
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