BBC on the U.S.: Age of Empire

[ze_dscherman]

America: An empire to rival Rome?

In a new six-part series entitled Age of Empire, the BBC's Jonathan Marcus sets out on a journey to examine America's place in the modern world.

"America has no empire to extend or utopia to establish. We wish for others only what we wish for ourselves - safety from violence, the rewards of liberty, and the hope for a better life."

So declared President George Bush in the traditional graduation address at the US Military academy at West Point in June 2002.

But despite his insistence that the US has no imperial ambitions, the word "empire" is increasingly used by academics and pundits alike when talking about America's role in the world.

We thought long and hard about the title for this series. Would Age of Empire prejudge the issue? Is America really in any sense an empire like Ancient Rome or Victorian Britain?

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3430199.stm

[madrchsod]

1. i`ve been thinking about this

for the last several months and i`ve come to the conclusion that it`s not like the roman empire or the British empire. these empires brought about fundamental changes undeveloped societies they conquered. the united states is closer to a third world dictatorship with a huge military used to intimidate. unfortunately for the united states the war is being fought on economic alliances not military domination

[reprehensor]

2. Thanks for Posting!

Woulda missed that.

[Merrick]

3. that is

bound to fall as long as the decadent and callous rich continue to cannibalize the middle class consumer base, environment, etc. Roman Empire style...