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The Price of America's Empire
Penguin
April 2004
400 pages
ISBN: 1594200130
Hardcover
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Non-Fiction | Non-Fiction Political
Niall Ferguson brings his renowned historical and economic
depth of field to bear on a bold and sweeping reckoning with
America's imperial status and its consequences. 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. Bush maintains that "America has never been an empire."
"We don't seek empires," insists Defense Secretary Rumsfeld.
"We're not imperialistic." Nonsense, says Niall Ferguson. 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. Just
like the British Empire a century ago, the United States
aspires to globalize free markets, the rule of law, and
representative government. In theory it's a good project,
says Ferguson. 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. Ours, he argues, is an empire with an attention
deficit disorder, imposing ever more unrealistic timescales
on its overseas interventions. Worse, it's an empire in
denial-a hyperpower that simply refuses to admit the scale
of its global responsibilities. And the negative
consequences will be felt at home as well as abroad. In an
alarmingly persuasive final chapter Ferguson warns that this
chronic myopia also applies to our domestic
responsibilities. 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.
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