The last 15 years, the period after the surprising and precipitous decline of the Soviet Union and the international structure of bipolarity saw another discussion of the future development of the international system. Some predicted that an ever declining America will be balanced by aspiring middle sized powers or new alliances; others foresaw a peaceful future in an America-dominated unipolar system due to the vast gap in the capabilities of the US and its closest pursuers. Whatever stand one made, one question remained and still remains central to an assessment of the future development of the international system: the role of the United States of America.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Section 1 - Empire defined
- Section 2 - The quest for and the indispensability of order - Is there an empire?
- Section 3 - Mastering globalisation – the case for an “American” empire
- Section 4 - Who wants to be an emperor? – When the will to power meets reality
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay explores the concept of empire in the context of the contemporary international system, particularly focusing on the role of the United States. The essay examines the various types of empires, the need for order in an imperial system, and the question of whether the United States is truly an "emperor" or merely part of a larger imperial structure.
- Defining and classifying empires
- The role of order in imperial structures
- The question of an "American" empire
- The relationship between imperial agent and structure
- The future of the international system
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Section 1 - Empire defined: This section defines the term "empire" by examining four different forms of dominion: formal empire, informal empire, suzerainty, and hegemony. It emphasizes the distinction between form and reality in the exercise of imperial power, drawing on Michael Doyle's framework.
- Section 2 - The quest for and the indispensability of order - Is there an empire?: This section argues that the defining characteristic of an empire is not just control, but the establishment of a specific kind of order. This order involves both a physical and a metaphysical dimension, encompassing spatial organization and a set of dominant norms and values.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay focuses on the concept of empire, exploring the characteristics, types, and consequences of imperial structures in the international system. It specifically examines the role of the United States and the question of whether it constitutes an "American empire" or merely operates within a larger imperial framework. Key concepts include formal and informal empire, suzerainty, hegemony, order, and the agent-structure relationship.
- Quote paper
- Torsten Michel (Author), 2004, Empire without an Emperor. America's inability to rule the world and its consequences., Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/25720
