US Imperialism: Empire Of Consumption (Summary)

Imperialism, meaning militarily stronger nations dominating and exploiting weaker ones. It has been a prominent feature of the international system for centuries. This is coming to an end. Overwhelming majorities in numerous countries now condemn it.

However, there have been some observers who believe it promotes 'stability'. Countries like the United States still vigorously debate the pros and cons of America's continuing military hegemony over much of the globe. The sole remaining multinational empire on earth.

Imperialism's current decline began in 1991 with the disintegration of the former Soviet Union and the collapse of its empire. The United States now seems to be the last of a dying species. Change is in the air as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have made clear, the United States is increasingly stressed by the demands of maintaining its empire through its own military resources.

The characteristic form of US power outside its territory is not colonial, or indirect rule within a colonial framework of direct control, but a system of satellite or compliant states. In this sense America behaves more like the Soviet empire in Europe after World War II than the British or French empires of the 19th century. The US project it's power through it's network of overseas bases.

The purpose of US overseas bases is to maintain US dominance in the world, and to reinforce what is called maintaining the 'empire of consumption.' The United States possesses less than 5 percent of global population but consumes about one-quarter of all global resources, including petroleum. The US empire exists so they can exploit a much greater share of the world's wealth than they are entitled to, and to prevent other nations from combining against them to take their rightful share.

Some nations have, however, started to balk at America's military presence and large majorities in numerous countries are now strongly anti-American. The US faces popular protests against its bases in numerous countries. Disputes over military pollution and the handling of soldiers suspected of crimes have led to widespread resentment of US troop presence. All overseas US bases create tensions with the people forced to live in their shadow.

Like all empires of the past, the American version is destined to come to an end, either voluntarily or of necessity. When that will occur is impossible to foretell, but the pressures of America's massive indebtedness, the growing contradiction between the needs of its civilian economy and its military-industrial complex strongly indicate an empire built on fragile foundations.

Over the next few years, resistance to America's military overtures is likely to grow, meaning the agenda of national politics will be increasingly dominated by issues of empire liquidation, peacefully or otherwise.