The imperial temptation has been a constant feature of the power of the United States of America since the late nineteenth century. Beyond the myth of isolationism, the United States of America has been consistently driven by the desire to shape the world order, by an extraordinary capacity to project its power, and by a conviction in its own historic mission.
But is this a form of classical imperialism? Or, rather, a persistent temptation toward global hegemony? Unlike the great empires of the past, the United States of America has not officially extended its borders beyond the territory defined in 1959, with the admission of Hawaii. And yet, its political, military, economic, and cultural influence has long extended far beyond its own frontiers.
This book explores the paradox of a superpower that has dominated the world without declaring itself an empire, and that continues to oscillate between democratic ideals and a fascination with global power.