The United States is the sole global superpower in the world, seconded by the fact that its currency is the premier currency being utilized for global trade, in addition to the fact that America has military bases upon many other so-called sovereign nations, all over the world, excepting those that are considered to be its enemies or foes, of which it could be said that the sun never sets on the American empire. That said, though, as much as we might wish to believe that American influence and power comes through its export of democratic ideals, freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all, the fact of the matter is, that America’s influence is only infrequently done through diplomacy, but for the most part, it is done through its might, demonstrated, for instance, through its economic power to impose unwelcomed terms upon recalcitrant nations, as well as the intimidation factor demonstrated by its unparalleled military might, which America will utilize as it best sees fit, justified or not.
One would think that the most important thing for American governance would simply be to take care of its own, and let the world run itself, but that isn’t the way that it is, for after Great Britain’s empire ceased to exist, soon after World War II, America took upon itself to carry that mantle, and has not relinquished it. It would be one thing if, in taking upon itself that responsibility, America made it to be its point to use diplomatic means to resolve differences between nations and principalities and to thereby treat other nations with the respect and consideration that they deserve; but that isn’t the American way, for America has proven that it isn’t so much interested in simply carrying a big stick, but rather prefers to use it, in which those who feel the pain of that stick must submit or be annihilated. Yet, by doing so, America has made the same cardinal error that every other empire has made, which is to build resentment and to breed discontent throughout its empire, which will mean that there will come that inconvenient time when the chickens will surely come home to roost.
So too, as much as America desires to believe that those that are its allies, will always have their back, and appreciate everything that America represents and does; America though has failed to acknowledge that those that are in subservient positions are going to say and act in a manner that will appease the powers that be, which does not mean that when push comes to shove that they will be so loyal or acquiescent. As it stands today, America is an empire, but that empire is fraying around the edges, not only because America runs massive federal deficits, but also because it runs roughshod over too many other nations, friend or foe, which is surely going to exact a heavy price to pay, for there are plenty of nations and peoples that are only too willing to push back, when the time is right, and their corresponding chance of success is good.