Alan Wolfe: US no empire

[Peter K.]

Alan Wolfe:
>... For many years, Americans have resisted any expensive and long-lasting
>involvement with countries whose ways of life are thoroughly unfamiliar. We
>resist an imperial role for America not because we are humanitarians and
>internationalists but because we are stingy with our government and lack
>genuine interest in the rest of the world. Our best defenses against empire,
>as it turns out, lie not in our virtues but in our vices.
>
><http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/321/focus/The_phantom_empire+.shtml>

Except of course there's Israel and the foreign aid we give them. And the
Treasury department's assault on Russia. Somewhat larger than the
government is the "market" and its pre-election assault on Brazil.

Wolfe seems to have a somewhat idealized vision of America.

Peter