America as Empire: Global Leader or Rogue Power?

America as Empire: Global Leader or Rogue Power?

Jim Garrison

Jim Garrison's book addresses a poignant theme faced by American culture today. Garrison explains that America must tread carefully in the present as to avoid crossing the fine line of acting as a "global leader" and acting as a "rogue power." To begin with, I found it necessary to look up the word 'rogue,' which dictionary.com defines as "vicious and solitary," clearly a negative term. This being established, Garrison is attempting to address what it is that would make a country appear to be overbearing, overly aggressive and power hungry rather than as a respected, admired superpower.

Contrary to my belief upon picking up the book, Garrison quickly enlightened me to the other option. I had never thought of America as a "rogue power." However, after giving it a few thoughts, and having Garrison's input on the matter, it seems quite apparent that America has in fact become a rogue power. America, which was once seen as a picture-perfect place where dreams could be achieved and freedom be found, has indeed become a dominant solo power. It is the unmatched superpower of the world, unmatched by any foreign nation since the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, I found it quite strange to see in such black and white print, an assertion of America as a ruthless master in commander. Though the charm of living in America is that we have the ability and the freedom to criticize whatever we feel, it is rare for me to encounter an American with such a seemingly un-American point of view. Never the less is was quite informative.

I also agree with Garrison that the principles and practices upon which America was founded 225 years ago have drastically changed. Garrison stated that America "used to represent freedom. It now represents power." After reading that, I was forced to take a step back and really consider that statement. To my own dismay I could not think of any grounds to disprove this statement. I found it quite disheartening to suddenly realize that America had in all essences of the word, had come to define the word "power."

Garrison examines what makes a nation considered to be a republic, verses what makes a nation considered to be a republic. If a republic implies a democratically run single nation, then that term cannot completely apply to America. Though the way we govern ourselves may be democratically, internationally we can be viewed as nothing other than an empire, case and point - Iraq. America took it upon itself to use its force and power to enter into another foreign territory and declare that an American democracy is what shall be implemented. One thing I did disagree with Garrison about is his claim that once the metamorphosis from republic into empire is underwent, there is no turning back. I'd like to thin that we can in fact. It seems perfectly reasonable to me that if we can find a way to meticulously utilize our power correctly in beneficial ways, then the return to a republic would be possible. After all, Rome was a great empire, but even Rome fell, so I think if we do not want to face the same fate as Rome it is imperative