Is America an empire?

[BabyPiglet]

Your thoughts?

Why/why not?

 

[imabrat]

Taken from dictionary.com:
em⋅pire
   –noun
1. a group of nations or peoples ruled over by an emperor, empress, or other powerful sovereign or government: usually a territory of greater extent than a kingdom, as the former British Empire, French Empire, Russian Empire, Byzantine Empire, or Roman Empire.

I wouldn't think so.
Oh, and just for anyone who knows, I-Empire anyone? (;

 

[Axel]

America is totally an empire. We had a great debate on this topic in my APUSH class last year. I'll see if I can dig up some of my argument.

While the government may not outwardly admit to any "territorial ambitions", they're there. We've got a tendency to stick our nose in places it doesn't belong and generally, it's to try and shape another place into a mini-America. We attacked Vietnam because we wanted to make them a capitalistic, democratic society (that worked well... ). We invaded Iraq for different reasons, but now we're staying to set up a democratic society that doesn't mesh with the beliefs of the Iraqi people- but that mesh perfectly with the views of most Americans.

As for the direct definition, America is a nation ruled by a very powerful central government whose lands stretch far beyond the continent of North America. We have territories in Guam, Puerto Rico, the Philippenes, along with military bases in countless other places.

And even if we're not an empire, we've definately got imperialistic tendencies. The article I had to read for this debate is here.

 

[imabrat]

I'll admit, I don't know much about this topic. I was just basing my thought on that definition. To be an empire, do you have to be 100% imperialistic? That was probably a stupid question, I know what imperialism is but not much about empires.

If being imperialistic means being an empire, than we're an empire, just without the title. Don't we "own" Guam, The Philippenes, Puerto Rico, and Samoa as territories? Hawaii was also a country until it became a state when we took over.

 

[Axel]

I'll admit, I don't know much about this topic. I was just basing my thought on that definition. To be an empire, do you have to be 100% imperialistic? That was probably a stupid question, I know what imperialism is but not much about empires.

If being imperialistic means being an empire, than we're an empire, just without the title. Don't we "own" Guam, The Philippenes, Puerto Rico, and Samoa as territories? Hawaii was also a country until it became a state when we took over.

The details expressly regarding the status of our territories are very complicated. And yes, if you inlude Hawaii, America has conquered foreign lands. But that's a big stretch. Although, California was a republic and Texas was a country before either of them joined the US.

 

[wdwllamadancer]

Taken from dictionary.com:
em⋅pire
   –noun
1. a group of nations or peoples ruled over by an emperor, empress, or other powerful sovereign or government: usually a territory of greater extent than a kingdom, as the former British Empire, French Empire, Russian Empire, Byzantine Empire, or Roman Empire.

I wouldn't think so.
Oh, and just for anyone who knows, I-Empire anyone? (;

I think of an empire as what the definition is so I don't really think America is an empire either. If we had another country, then maybe or if our territories we seperate countries that we took over.

and if I could live in I-Empire, I so would XD

 

[chisnpeke]

We are by far the wealthiest nation in the world. Our military is the strongest in the world. I don't think anyone really realizes just how powerful this country is in terms of everything. I think whether that is a good or bad thing depends on how you look at it.

It's pretty close to being an empire. It doesn't follow the definition but it's an extremely powerful country.

 

[chisnpeke]

I'll admit, I don't know much about this topic. I was just basing my thought on that definition. To be an empire, do you have to be 100% imperialistic? That was probably a stupid question, I know what imperialism is but not much about empires.

If being imperialistic means being an empire, than we're an empire, just without the title. Don't we "own" Guam, The Philippenes, Puerto Rico, and Samoa as territories? Hawaii was also a country until it became a state when we took over.

Yes, we own Puerto Rico, Guam and American Samoa. We no longer own the Philippines. Actually Puerto Ricans are American citizens, but they can't vote. We also have islands in the Caribbean such as some of the Virgin Islands. There are the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands, which are owned by the British.

 

[BabyPiglet]

America is totally an empire. We had a great debate on this topic in my APUSH class last year. I'll see if I can dig up some of my argument.

While the government may not outwardly admit to any "territorial ambitions", they're there. We've got a tendency to stick our nose in places it doesn't belong and generally, it's to try and shape another place into a mini-America. We attacked Vietnam because we wanted to make them a capitalistic, democratic society (that worked well... ). We invaded Iraq for different reasons, but now we're staying to set up a democratic society that doesn't mesh with the beliefs of the Iraqi people- but that mesh perfectly with the views of most Americans.

As for the direct definition, America is a nation ruled by a very powerful central government whose lands stretch far beyond the continent of North America. We have territories in Guam, Puerto Rico, the Philippenes, along with military bases in countless other places.

And even if we're not an empire, we've definately got imperialistic tendencies. The article I had to read for this debate is here.

We had a debate about this (we were talking about the assyrians) in my civ. class, so that's what fueled my questions.

I'm going to say yes, in ways we are. We're an economical and cultural empire, no doubt about it. And up until recently, we were 'officially' expanding our borders.

The US is the most powerful superpower in the world. We fuel other economies, our cultural influences are seen everywhere, and we have troops stationed in almost every country.

Maybe not in the texbook definition of the word, but we're definitely an empire.

 

[Sparx]

"imperalism" is basically the way to 100% describe our history.

 

[MushuGirl06]

I would say we were an empire before but not so much anymore. No body looks up to us anymore; after what george bush and dick cheney did they have a right too. they started the war just because they wanted to leave a legacy in their presidency and they thought they could win but obviously we have not yet. this is not the only reason why i feel we are not an empire thats just one of many.

 

[chisnpeke]

I would say we were an empire before but not so much anymore. No body looks up to us anymore; after what george bush and dick cheney did they have a right too. they started the war just because they wanted to leave a legacy in their presidency and they thought they could win but obviously we have not yet. this is not the only reason why i feel we are not an empire thats just one of many.

What they did didn't make us less powerful. People might not have liked us because of them but in terms of power it didn't change. The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of the United States is far higher than any other nation. We have the most powerful military. We've been this way since WWI and WWII.

 

[BabyPiglet]

I would say we were an empire before but not so much anymore. No body looks up to us anymore; after what george bush and dick cheney did they have a right too. they started the war just because they wanted to leave a legacy in their presidency and they thought they could win but obviously we have not yet. this is not the only reason why i feel we are not an empire thats just one of many.

People might not have liked our actions, but they still respect us. We are the biggest consumers of the world. We use the most oil, and the most amount of outside product. We import almost everything that this country runs on.

If we were not here, the economy would to (even more, lol) hell.

And our power shows in other ways. See that Starbucks in Japan? McDonalds in Germany? Westernization is everywhere.

The US is a superpower that, most believe, runs this world.

 

[CrazySteph]

I dont have any arguments, or examples.. but in my opinion, America is an Empire.

 

[bananda]

not meaning to offend anyone but i heard last night that china is actually one of the wealthiest nations and america is one of the biggest borrowers in the world.

 

[chisnpeke]

not meaning to offend anyone but i heard last night that china is actually one of the wealthiest nations and america is one of the biggest borrowers in the world.

No offense taken. I don't know why anyone would be actually.

America is a huge borrower. We have a ton of debt. That goes along with being the wealthiest nation. And you're correct, China is a very rich nation. India is also coming into its own as a wealthy nation and is growing a lot and might one day surpass the US one day.

I find it sad that we use most of the world's oil yet we are not the top population wise. We had a president that denied for almost 8 years that there was a crisis and we needed to invest in alternative energy. It was only 2 years ago that George W. Bush finally "admitted" that global warming was a real issue. Bush's environmental policies really pissed me off.

It's just in terms of the amount of money we have and military power, we are the most powerful. I also think a lot of Americans think that the only right way is the "American" way and other countries don't matter as much. I always thought it was "American" to be accepting of other cultures and ideologies.

 

[Axel]

not meaning to offend anyone but i heard last night that china is actually one of the wealthiest nations and america is one of the biggest borrowers in the world.

None taken, though there's nothing there to be offended by.

The US is incredibly in debt- and most of our debt is owed to China who has "bought" our debt.

Someday, the Chinese are going to take over the world.

 

[BabyPiglet]

No offense taken. I don't know why anyone would be actually.

America is a huge borrower. We have a ton of debt. That goes along with being the wealthiest nation. And you're correct, China is a very rich nation. India is also coming into its own as a wealthy nation and is growing a lot and might one day surpass the US one day.

I find it sad that we use most of the world's oil yet we are not the top population wise. We had a president that denied for almost 8 years that there was a crisis and we needed to invest in alternative energy. It was only 2 years ago that George W. Bush finally "admitted" that global warming was a real issue. Bush's environmental policies really pissed me off.

It's just in terms of the amount of money we have and military power, we are the most powerful. I also think a lot of Americans think that the only right way is the "American" way and other countries don't matter as much. I always thought it was "American" to be accepting of other cultures and ideologies.

Every country thinks like that.

 

[MrsSparrow..]

not meaning to offend anyone but i heard last night that china is actually one of the wealthiest nations and america is one of the biggest borrowers in the world.

It is true; many previously LEDC's are rising up and will most likely take over America's status as a 'superpower', if you want to call it that.

I personally wouldn't call America an empire. I understand what people are saying about its influence on the world socially and economically, but I would call it just that, a great influence. For me, an empire is territorial, but I totally get what some of you guys mean.


I do feel that America has a great influence over the world, and I really hope not to offend many people here, but I would say a few groups of American society wouldn't know where to place certain countries on a map or know of many other cultures, for example once I watched a video on YouTube where an American woman didn't know what language people in England spoke. I know that one person doesn't represent the entire population, but in other countries this is actually how people view 'american society' and yes, they understand they greatly influence their culture (and despite what some may think, do retain their culture) but consequently don't always respect the people. (sorry if that went off tangent slightly)

I mean, we have people in Britain who don't know where Canada or China is!! And even then, we have people in England who can't locate Scotland :l

Woooow, I went off topic there lol, but just looking at some of the random arguments bought up in this thread.

Every country thinks like that.

I agree.

 

[chisnpeke]

It is true; many previously LEDC's are rising up and will most likely take over America's status as a 'superpower', if you want to call it that.

I personally wouldn't call America an empire. I understand what people are saying about its influence on the world socially and economically, but I would call it just that, a great influence. For me, an empire is territorial, but I totally get what some of you guys mean.


I do feel that America has a great influence over the world, and I really hope not to offend many people here, but I would say a few groups of American society wouldn't know where to place certain countries on a map or know of many other cultures, for example once I watched a video on YouTube where an American woman didn't know what language people in England spoke. I know that one person doesn't represent the entire population, but in other countries this is actually how people view 'american society' and yes, they understand they greatly influence their culture (and despite what some may think, do retain their culture) but consequently don't always respect the people. (sorry if that went off tangent slightly)

I mean, we have people in Britain who don't know where Canada or China is!! And even then, we have people in England who can't locate Scotland :l

Woooow, I went off topic there lol, but just looking at some of the random arguments bought up in this thread.




I agree.

I believe it. I've seen so many dumb people not know just basic facts about their own country, I wouldn't expect them to know where England is! That would be way too much to ask of them.

Some people don't know who the president is. On a show I watch, The Tonight Show, the host does this thing called Jaywalking and asks people basic questions like "Who is the vice president?" and these people have no clue or say something stupid like "George Washington?"


This is the epitome of stupid. How do people get through school and life in general?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WALIARHHLII&feature=related

Like Judge Judy says...beauty is temporary, stupid is forever. I would have been laughing so hard at her if I was the host holding that microphone up.

ETA: The people who don't know what language people in England speak are at the same level of stupidity as the people who think people from Mexico speak Mexican.