America’s Empire Building: A Critical Examination of Claims

Introduction

The claim under scrutiny is that "America is useless at empire building and has failed to create robust democracies in the societies they have infected, invaded, and or destroyed," contrasting this with historical examples of Britain and Rome, which allegedly propagated a semblance of civilization. This assertion raises questions about the effectiveness of American foreign policy and its historical legacy in comparison to other empires.

What We Know

1. Historical Context of American Empire: The United States has engaged in various forms of imperialism, from territorial expansion in the 19th century to military interventions in the 20th and 21st centuries. Scholars argue that the U.S. often pursued its interests under the guise of promoting democracy and civilization, similar to past empires like Britain and Rome 13.

2. Comparative Analysis with Britain and Rome: The British Empire is often credited with establishing systems of governance that, in some cases, led to stable democracies in former colonies. In contrast, critics argue that U.S. interventions, such as in Iraq and Afghanistan, have led to instability rather than democratic governance 710. The Roman Empire, while also criticized for its imperial practices, is noted for its significant contributions to governance and law that have influenced modern democracies 46.

3. Failures and Successes of American Interventions: The U.S. has faced significant challenges in nation-building efforts. For instance, the aftermath of the Iraq War saw a rise in sectarian violence and instability, which many attribute to poor planning and execution of post-war governance 8. However, there are also instances where U.S. interventions have led to more stable governments, such as in Japan after World War II 9.

Analysis

The claim that America is "useless at empire building" is complex and requires a nuanced examination of both historical and contemporary contexts.

• Source Reliability: Many sources discussing the effectiveness of American empire-building come from academic journals and reputable publications. For example, the BBC article discusses parallels between the U.S. and Rome, providing a historical perspective that is generally well-regarded for its scholarly rigor 3. However, some sources, such as those from international policy blogs, may exhibit bias or lack rigorous peer review, which can affect their reliability 59.

• Methodological Concerns: The comparisons drawn between the U.S., Britain, and Rome often rely on selective historical narratives that may overlook the complexities of each empire's legacy. For instance, while the British Empire is often lauded for its contributions to democracy, it also engaged in exploitative practices that led to significant suffering in colonized nations 10. Similarly, the U.S. has faced criticism for its interventions, yet some argue that these actions were motivated by a genuine desire to promote democracy, albeit with mixed results 8.

• Conflicts of Interest: Some commentators may have vested interests in promoting a particular narrative about American foreign policy, whether it be to criticize or defend it. This can lead to biased interpretations of historical events and their outcomes 710.

• Diverse Perspectives: There are scholars who argue that the U.S. has indeed succeeded in certain aspects of nation-building, citing examples of democratic transitions in various countries. Conversely, others emphasize the failures and unintended consequences of U.S. actions abroad, suggesting a pattern of instability following interventions 46.

What Additional Information Would Be Helpful

To fully evaluate the claim, further research could focus on:

• Longitudinal Studies: Comprehensive studies that track the long-term outcomes of U.S. interventions compared to those of Britain and Rome would provide a clearer picture of success and failure.
• Case Studies: In-depth analyses of specific interventions, including both successful and unsuccessful examples, could illuminate the factors that contribute to effective nation-building.
• Public Opinion: Understanding how the populations of affected countries perceive U.S. interventions and their outcomes could provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of American empire-building efforts.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The assertion that "America is useless at empire building" is partially true, as it reflects a complex reality characterized by both successes and failures in U.S. foreign interventions. Evidence suggests that while the U.S. has struggled to establish stable democracies in certain contexts—most notably in Iraq and Afghanistan—there are also instances, such as in Japan post-World War II, where American efforts have contributed to democratic governance.

However, this verdict is nuanced by the recognition that comparisons with historical empires like Britain and Rome are fraught with complexities. Each empire's legacy includes both positive and negative outcomes, and the effectiveness of American interventions cannot be generalized without considering specific historical contexts and the diverse perspectives surrounding them.

It is important to acknowledge the limitations of the available evidence, as much of the analysis relies on selective narratives and may be influenced by the biases of commentators. As such, readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider multiple viewpoints when assessing claims about the effectiveness of American empire-building efforts.

Sources

1. Building an American Empire: The Era of Territorial and Political Expansion. Princeton University Press
2. Rome's Influence on American Democracy. Academia.edu
3. Empires of Absent Mind: Rome and the USA. BBC History
4. Lessons in the Decline of Democracy From the Ruined Roman Republic. Smithsonian Magazine
5. Decline of Empire: Parallels Between the U.S. and Rome, Part I. International Man
6. From Republic to Empire: How Rome's fall foreshadows the future of American democracy. Milwaukee Independent
7. Former Empires and Comparative Analysis. Global Policy
8. Is the American Empire Really Rome? Foreign Policy
9. Imperial Pathologies - Comparing America to Rome and Britain. Progress Pond
10. British and American empire: patterns of power. openDemocracy