DEAD MEN WALKING :

Imperial America and the Common Interest (James Chace, Winter 2002, World Policy Journal)

[The] inclination to act unilaterally, stemming from the traditional American preference to define the national interest without the constraint of allies, has only been strengthened by America's economic and military prowess. With such power undergirded by a belief in America's moral exceptionalism, the most dangerous threat to American omnipotence may very well come about as a result of the alienation of Europe and Japan, and the wariness of China and Russia. The duration of the American imperium will thus depend on our ability to seek common ends with potential rivals. In this respect, we have more to fear from our own mistakes than from those enemies who are now determined to bring us down.

It would be helpful if prior to this statement Mr. Chace hadn't already shown that these places aren't capable of challenging our power or if he could show why it makes sense to tie our fortunes to the dying states of Europe and Japan. Posted by Orrin Judd at June 29, 2002 8:18 AM