Pakistani,
After sleeping on it last night and savoring my college winning it's basketball game in the annual American rite of spring I have these thoughts on "American Imperialism". By and large I think that it is not true.
Reasons:
When asked to leave a country we do. Examples from recent history include the Philipines bases and our re-deployment at Okinawa. Lets not forget about the Panama Canal.
We generally don't impose our will by force of arms unless there is a dire humanitarian crisis (Bosnia, Somalia, Kosovo) or our national interest is effected (Grenada, Panama, Kuwait).
Telling our opinion and promoting our business and culture is not an imperialistic effort despite what many people say. That is part of the general interaction of geo-politics, business and cultural exchanges. It has happened from the beginning of time and will continue.
One other thing I want you to think of. Don't respond immediately but think on it. You said earlier that you thought the "Clash of Civilizations" was garbage. Yet in your post about American imperialism you spoke of a Pan Islamic nation/confederacy. This longing would fall into what Huntington would call a culture clash.
Think about it and respond. Meanwhile I am off to work to pump up the Gross National Product of the U.S.
Jeff |