The relationship between war and empire remains deeply intertwined. From the echoes of past conquests to the contemporary realities of American influence, war has served as the midwife to empire and its enforcer.
The intertwined history of war and empire stretches back millennia, each fueling the other in a relentless cycle of conquest and domination. From Cyrus the Great's Persian Empire to the vast expanse of the British Empire, the echo of war drums has reverberated across the globe, marking the brutal expansion of empires and the subjugation of diverse peoples. However, the United States, despite wielding immense power, presents a unique case within this historical tapestry, deviating from traditional notions of empire in significant ways.
Throughout history, the definition of empire has remained largely consistent: a vast political unit encompassing multiple territories and peoples under a single sovereign authority. Emperors, kings, and rulers of various titles commanded obedience and instilled fear, demanding worship and respect while wielding violence against dissenters. This insatiable hunger for expansion fueled the practice of colonialism, a brutal process marked by destruction, murder, rape, enslavement, and cultural erasure.
The soldier, an indispensable component of this imperial machinery, became not just a symbol of dominion but also a potent tool for enforcing colonial subjugation. Once conquered, territories were subjected to various forms of governance, often leading to the formation of three distinct groups within the subjugated population: rebels, those who submitted, and the chosen few co-opted into the administrative apparatus of the empire. This process of transforming members of conquered communities into instruments of their own subjugation involved complex manipulations, promises of betterment, and often, the insidious grip of indoctrination.
Despite sharing certain characteristics with empires of the past, the United States presents a distinct deviation from this historical pattern. While undeniably the most powerful nation in the modern world, the term "empire" rarely comes to mind when describing the United States. This unique feature lies in its approach to exercising power. Unlike the Ottoman or Han Dynasties, the United States operates without directly ruling over vast swathes of land and populations.
Instead, the United States wields its influence subtly, through the overwhelming power of its economic system and the omnipresent reach of its military. The dollar reigns supreme as the global currency, with the American capitalist engine driving the world's economic machinery. This economic dominance, as Robert Laxer astutely points out, serves "the promotion of a system of relatively unregulated free enterprise" that allows for the unimpeded flow of capital and the unfettered access of multinational corporations to resources and markets across the globe.
Underpinning this economic dominance lies the formidable American military, its presence felt across the globe. From sprawling military bases strategically positioned around the world to the patrolling of crucial sea lanes, the American soldier ensures the smooth operation of the American empire – an empire that thrives not on direct control but on unobstructed influence and the freedom to operate unhindered. This unique approach, though less overt than the empires of the past, nonetheless casts a long shadow, shaping the world order according to American interests, even at the expense of others.
In conclusion, the relationship between war and empire remains deeply intertwined. From the echoes of past conquests to the contemporary realities of American influence, war has served as the midwife to empire and its enforcer. However, the United States, in its deviation from traditional forms of empire building, presents a compelling case for further study and exploration, inviting us to reexamine the very definition of empire and its enduring impact on the global landscape.