America's Inadvertent Empire [Hardcover]

Gen. William E. Odom (Author), Robert Dujarric (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 10, 2004

The United States finds itself at the centre of a historically unparalleled empire, one that is wealth-generating and voluntary rather than imperialistic, say the authors of this compelling book. William Odom and Robert Dujarric examine America's unprecedented power within the international arenas of politics, economics, demographics, education, science, and culture. They argue persuasively that the major threat to this unique empire is ineffective U.S. leadership, not a rising rival power centre. America cannot simply behave as an ordinary sovereign state, Odom and Dujarric contend. They describe the responsibilities that accompany staggering power advantages and explain that resorting to unilateralism makes sense only when it becomes necessary to overcome paralysis in multilateral organisations. The authors also offer insights into the importance of liberal international institutions as a source of power, why international cooperation pays, and why spreading democracy often inhibits the spread of constitutional order. If the United States uses its own power constructively, the authors conclude, the American empire will flourish for a long time.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Like Jim Garrison (see above), these two policy experts recognize that the United States has risen to such unprecedented levels on all fronts that no other nation or even alliance of nations can counterbalance its power. But unlike Garrison, who wants the U.S. to create a global society, Odom (former head of the National Security Agency) and Dujarric (a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations) envision "strong prospects for sustaining the American empire for a very long time." The tone is cautiously pragmatic, calling for the preservation of Liberal (with a capital L) institutions that will propagate American values and urging political leaders not to overreact to terrorism, which they deem "a tactic, not an enemy."
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Review

". . . the best, most comprehensive account of sources of American power. . . . valuable focus on . . . demography, education, . . . media and mass culture." -- Carnes Lord, Claremount Review of Books

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (March 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300100698
• ISBN-13: 978-0300100693
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,444,955 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A look at America"s worldwide supremacy, February 23, 2006

By 

Joan M. Swan (Lexington, NC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: America's Inadvertent Empire (Yale Nota Bene) (Paperback)

This book does a brillint job of showing why the liberal institutions in the US give us the flexibility to dominate economically, educationall and in the media. It also goes into the prominent role the US plays in maintaining the inernational order. The book also claims that a strong militay and worldwide bases play an important role in peventing international anarchy. The case is made that the US empire is a voluntary one and that our alliances are essenial to maintining our dominence and international order. This is one of the very best and shortest book I have read on the question of the US empire.

4 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative book full of FACTS, October 15, 2005

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B. Smythe (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: America's Inadvertent Empire (Hardcover)

This book basically dispells all the talk of weakness, in reference to Ameica, that we hear these days. The beginning is a little slow, but once you get into the topic chapters it becomes more interesting.
The authors point out that terrorism is a tactic. President Bush just started mentioning this in the last few months. However, the book has been out for a while.
The book is very good for international relations and political science folks. It is a very good book to pull facts out for your papers, research, and general education on the subject.