Strategic Culture and American Empire

In: SAIS Review, Band 25, Heft 2, S. 3-18

Abstract

This article considers the ideational fabric of American empire. Section one discusses why liberal democratic empires are not particularly peaceful. Section two highlights the analytical value of a focus on U.S. strategic culture in explaining U.S. military practice. Section three looks more broadly at the role of identity in giving meaning to the U.S. imperial project & in giving reasons for the use of force in support of it. Throughout, comparisons are made with the British Empire & consideration is given to the meta-theoretical options & methodological challenges for the social science of strategic culture. Adapted from the source document.