Dilemmas of Domination: The Unmaking of the American Empire

American Empire Project

by Walden F. Bello

From the acclaimed globalization critic, a far-reaching analysis of America's military, economic, and political vulnerabilityThe empire seems unassailable, but the empire is weak-and precisely because of its imperial ambitions. So argues Walden Bello's provocative new book, which systematically dissects the strategic, economic, and political dilemmas confronting America as a consequence of its quest for global domination.An award-winning development expert, Bello shows how despite the enormity of the U.S. defense budget, American forces are already overextended, a condition bound to intensify as each local "victory" breeds simmering resistance and new confrontation. He points to the empire's looming economic breakdown, the result of its gargantuan military costs, record-breaking deficits, and exploitative trade and investment relations with developing countries. On the political front, he warns of the bitter disillusionment mounting around the world in response to America's failure to champion liberal democracy. Everywhere America goes, crony capitalism, hostile coercion, and gross inequalities in income eat away at expectations of justice and inclusion.A clear and prophetic examination, Dilemmas of Domination reveals a not-too-distant future in which the empire's hidden weaknesses will yield fatal challenges to American supremacy.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, American, American History, Philosophy, History

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 4, 2005

Reviews

[Gary McGugan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very interesting to read this book for the first time 20 years after it was first published. Walden Bello brings a unique perspective from the Philippines. Some of his forecasts proved wrong, but his basic premise about democracy in the USA seems quite accurate. Given the turmoil underway this week, it will be interesting to see if he was even more prescient!

[Newfazlo]

Good so far.