Assessing the extent of the American empire

[scarletghoul]

I'm never sure which countries are included in the american empire. It seems there are some dominated militarily, some economically, some directly politically, and some a mixture. There is no agreed definition, so it can be confusing.

What, in your oppinion, forms the american empire? It would be cool if you could post or link to some lists or even maps

[Communist Theory]

Well, I think you can probally include Iraq into that equation.

[mykittyhasaboner]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/US_military_bases_in_the_world.svg

[scarletghoul]

Not sure how accurate that is- it says there are no american troops in South Korea :lol: Unless my computer is displaying incorrectly
but thanks

Anyway I was hoping someone could mention non-military dimensions of american empirialism. Obviously not every country with american troops in is fully controlled by america, it also depends on the economic dependence and stuff. as well as formal political links

[Kassad]

Okay...

If you are truly convinced that the extent of the American empire only extends to the lengths where the United States has military forces, I'm incredibly sorry that someone managed to convince you of this ridiculous assertion. If you have any grasp of imperialism, you should realize that the economic aspects of imperialism are the most relevant and potentially dangerous forms of economic and social manipulation. The United States has an economic empire that branches across the world. They use deregulation and free trade to manipulate countries of the world.

As the bourgeoisie in the United States are able to manipulate the system, they use their financial clout to manipulate the resources of other nations. This can come in the form of covert operations and deals that go on behind the curtain. In fact, I am convinced that the use of the armed forces is only 'necessary,' in their eyes, when their other forms of economic manipulation and exploitation fail. The military is only used when these other forms of exploitation don't finish the job.

So where does the empire end? It doesn't. Any nation, community or household across the globe is susceptible to American imperialism. American corporations will do anything they can to gain access to an abundance of resources, such as oil in the Middle East and South America. Unfortunately, most of this manipulation goes on behind closed doors and we will likely never hear a word about an immense amount of it.

Therefore, it's incredibly simplistic to view imperialism as just the United States occupying a country. The preying claws of the bourgeoisie elite are always poised to strike; everywhere; at any time.

[brigadista]

Not sure how accurate that is- it says there are no american troops in South Korea :lol: Unless my computer is displaying incorrectly
but thanks

Anyway I was hoping someone could mention non-military dimensions of american empirialism. Obviously not every country with american troops in is fully controlled by america, it also depends on the economic dependence and stuff. as well as formal political links

you are ignoring american cultural imperialism- McDonalds in Moscow....

[mykittyhasaboner]

Not sure how accurate that is- it says there are no american troops in South Korea :lol: Unless my computer is displaying incorrectly
but thanks

That's strange, why the hell would the leave out South Korea?!? I didn't even notice that.

[Dr.Claw]

What about the carribean or panama or any other place that the gov. calls "common wealth"? could you consider them a part of the empire?

[mykittyhasaboner]

What about the carribean or panama or any other place that the gov. calls "common wealth"? could you consider them a part of the empire?

As Kassad already answered this question in his last paragraph, all nations are victim to American imperialism. This is true ten fold in the Caribbean islands were the US government has exploited vast amounts of resources and labor.