Incoherent Empire

Incoherent Empire

by Michael Mann (Author)

Synopsis

In this book noted sociologist Michael Mann argues that the "new American imperialism" is actually a new militarism. Dissecting the military, economic, and political resources of the US, Mann concludes they are so lacking in comparison to earlier empires, and so uneven, as to generate only an incoherent empire and increasing world disorder. The US is a military giant, better at devastating than pacifying countries. It is a political schizophrenic, split between multilateralism, unilateralism, and an actual inability to rule over foreign lands or control its own supposed client states. It is only a back-seat driver of the global economy, not steering but prodding poorer countries toward an unproductive and unpopular neoliberalism. Finally, it is an ideological phantom, proclaiming attractive values of freedom, democracy, and material plenty to the world, which its militarism brutally contradicts. The incoherent Empire is also analysed in action - in Afghanistan, in the war against terrorism, and against 'rogue states', especially North Korea and Iraq. Its strategies seemed doomed only to create more international terrorists and increase the desire of the rogues to acquire weapons of mass destruction; they also provoke a virtual 'crusade' against Muslims. The world will become more and more dangerous, argues Mann, unless the US abandons this trajectory and adopts the more realistic global leadership strategies laid out in this book.

$27.97

Quantity

20+ in stock

More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 278
Edition: Reprint
Publisher: Verso Books
Published: 11 Jul 2005

ISBN 10: 1844675289
ISBN 13: 9781844675289

Media Reviews
Michael Mann applies the framework he developed in his classic work The Sources of Social Power to the American empire. He finds that its economic and ideological foundations are flimsy and that its only real strength is an ability to bully weak Third World countries. The United States wields 'power but not authority' and has succumbed to 'ruthless arrogance leading to overconfidence and hubris.' This is an important, provocative diagnosis by an experienced social analyst. - Chalmers Johnson, author of Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire Amongst contemporary analysts of the new imperialism, Mann is remarkable for his unyielding realism. As he explains in this brilliant but disturbing book, the Stars and Stripes on the Euphrates heralds less a new international order than the dangerously unpredictable reign of the gods of chaos. - Mike Davis
Author Bio
Michael Mann is Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Los Angeles. His major works include the prizewinning series The Sources of Social Power, Volume I: A History of Power from the Beginning to 1760 AD, and Volume II: The Rise of Classes and Nation-States, 1760-1914. He is working on the third volume, Globalizations, which covers the most recent period of world history.