According to Hitchens, the term ‘super-power’ seemed to drawn the thoughts of many colonial masters as they sought to spread their influence in as large a geographical area as possible. This drive for dominance is otherwise referred to as imperialism and was the notion driving colonial powers to seek for influence. It is this fight for power that led to the world wars as well as the Cold war. America, on its part, assumed a neutral position in these matters. However, it got drawn into these issues in one way or another. It gradually got entangled into the imperialism regime.
In Latin America, the U.S sought dominance to an extent that it went to war with Spain while eyeing control over Cuba and Philippines (Solowey, 1). However, looking at the circumstances as at that time, America should not have taken this move. This is mainly due to its experience as a colony under the British. It should have realized that annexing other people’s freedom is not the best move. Though these measures were taken in a bid to protect the interests of the nation, there are other means that could have been used to achieve similar outcome, such as dialogue.
Instead of scrambling for resources as its European counterparts, it should have followed the correct legal processes to achieve its objectives. This is more so because the American constitution calls for democracy. Well, in as much as a colony under the U.S stood better chances of humane treatment, this does not disregard the fact that being taken as a colony is distasteful. Instead, the U.S should have advocated for the humane treatment of all human beings and lead by example. Movements like the abolitionists as well as other philanthropic initiatives could be more successful without the aspect of imperialism.
Works Cited
Hitchens, Christopher. Imperialism. 2002. Web, 22nd Feb 2012, http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/fighting_words/2002/12/imperialism.html
Solowey. American Imperialism in the Philippines. 2000. Web, 22nd Feb 2012, http://www.solowey.net/american_imperialism_in_the_phil.htm
