The Making of the American Empire

“The process of establishing an American Empire during and after World War II was not – as has been postulated (by those who even admit there is such a thing as an ‘American Empire’) – an ‘accident’ of history, something America seemingly stumbled into as a result of its unhindered economic growth and military-political position as arbiter of world peace and prosperity. A vast literature has developed in the academic realm and policy circles – particularly within Political Science and the think tank community, respectively – which postulates a notion of ‘American empire’ or ‘American hegemony’ as accidental, incidental, benevolent, reluctant, and desirable.” …

http://www.boilingfrogspost.com/2011/12/13/the-council-on-foreign-relations-the-%E2%80%9Cgrand-area%E2%80%9D-of-the-american-empire/