AMERICAN EMPIRE

Perkins appears to have a celebratory tone in his view of the role of the US in the world (you may challenge that) and provides us with a detailed survey of how it was transformed into a republican nation and extended into a continental "empire" as he calls it. Given his discussion on the origins of the American pattern of behavior, do you think that the US still sustains the "empire" in the postmodern world especially in the face of the challenges posed by other major economic and political actors emerging onto the world scene such as China, India, Japan, and possibly the EU?

I absolutely concur that the United States sustains the “empire” in the post modern world even though countries such as China, India, Japan and EU are emerging onto the world scene. Perkins “glorious” account of the birth of the republic and its first decades was very informative pointing out that America was born from principles of liberty, ambitious economic prosperity (thus prioritizing trade and expansionism) and use of diplomacy to defend national interests. The Founding Fathers created a governing system that would correct the dreadful wrongs done by European monarchies and it would become the model of government the world should exercise. The Republic was designed to empower its people with the ability to write their own destiny. Foreign Policy was a crucial part of the revolution and it proved to be essential tool in order to demand acceptance and respect from Europe. The United State would only be valued as an International player if other dominant nations perceived its influential power. Nationalism was the force that kept the Union together and is still the force that helps Americans to maintain the status as “superpower”. Americans believe in their governing institutions and stand by its policies and actions. Today, the United States has the largest economy; the most advanced military system; prominently influences international policies and major global debates; in my opinion, all these major achievements no other single country is close from accomplishing.
I finish with a quote from Pres. Obama 2011 State of Union speech, to conclude that the future of the American “empire” is really in the hands of its own people:
“So, yes, the world has changed. The competition for jobs is real. But this shouldn’t discourage us. It should challenge us. Remember -– for all the hits we’ve taken these last few years, for all the naysayers predicting our decline, America still has the largest, most prosperous economy in the world. No workers -- no workers are more productive than ours. No country has more successful companies, or grants more patents to inventors and entrepreneurs. We’re the home to the world’s best colleges and universities, where more students come to study than any place on Earth.
What’s more, we are the first nation to be founded for the sake of an idea -– the idea that each of us deserves the chance to shape our own destiny. That’s why centuries of pioneers and immigrants have risked everything to come here. It’s why our students don’t just memorize equations, but answer questions like “What do you think of that idea? What would you change about the world? What do you want to be when you grow up?”
The future is ours to win.”

Note:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/01/25/remarks-president-state-union-address