The United States as a Hegemon and the Changing Dynamics of Security Poll Anthony R.

Santillan

What states are great powers today? Definitions vary when it comes to this; nevertheless seven states appear to meet the criteria: the United States, China, Russia, Japan, Germany, France, and Britain. These states are considered to be the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, who are also the members of the club openly possessing large nuclear weapons arsenals. Worthy of notice on this list is the United States, the worlds only superpower because of its historical role of world leadership especially in and after World War II and its preponderantly military power. The title of being a world power demands arduous work in every sphere of your government in which you will be getting your fuel from to sustain it. America is a potent country renowned for its capabilities; whether they are political or economical in a sense. In the context of international relations, America can never be taken out of the field. It has been shaping its own scheme and influencing the course of world events. With its proficiency of heightening its exemplary national security, America seems to be claiming the same title unendingly notwithstanding its government facing crises and junctures. In point of fact, throughout 1890s, the United States showed little interest in foreign relations. Its army, with just 28,000 soldiers, was one-twentieth the size of France's or Germany's. Its 10,000-man navy was a sixth the size of Britain's and half the size of Spain's. Toward the end of the 19th century, interest in foreign affairs mounted. Some worried that the United States was being left behind in the scramble for territory, markets, raw materials, and outlets for investment. In this paper, I will discuss some occurrences that contributed to the title being enjoyed by the United States as well as the techniques and strategies utilized by the country to come upon it; factors like the expansion of the United States, the Spanish-American War, and U.S. Involvement Overseas. Contained in this paper, in addition, is a discussion of how security, specifically national security, is crucial to the United States as a great power.

The United States Continues to Expand. Imperialism- the policy by which stronger nations extend their economic, political, or military control over weaker territories became a trend around the world subsequently. Throughout the 19th century, the United States determined the importance of sea power, trading stations, and colonies. It began to extend their control toward the Pacific Coast. This was conceived to them as a necessity with three factors helped to fuel the development of American imperialism. First is factor in line with economic interests which they believed would increase the financial prosperity of the Unites States. Many industrialist saw new colonies as a potential source of cheap raw materials. Indeed, America embraced Rational Choice Theory way back then to maximize their utilities. Second is of military interests. Economic interests go hand-in-hand with military interests, as argued by Alfred T. Mahan. In heightening military capabilities, heightening the economic capabilities ought to be managed correspondingly. Third is of belief in cultural superiority. It is not a fresh idea that Americans believed that their government, religion, and even race were superior to those of other societies. The Spanish-American War. War is a political instrument, like diplomacy or foreign aid, as argued by a realist named Clausewitz. Some scholars view the Spanish-American war as the greatest tool that gave the United States its global power. It is an undeniable fact that the Spain was one of the oldest superpowers of Europe. Independence movements in Spanish colonies led to the War in 1898. The explosion of the Maine, a U.S. ship that was sent to Cuba to protect U.S. citizens, led many Americans to favor war against Spain. Although the war had been fought over Cuba, U.S. leaders demanded that Spain give up other colonies after the warincluding Puerto Rico, the island of Guam, and the Philippines. Spain had no choice but to agree. The final peace treaty was signed in Paris in December 1898. The logic of power suggests that in wars, the more powerful state will general prevail. In this sense, though the Spain was a superpower, it was defeated by the United States; therefore the United States could claim the prize of being in the place. U.S. Involvement Overseas. In the early 1900s, the United States expanded its involvement in Asia and Latin America like that of the Philippines after the Spanish-American War. The power that rules the Pacificrules the world, as pointed out by Albert Beveridge. Toward the end of the century, the United States acquired a chain of islands stretched across the Pacific Ocean to Asia. Control of the Philippines gave Americans greater access to China. Both Japan and the major European powers expanded their spheres of influence in China giving the United States an access in return. The construction of Panama Canal increased the

overseas involvement of the United in early 1900s. It was it was an important route for international trade. If America could, in effect, tax all of the trade through the Panama Canal, it would be a huge source of revenue. The ownership of the Canal was then transferred to Panama in 1999. The Hegemony of United States was seen after World War II. Apropos, hegemony according to Goldhouse and Pevehouse in their book International Relations is one states holding a preponderance of power in the international system, so that it can single-handedly dominate the rules and arrangements by which international political and economic relations are conducted. Peace and prosperity of the decades after World War II were attributed to the U.S. Hegemony, observed using the Hegemonic Stability Theory that holds that hegemony provides some order similar to a central government in the international system: reducing anarchy, deterring aggression, promoting free trade, and providing a hard currency that can be used as a world standard, added by the two scholars. The power the United States holds is not inviolable. There is a theory of balance of power that creates equilibrium of power among great powers. This theory was evident among Russia, China, and even France by criticizing and counterbalancing the actions of the United States in the post-Cold War era. This theory is, as a matter of fact, absolutely essential to maintain the stability of international system. It is actually done by states that are not close to the states allies being counterbalanced. Alliances play a vital role in the balance of power, which the United States followed and made. Their primary purpose is to grow or intensify their members power relative to other states. For the United States as a great power, the creation of alliances shapes the configuration of power in the system. And for smaller states, alliances can be their most power element. If states transgress norms of international conduct, they may face a powerful alliance of opposing states- as predicted by balance-of-power theory. I may conclude that the United States as a hegemon is impaired with superiority complex. The thought of having the title of hegemony totally blinded them from potential external menaces like those of the September 11 Attacks launched by the Islamic terrorist group Al-Qaeda upon the United States. This occurrence awakened the American leaders and prompted them to make some alterations in their national policies, thus changing the dynamics of their national security.

The United States being a hegemon requires lots of ingredients to retain the title. With great power comes a great responsibility, as how a notable quote goes. Being a world power is expensive due to the fact that power is based on some underlying resources such as large populations, plentiful natural resources, advanced technology, and educated labor forces. Strengthening the military might of a great power can only be carried out when economic power is also strengthened. Thus, great powers, like the United States, have the worlds strongest military forces and the strongest economies to pay for military forces and other capabilities. With the benefits of the title, the influence and the might a great power possesses. There is no doubt that great powers would still want to ceaselessly be in power. One reason also is the long-process it necessitates in order to become one. Military force and economic sanctions are the means that the United States uses to try to influence globally.

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