Empire lite
Encyclopedia
Empire lite is a form of imperialism
in which major powers shape world affairs using diplomacy and short-term military intervention rather than conquest
, colonialism
or direct governance of other countries. It differs from classical imperialism
in two ways: it involves a much smaller commitment of resources, and it does not involve new settlement by the imperial power.
The term was first popularized by Canadian
philosopher Michael Ignatieff
in his book Empire Lite: Nation-Building in Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan, all the Empire, forty less calories. (2003). Here and in other writings, Ignatieff identifies the author of empire lite as the United States
, the world's last military superpower
. The purpose of empire lite, Ignatieff believes, is to build a global "humanitarian empire" of free, self-governing countries through long-term nation building — including the use of military force — in failed or failing states.
Ignatieff supported the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 because he saw it as one such intervention, a step he later regretted.
Imperialism
Imperialism, as defined by Dictionary of Human Geography, is "the creation and/or maintenance of an unequal economic, cultural, and territorial relationships, usually between states and often in the form of an empire, based on domination and subordination." The imperialism of the last 500 years,...
in which major powers shape world affairs using diplomacy and short-term military intervention rather than conquest
Invasion
An invasion is a military offensive consisting of all, or large parts of the armed forces of one geopolitical entity aggressively entering territory controlled by another such entity, generally with the objective of either conquering, liberating or re-establishing control or authority over a...
, colonialism
Colonialism
Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a process whereby the metropole claims sovereignty over the colony and the social structure, government, and economics of the colony are changed by...
or direct governance of other countries. It differs from classical imperialism
Imperialism
Imperialism, as defined by Dictionary of Human Geography, is "the creation and/or maintenance of an unequal economic, cultural, and territorial relationships, usually between states and often in the form of an empire, based on domination and subordination." The imperialism of the last 500 years,...
in two ways: it involves a much smaller commitment of resources, and it does not involve new settlement by the imperial power.
The term was first popularized by Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
philosopher Michael Ignatieff
Michael Ignatieff
Michael Grant Ignatieff is a Canadian author, academic and former politician. He was the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition from 2008 until 2011...
in his book Empire Lite: Nation-Building in Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan, all the Empire, forty less calories. (2003). Here and in other writings, Ignatieff identifies the author of empire lite as the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the world's last military superpower
Superpower
A superpower is a state with a dominant position in the international system which has the ability to influence events and its own interests and project power on a worldwide scale to protect those interests...
. The purpose of empire lite, Ignatieff believes, is to build a global "humanitarian empire" of free, self-governing countries through long-term nation building — including the use of military force — in failed or failing states.
Failed state
The term failed state is often used by political commentators and journalists to describe a state perceived as having failed at some of the basic conditions and responsibilities of a sovereign government...
Ignatieff supported the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 because he saw it as one such intervention, a step he later regretted.
See also
- American imperialism
- EmpireEmpireThe term empire derives from the Latin imperium . Politically, an empire is a geographically extensive group of states and peoples united and ruled either by a monarch or an oligarchy....
- ImperialismImperialismImperialism, as defined by Dictionary of Human Geography, is "the creation and/or maintenance of an unequal economic, cultural, and territorial relationships, usually between states and often in the form of an empire, based on domination and subordination." The imperialism of the last 500 years,...
- Responsibility to protectResponsibility to protectThe responsibility to protect is a norm or set of principles based on the idea that sovereignty is not a privilege, but a responsibility. RtoP focuses on preventing and halting four crimes: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing, which it places under the generic...
- New World OrderNew World OrderNew World Order, New world order or The New World Order may refer to:*New world order , any period of history evidencing a dramatic change in world political thought and the balance of power...