By: Ben Norton

Remember learning about the “Age of Imperialism” in high school history class? Remember that it was a period from the mid-19th century to early 20th centuries?

You were ostensibly, then, undoubtedly  assured that such transgressions (along with racism, and sexism, corruption, etc.) were merely ills of the past, and that things are much better now. (Have you ever noticed that injustice never exists in modern day, that it’s always just in our past that we had skeletons in our closet, and that everything today is just peachy?)

I hate to break it to you, but you were lied to. American imperialism (and these other tribulations) has in no way stopped. In fact, not only has it continued, arguably just as strongly since this time, it is in many ways much, much worse.

Why then is it not often talked about? If this is such an egregious problem, why isn’t it in the spotlight?

There are many reasons why this is not so. A truly complicated amalgam of factors including the corporate-controlled media; censorship of school textbooks and watered-down curricula; a wildly inculcated yearning for the distractions (opiates) of pop culture, sports, and television; government propaganda; and much more would lead one to deduce that, if imperialism does indeed exist, our oligarchs are simply less overt about it today. And, although there may be a grain of truth to this assumption, sometimes they flaunt it.

A paragon of this came just a few weeks ago on Nov. 10, when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated, “it is becoming increasingly clear that in the 21st century, the world’s strategic and economic center of gravity will be the Asia Pacific, from the Indian subcontinent to the western shores of the Americas. And one of the most important tasks of American statecraft over the next decades will be to lock in a substantially increased investment — diplomatic, economic, strategic and otherwise — in this region.”

What could “otherwise” be? Further statements make it patently clear.

Clinton continued, positing, “the 20th century saw the creation of a comprehensive transatlantic network of institutions and relationships.” What she really means, though, is  that the 20th century saw the creation of a comprehensive transatlantic network of American imperialism.

She then clarified, “Its goals were to strengthen democracy, increase prosperity and defend our collective security. And it has paid remarkable dividends, in Europe itself in our thriving two-way trade and our investment, and in places like Libya and Afghanistan. It has also proven to be absolutely critical in dealing with countries like Iran. The transatlantic system is and always will be a central pillar of America’s engagement with the world.”

Here, again, what she really means is  that imperialism is and always will be a central pillar of America’s engagement with the world.

Her words drip with imperialist jargon. “And just as the United States played a central role in shaping that architecture across the Atlantic — to ensure that it worked, for us and for everyone else — we are now doing the same across the Pacific … I have heard from many different counterparts across the Asia Pacific an urgent desire for American leadership, which has brought benefits to this region already for decades. The United States is proud of our long history as a Pacific nation and a resident diplomatic, military and economic power. And we are here to stay. … The 21st century will be America’s Pacific century, a period of unprecedented outreach and partnership in this dynamic, complex and consequential region. American businesses are eager for more opportunities to trade and invest in Asian markets. And we share with most nations the goal of broad-based, sustainable growth that expands opportunity, protects workers and the environment, respects intellectual property, and fosters innovation. But to accomplish these goals, we have to create a rules-based order, one that is open, free, transparent and fair.”

Just look at this rhetoric: “we have to create a rules-based order, one that is open, free, transparent and fair”; “the Asia Pacific (has) an urgent desire for American leadership, which has brought benefits to this region already for decades”; “to ensure that it worked, for us and for everyone else”; “America’s Pacific century”; and, most blunt of all, “we are here to stay.”

The scary thing is, however, this was in no way an isolated incident. In the second half of this column, I’ll further address our elected officials revealing their imperialist inclinations.