Imperialism #5: American Imperialism?

There has been a lot of writing in the past five years on “American imperialism” – if it exists, what it is, and how it differs from the imperialisms that have come before. Consider some of these excerpts, including one from our very own Stanley Hoffman, and then (in light of the lessons from the Abernethy reading) ask: Is there such thing as American imperialism? If so, what is it? If so, how did it come about? If not, why not? What is the future of American imperialism? Why does the notion of “American imperialism” draw such sharp reaction?