America as 'Hyperpower': Threat and Opportunity

摘要

The terms 'The world's only superpower'. . . America as 'hyperpower'. . . are terms that political and business leaders, private citizens, the media, and allied nations have contributed to the extensive use of these terms when describing the role and status of the United States during the post-Cold War era. Twelve years and three Presidents later, our national leaders are still struggling to define our position in a world so many had hoped would finally be free from war. While President Bush 41's prowess in building an international coalition to prevail against Iraqi aggression led to a record approval rating of 91%, his apparent indifference to the impact of the 1991-92 economic recession on the home front doomed his reelection hopes. Conversely, President Clinton, while achieving remarkable domestic success in 'growing the economy' throughout his two terms, was roundly criticized for excessive reliance upon multilateral engagement as the major principle governing his national security strategy. Departing from the practices of his post-Cold War predecessors, President Bush 43 initially assumed a unilateralist and even oppositional - 'anything but Clinton' approach to foreign policy. And now, the events of September 11 have inexorably altered our national security environment. It remains to be seen beyond the present crisis response efforts to build international consensus - how this catastrophe will alter the President's approach to the international community during the remaining years of his tenure.