Does America Want to Rule the World?

Dr. Josef Joffe, a German publisher-editor, recently gave a lecture discussing whether or not America can rule the world. The piece is quite interesting for two primary reasons.

1) He provides a generally correct overview of the previous and current relationship the US has with the rest of the world.

2) As a German, his writing reflects the apprehension and misunderstanding he has of the US that also dominates the politics of his country along with those of France and Russia, providing insight on why these countries opposed the US regarding the war in Iraq.

Based upon his perceptions, the right question was not asked. "Can America Rule the World?" becomes moot if America has no desire to rule the world.

Thanks to Puggs over at Random Nuclear Strikes for his take and for pointing me to this article. Read the whole thing.