A procrastination in of itself
That debate is focused around the US as it stands today, I don’t think there’s any dispute that the US historically operated as an empire with things like control of the Philippines, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Cuba, Haiti and Nicaragua.
"And the Bunny nails it!" ~ Gabrael "If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we." ~ Cyran
OG Troper
and Puerto Rico!
the statement above is false
Puerto Rico is still a US colony (controlled by it but can’t vote for the federal government), as are several Pacific islands.
Edited by Galadriel on Nov 7th 2023 at 9:10:07 AM
Visiting from the Hoag Galaxy
Yeah, the US owns five territories where the inhabitants are covered under American laws but have no meaningful say in them. That's an empire. But the US adds the absolutely fucking baffling wrinkle of its own capital being not properly enfranchised. As far as I know, it's the only empire (and possibly nation) in history that decided the people living in the capital and running the country are less important than the people everywhere else.
Not Three Laws compliant.
Disasturbator
I think when America freed itself from the rule of England's empire it did for a time behave like an empire by expanding its territories, admitting new states to the 'union' ect
but then it stopped expanding and has sort of remained there with 50 states
New theme music also a box
Visiting from the Hoag Galaxy
Plus five regions that are not fully enfranchised. Active expansion isn't a necessary prerequisite to being an empire.
Not Three Laws compliant.
Redmess
I agree, that's just settlement, which even city states can do. It was just done on a massive scale in the case of the US.
Optimism is a duty.
Isn't there debate about whether or not the US could be called an empire?
Optimism is a duty.