Among the important issues discussed by LaFeber (p. 1) is the relationship between Progressive imperialist ideology and the more recent twenty-first century imperialism which began with the new technologies of the 1970s and the "American triumphalism of the late 1980s and 1990s." In both instances, LaFeber (pp. 1-2) argues that globalization was crucial in making it possible for America to enjoy a high level of autonomy and hegemony on the geopolitical stage. Globalization is presented by LaFeber (p. 1) as "both a cause and a result of the imperialism."

However, in identifying September 11, 2001 as a critical moment in recent history, LaFeber (p. 2) makes the case that American imperialism in the twenty-first century has contributed significantly to fragmentation on a number of levels. Fragmentation as used by this writer speaks to the divisiveness that eradicates stable relations between nation-states and regions or even relations between ethnic groups within an individual country.

LaFeber (p. 4) links terrorism to the general fragmentation that occurred and was heightened by the collapse of the Soviet Union. U.S. policy has indirectly and certainly inadvertently helped terrorists by sending aid to the Afghan resistance as a result of the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and then abandoning Afghanistan after the Soviets retreated in the late 1980s. LaFeber (p. 4) claims that imperialist undertakings such as Am

LaFeber, Walter. "The Post-September 11 Debate Over

LaFeber (p. 7) moves on to an analysis of how the forces of anti-globalization failed to make much of an impact on the political economy or the foreign policy initiatives of the sole remaining superpower prior to September 11th. Drawing heavily upon early comments on America offered by Alexis de Tocqueville, LaFeber (p. 8) introduces the economic theories of John Meynard Keynes into his analysis of fragmentation and privatization. He comments extensively upon the post-September 11th actions of George W. Bush and makes a strong case that Bush centralized power in the White House and thereby made what amounts to a political end run around Congress.

Science Quarterly, Spring 2002, 117(1), pp. 1-18.

A Pax Americana would be the ideal result of any American move toward empire. However, LaFeber (pp. 1-14) fails to take into consideration the fact that fully one-third of the people in the world are Muslim and that the vast majority of the Muslim states do not hold the United States in high esteem. These countries are not democracies and do not value democratic ideals and traditions. It is therefore likely that while economic globalization will continue despite September 11th, the fragmentation that led to September 11th will not simply go away because America flexes its political, economic, and military muscles.