Imperial overstretch

Imperial overstretch

Imperial overstretch is the extension of an empire beyond its ability to maintain or expand its military and economic commitments. The idea was first proposed by Yale historian Paul Kennedy in his book "The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers". His view has been heavily criticised from many directions, including the postmodern histiographer Hayden White and from Marxist writers such as Perry Anderson and Alex Callinicos.

Might Washington, like Rome, fall victim to imperial overstretch? Could military force abroad eventually have to be withdrawn because of bankruptcy at home? Might the whole idea of America eventually be challenged and destroyed by some charismatic new faith: some fundamentalist variant on Christianity? Or will nature disrupt America's new world order?
—Robert Harris, "Does Rome's fate await the US?," Sunday Mail, October 12, 2003

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