America is now, and has historically been, imperialist.

I hope that all the readers will enjoy it, regardless of their conclusions. === CHALLENGING THE RESOLUTION=== My opponents resolution, along with her clarification, is simple. Perhaps it is oversimplified, however, in the sense that what constitutes "imperialism" is subjective in the same way as it is with "terrorism. " The adage, "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter" comes to mind. For instance, "the extension or imposition of power, authority, or influence" could be ascribed to virtually every nation on earth in some capacity. That there are diplomats for countries is precisely for the explicit purpose of influencing another nation towards their own self-interests. This, of course, is in stark contrast with the Mongols, the Romans, the Ottomans, Nazi-Germany, who murder, rape, and pillage on a quest for world domination and control. The United States could not in any sense be grouped together with these imperialistic empires. In light of this, we are most assuredly going to need to narrow our terms and I request that PRO provides unambiguous evidence of the supposed imperialist tendencies she feels America ascribes to. I will offer my verdict on America and it's foreign national policy as well, so that PRO and the reader understands my own suppositions. I believe that America has adopted a foreign national policy stance that can be summarized as "interventionist. " I believe that America does attempt to coerce other nations in some regards, and that in many instances it could reasonably be construed as detrimental. PRO and I would likely agree on those points. Be that as it may, "Imperialist" is far too strong a word to attach to America, either in the past or now. In fact, it could more aptly summarized that the United States has a strong tradition anti-imperialism. === HISTORICAL ARGUMENT === America's very foundation is premised upon breaking the yoke of the British, imperialist Empire. In two separate wars, America fought for its right to secede from an oppressive monarchy and for its rights to independence. A further illustration of American disgust with imperialism can also be clearly seen when America came to the Philippines aid against Spain, an imperialist nation. Likewise in WWI and WWII, America did everything in its power to stay uninvolved in the affairs of Europe up until it was thrust in to war against, what any sensible person would regard as a true imperialist dictatorship, Nazi-Germany. Nazi-German tactics are hallmark characteristics of imperialism. I challenge my opponent to offer up any such evidence that could even remotely be likened to America when juxtaposed by Nazi-Germany, the Mongols, the Roman Empire, etc. No such corollary exists in actuality. === CLOSING === In closing, I believe PRO's indictment against the United States is a rather dubious, libelous and unfair accusation, and that perhaps she is prone to hyperbole. Exaggerations in the form of slanderous pejoratives is a tool of propaganda. Let history make the case. "Imperialism has been subject to moral censure by its critics, and thus the term is frequently used in international propaganda as a pejorative for expansionist and aggressive foreign policy. " [1] My contention is that America could be considered interventionist, but not imperialistic. === SOURCE === 1. "Imperialism. " International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, 2nd edition.