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Globalization vs. Empire: Can Trump Contain the Growing Split?
Rosen, David
http://www.counterpunch.org/2017/01/20/globalization-vs-empire-can-trump-contain-the-growing-split/Date Written: 2017-01-20 Publisher: Counterpunch Year Published: 2017 Resource Type: Article Cx Number: CX20308 A brief history of US policy supporting globalization and the growing divide it has created between US hegemony and global capitalism, and criticism of the Trump administrations capability to deal with the impacts of this divide. Abstract: -- Excerpts: Globalization is restructuring the U.S. economy and ordinary American, including many who voted for Trump, are suffering. To what extent does the needs of empire marked by an increasingly integrated military-police system, including the intelligence apparatus, serve as capitalism’s global police force in a 21st century world-order? Equally troubling, to what extent will this force be used to suppress domestic unrest? Can the $600 billion budget be significantly shrunk and the monies saved go to better use for, say, real infrastructure upgrades, pay raises for teacher and other civil-servant or to the lowering taxes paid by ordinary Americans? The growing split between globalization and empire fashions the social crisis that culminated in Trump's victory; it will define his presidency. However incoherently articulated, his rant calling for "America First" acknowledges the historical split - that U.S. military hegemony and global capitalism no longer share the same historical trajectory. Trump's new administration of oligarchs and generals will be driven by short-term and opportunist thinking that will only exasperate the split. Subject Headings |