America Must Decide What Role It Wants to Play in the World

The global rise of the United States was stunning. What started as a collection of small sovereign states in a world dominated by European imperial powers unified and grew, both geographically and economically, into a major global power by the end of the 19th century. Though the nation, in the words spoken by US President Abraham Lincoln years before he became its leader, nearly “died by suicide” in the process, a civil war only appeared to delay, rather than end, America’s ascendance.

Once it became a major power, the United States found itself not only in a position of great influence but as one of just two mid-20th century superpowers, alongside the Soviet Union. By the end of the century, the nation had entered what political scientist Francis Fukuyama referred to as “the end of history,” becoming an ideological leader and sole global power.

Looking back, America’s path from vulnerable independent nation to global superpower took place over a relatively brief period. Its standing at the top of the global order was similarly short-lived. Some have claimed that the United States lost its dominant position because of foolish policies pursued by US leaders, whether becoming engaged in “endless wars” in Iraq and Afghanistan, or expecting a growing China to simply accept a secondary role in a US-led global economic and security order.

Now, nearly 250 years since declaring its independence, America finds itself in a period of global transition. China is on the rise. Russia is experiencing a resurgence. India is growing. The United States is once again just one of many major powers, though, thanks to its large economic size, prominent military, and extensive network of alliances, in a relatively more powerful position than it was the first time around.

How the United States should best adapt to its changing role in the world is at the core of foreign policy debate today. Should America seek to retain a position of dominance? Or would it be better served by forgoing dominance but retaining influence over the international organizations and treaties it helped create? The United States could also choose to fully embrace its position as just one of many major global powers and focus on its narrow interests, which would likely mean dominating its own region, at most.

Because of how quickly America rose to the top, there may have been little time to formulate a uniform sense of self. And so, it continued without a single ontology to guide it. It is why the United States has been referred to as a “city upon a hill” and “the last best hope,” but also a dangerous nation and an empire. Its role in the world has been underscored by a saying widely attributed to Winston Churchill: “America can always be counted on to do the right thing, after exhausting all other options.”

Perhaps self-discovery is the work that lies before the United States as it enters its 250th year. Having experienced the lows and highs of global politics in relatively rapid succession, it can finally come to terms with what role it truly wants to play in the world.