© National Journal Group Inc.
Thursday, Oct. 5, 2006

By Michael Mandelbaum ISBN 1586483609 PublicAffairs 283 pp. Purchase This Book [an error occurred while processing this directive]

History sees the fall of all great empires -- eventually. America's detractors around the world look forward to the day the United States meets the fates of the British and Soviet empires that preceded it. But that's unlikely to occur anytime soon, Michael Mandelbaum argues in "The Case for Goliath."

The United States is less like an empire than it is a global government, Mandelbaum suggests, and despite all the seemingly prevalent anti-American sentiment, the world really needs and loves this Goliath.

For Mandelbaum, it's important to distinguish how the United States is different from every global superpower that came before it. Empires seek conquest, land and glory, and to "govern against will." Although the country has certainly been guilty of governing against will, American policymakers don't entertain the idea of permanently occupying foreign territories. Mandelbaum sees this as an important distinction: The United States did not want Germany and Japan as permanent provinces. Vietnam wasn't a land-grab. Even the most fervent Iraq war supporters -- in this case, President Bush -- have pledged that "as the Iraqi security forces stand up, coalition forces can stand down... and our troops will return home."

Rather, Mandelbaum contends that the United States is engaged abroad to pursue its goals of spreading democracy, free markets and peace. In order to do that, the country exercises its unprecedented might and becomes the world's policeman.

Mandelbaum offers a vision of America's most idealistic foreign policy and a refreshing account of what the United States actually does right in the world. He does, however, skirt the fact that America's heavy global presence is often reviled; recent polls suggest that the United States is seen in some places as the greatest threat to world stability.

He dismisses these points by explaining that no one wants a Goliath to win. Everyone roots for the little guy, he argues. Furthermore, Goliaths serve as convenient targets for the frustrations of the downtrodden. Foreign governments, and Arab nations in particular, are eager to channel their citizens' anger on the behemoth.

But while many foreign governments often score political points by challenging or questioning American policy, Mandelbaum believes that foreign leaders privately appreciate the United States. He thinks that America would have a resounding approval rating in a secret poll of world leaders and even uses as an analogy the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life," in which the main character considers suicide until he sees a world without him. It is a far gloomier and more uncertain place.

The United States will continue its role as the world's government until the American taxpayer decides that it no longer should, Mandelbaum concludes. He warns that with impending baby boomer entitlements, for example, that day could come soon. With a steadily rising price tag for the budget of this "world police," it's unclear if the American taxpayer will continue to foot the bill for a government that provides services to the world but seems to struggle to provide the same for its own people. --Patrick Ottenhoff, NationalJournal.com

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