ABSTRACT
All countries, irrespective of their geographical size or economic and political conditions, compete for power and influence to further their national interests. Countries with hegemonic histories-including colonial powers-do not like to share power or reluctantly share only that much power that does not erode their dominance. Alliances are sought to further consolidate their hegemony. They spend a tremendous amount of economic, political, and military resources to jealously guard these interests. Ideological virginity is sacrificed, and promiscuous political alliances are made and easily discarded. Such countries are quite suspicious of emerging “upstarts” as potential challengers/rivals, view their ascendency with caution, and try to contain or co-opt them as supplicant allies and strategic partners under their dominance. Post-World War II American foreign policy-foreign aid, formation of military pacts in Europe and Asia, and, now, Chinese expansion and policies in Asia and Africa-is directed toward maintaining or challenging the status quo in the global power equation. According to Robert Kagan, “Power changes nations. It expands their wants and desires, increases their sense of entitlement . . . , makes them more ambitious, . . . lessens their tolerance to obstacles, [and decreases] their willingness to take no for an answer.”1
