ABSTRACT
At present the United States faces no global rival. America’s grand strategy should aim to preserve and extend this advantageous position as far into the future as possible. Project for a New American Century (2000, p. i)
Th e above quote succinctly summarizes the goal, if not the reality, of post-World War II (at least) U.S. administrations, as well as that of the fi nancial and corporate elites in the country. However, the context of the quote is about “rebuilding America’s defenses,” and it refers to military rivals. As such, it may have neglected what U.S. capital and government now do consider to be genuine global rivalsbut on the economic rather than the military front. Th ese competitors include China, Russia, Brazil, India, Japan, South Korea, and the European Union, and depending on various trade agreements, industries, and other particularities, also include other nations. Th ere is substantial contention between the United States and others for investment possibilities, markets, natural resources, tax breaks, cheap labor sources, and locales with lax environmental regulations. U.S. corporations, like those around the world, consistently vie with others for these opportunities, and economic competition is fi erce. Trade skirmishes regularly take place in international arenas like the World Trade Organization. In addition, the United States uses to its advantage both the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, both of which it dominates by having the largest share of votes (by far), as well as a permanent seat on their governing boards (similar to permanent UN Security Council members). In short, global contention is omnipresent (Harvey, 2005).
