Historical Lessons on Global Hegemony

"The Roman model suggests that it is possible for the United States to maintain its military advantage for centuries if it remains capable of transforming its forces before an opponent can develop counter-capabilities."
Yet America's strengths are also its greatest weaknesses: "For the United State, strategic institutions (e.g., its democratic institutions, personal liberties, and market and financial institutions) represent both the source of its military advantage and its largest vulnerability."

These are the stunning conclusions of a recently released 2002 Pentagon commissioned report on how the United States could learn from the the experiences of four previous empires ("pivotal hegemonic powers in history").
The Report, titled "Military Advantage in History" is available for download here. Informative comment available here.

A.C. Grayling and the Overthrow of Democracy

"...even one mile in the direction of any of their various paradises-on-earth would be a hell for all but those running the journey."

Philosopher A.C. Graying recently supported the recent right-wing nationalist attempt to overthrow the democratically elected government of Turkey through a legal challenge. Not surprising I suppose, he is a liberal defender of "moral values" and author of a 400 page book which asks "Was the Allied Bombing of Civilians in WWII a Necessity or a Crime?"

Sen versus Ferguson

Amartya Sen has recently given us his judgment on British rule in India. Its a rather miserable piece, for a reasonable critique see this.
Niall Ferguson has responded to Sen's article here, and Sen has responded to Ferguson's response here.