Globalization Is Behind Calls to Break Up the “Great Empire”

Calls for secession from the federal union were renewed by a number of American states due to the effects of the economic crisis. Rights groups calling for secession were active in at least 10 states, including Texas, Vermont, Hawaii and Alaska. On the backdrop of stifling taxes financing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which many view as futile, the number of people demanding secession rose.

Calls for secession followed a statement by Thomas Naylor, founder of the Second Vermont Republic (SVR), claiming that the federal union had lost its moral authority and pointing out that all governments take orders from Wall Street. This surprise supports Governor of Texas Rick Perry’s secessionist ideas at a time when there were confirmations by some media outlets that the number of people calling for secession was few. At the same time, half of all American states refused to implement new federal standards for I.D. cards; some states considered themselves under no obligation to implement special federal laws for weapons manufacturing and ammunitions.

To what extent could the American Empire be affected and what are the implications of such a call, particularly since the collapse of the Soviet Union following its defeat in Afghanistan, just as defeat is now anticipated there for the United States?

Legal scholar Dr. Hisham Sadek, professor of law at the University of Alexandria, believes that the era of globalization has been governed by the weakness of the nation-state since its inception in the mid-seventies of the last century, particularly in third world countries. He points out that globalization permeated the national state politically and economically, which led to the emergence of the loose state term, or the weak state.

Dr. Sadek also highlighted that this vulnerability is not accidental, but formed through the various stages of the development of globalization that internally directed the growth of institutions, multinational companies and nationalities. Additionally, it also advanced a trend within countries toward localities, with increasing signs of the internal division of states on various grounds, including religious and ethnic bases. Dr. Sadek adds that this call for secession within the United States of America confirms that the serious consequences of globalization that already afflict third world countries may befall the major powers. He emphasized that globalization is the core reason, even if wars and the imminent announcement of U.S. defeat in Afghanistan and Iraq are contributing factors.

Finally, Dr. Hisham Sadek played down the importance of these separatist claims, indicating that he is a supporter of strengthening the nation-state, not the weak state.

For his part, Dr. Hassan Nafaa, a professor of political science, believes that the U.S. is experiencing a multi-faceted crisis, not just an economic one, which can be called a crisis of confidence in the future.

He noted that the state lost its hegemony and control over the world, despite talk about the United States possessing an advanced model of governance, in addition to resources that allow it to tighten its control over the world.

He pointed out that U.S. arrogance was strongly shaken after it became apparent there are limits to this country's power, that it cannot win in two separate wars and that small countries have the ability to defeat the United States. Dr. Hassan Nafaa emphasized that U.S. defeat in Afghanistan is imminent and that the announcement needs some time. He noted that the economic crisis confirms that the capitalist system can turn into a beast, pointing to the existence of many problems facing the United States that made U.S. citizens have reservations about the ability of this model to attain the aspirations of American society.

He pointed out that American society is not on the verge of collapse, as alleged by some, but in a state of decline, pointing to the different factors and circumstances surrounding the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Consistent with this opinion, Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies analyst, Dr. Amr al-Shoubaki, added that there is a retreat and defeat in the U.S. imperial project that is driving the U.S. administration to change its ways. He added that the idea of the collapse of the American Empire is unlikely in the foreseeable future.

For his part, Dr. Nagah Alraies, professor of political science at October 6 University, indicated that the U.S. as a nation allows for the exchange of such ideas, but these remain ideas championed by radicals and opponents of the U.S. administration. The materialization of such views is far-fetched and no one can claim that, in the near future, a breakdown of the American Empire will take place. Further, he adds that, despite America’s setbacks in Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. remains unified from within as Americans still taking pride in their nation.