What is it about the notion of empire that fascinates so many men? Why do we think that an empire would be somehow cooler than a democracy?
In the Star Wars mythological system, the Empire replaces a decrepit and tottering Republican system. The Empire is seen as stronger, more stable — a natural fallback position for a galaxy that has ceased to be functional.
In Revolutionary France, an Empire replaced a kingly monarchy, as France seized territory from Italy to Spain. The Emperor himself, Napoleon, was a grand figure raised from the commoner ranks. There was a time in the Russian courts when it was cool to learn French, the imperial tongue.
Empire is a notion that resounds with distantly heard grandeur and power. If you worship power in an of its forms (Obey Jesus — joyously) then you will be inclined to celebrate and support empire.
For a long time now, men have waited for the American republic to devolve (or evolve, as your preference may be) into empire. Even today, when America is clearly a republic, it is a commonplace to speak of the American empire. There is a combination of disapproval and admiration wrapped up in that context.
Some would say that America would be better off being a frank empire. After America ripped the Southwest off from Mexico, and took Puerto Rico away, it was clear that America was behaving imperially. But America never relinquished its voting system, and its human rights regime only expanded in the decades to come, as homosexuals and others gained new rights. So America didn’t slip completely into empire. It was held back by something, a nostalgia for freedom, perhaps.
When you choose empire, you’re selecting for darkness. It’s inevitable. There is a permanent and enduring connection between imperial ways and the darker side of mankind. We expect the imperial court to behave badly. We are more inclined to believe in good government from our democracies than from any hypothetical empire-state.
What makes empire different is its power lust. If you celebrate the control and dominion of one man over another, you celebrate empire. It’s that simple.
Dark Sport 
In the 1930s, Germany also went from a Republic to an empire and history tells us how that went.
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These are dark times Harry – the old wizard was more correct then he could ever know. While an expat for 25+ yrs it appears that my choice to use my American education to help others was the correct choice. Empire is crumbling even as it is being built. I would always said “I wonder if Roman was like this during its fall” now I know the answer -YES!
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Interesting thoughts, and thanks for the comment. My reply: I think the American empire, rather than dying out, may be in the process of just being born full-formed into this world. I think the Founders knew this truth when they looked across a vast, unexploited continent and named their higher governing body “the Senate” after the Roman body. They knew their allusions. But we’ll see which direction things trend in the fullness of time.
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