America’s Inadvertent Empire

America’s Inadvertent Empire explores how the United States, without formal colonial ambitions, built and sustained a global power structure that rivals traditional empires. Robert Dujarric and William E. Odom argue that post-World War II American military, economic, and cultural dominance created an empire in function if not in name. The book examines the unintended consequences of U.S. involvement abroad, particularly in Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East, through a historical and strategic lens.

This title is essential reading for anyone studying U.S. foreign policy, great power strategy, or global security architecture. Dujarric’s insights connect Cold War legacy systems to 21st-century geopolitical realities. As a foundational work in understanding American power post-9/11, it remains relevant in debates about international leadership, democratic influence, and the durability of Western alliances.