The US now expands influence—not borders. Globalization seems inevitable.
Terrorism is a manifestation of globalization’s self-destructive byproduct.
Increased and enhanced communication methods can just as easily serve negative, destructive purposes as positive.
Global governance seems a logical end as commerce fluidly transcends borders; the international system is well on its way to a stronger, more cohesive structure of control. It is clear that a superpower cannot be depended on to independently police rogue nations.
Bursts of modernization do not always yield positive results. When generally weaker groups gain access to information-disseminating technology, their doctrine is readily spread. Unification and mobilization is made possible only by efficient communication. According to Wright, “This is history's drift: technology correlating the fortunes of ever-more-distant people, enmeshing humanity in a web of shared fate.”
The most obvious trade-off in policing the international stage is between liberty and security. However, in this day and age we must also consider hostility, its causes, and appeasement. Global governance without moral understanding and growth could potentially be horrendous.
The self-interest of the United States correlates directly with the self-interest of threatening, distressed nations across the world. As a superpower, the U.S. must attend to welfare abroad in order to secure wellbeing at home.
Post WWII saw a world community of isolated nations. Now, current disputes may divide and segregate modern global commerce again. Nations are experiencing trust issues for non-economic reasons, as the divisive war in Iraq rages on. Terrorism has created suspicion and doubt in international relations. Interdependence draws nations together while conflict pulls them apart.