American Century: Consensus and Coercion in the Projection of American Power

This book brings together studies of Americanization and American imperialism to assess how far the twentieth century can be seen as the ‘American Century’. The collection comprises new contributions exploring the ‘geographic dialogues’ that arise as the result of the projection of American power and culture in the world. The book provides a critical evaluation of the extent of the diffusion and adoption of the ‘American way of life’ and the very concept of ‘America’ itself.The contributors focus on the effects of the projection of American society from the perspective of the ‘receivers’, both as beneficiaries and as victims. The sections examine three main forms of American power: economic, political and cultural. Topics covered include the role of US corporations; financial power; overseas service investments; American promotion of democracy; the Cold War and the Third World; Hollywood and the American dream; global Disney; the globalization of media; and the influence of American music. The book concludes by looking forward to ask if we are entering a second American century.