Well, we are currently hegemonic, like it or not. We start on a policy of making everybody fear us, we rule by fear.
So many treacherous leaps. We are "hegemonic?" Therefore we "rule?" Over "everybody?"
We are morally, culturally, economically, and militarily dominant, therefore we influence and attract. We show remarkable restraint, more than any nation ever has with such dominance. Sometimes, too much restraint.
I never said that "everyone" needed to fear us. Those who would hate us and kill us need to fear us.
All of your talk of "ruling" appropriately makes me wonder what you think Hitler and Stalin's mistakes really were.
So many treacherous leaps. We are "hegemonic?" Therefore we "rule?" Over "everybody?" We rule the world as much as anybody has ever ruled the world, yet we are far from wielding absolute power. As such, our position is still very much threatened by those you wish to scare, and those I wish to woo.
We are morally, culturally, economically, and militarily dominant, therefore we influence and attract.
That just makes people pay attention to us. It doesn't attract anybody. Regardless of our power, we must work to build respect. Making our enemies fear us is definitely a means to that ends, but it cannot be the sole means.
I never said that "everyone" needed to fear us. Those who would hate us and kill us need to fear us.
Welcome to Realpolitik 101. Everybody could hate or kill us, as alliances and interests shift. As such, we need to work to earn everybody's respect.
All of your talk of "ruling" appropriately makes me wonder what you think Hitler and Stalin's mistakes really were.
No moral equivalency there...