In reference to the US, its just so many words posing as thought.
The US does not rule any other country, nor does it force its will on anyone. The raw materials it needs it buys at market prices. The investments it makes overseas are made by private companies, not by the US government.
The soldiers it posts overseas defend the countries where they are posted, but do not interfere with the politics of the country itself.
In those cases where we intervene militarily, we withdraw when the fighting is over, and do not stick around to rule, even in cases where it might make sense to stick around.
In other words, there is no US empire.