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Daniel Bessner explores the concept of 'imperialist realism' and the enduring nature of the American empire.

Historian Daniel Bessner describes the current state of American global influence as 'imperialist realism,' a condition where it is easier for citizens to imagine the end of the world than the end of the United States empire. This perspective suggests that while Americans may feel alienated from the empire, they accept it because they believe no viable alternative to U.S. hegemony exists. The concept of imperialist realism emerged from a user-defined era of mass politics and the subsequent failure of the global war on terror. While the global war on terror was initially met with high levels of public optimism, its long-term reality resulted in significant costs, including billions of dollars spent and millions of deaths. Bessner notes that the pursuit of global primacy has often been driven by elites rather than the mass public. Since the late 1940s, the United States has sought to contain the public's influence on foreign policy, creating a governance apparatus where important decisions are made by experts and economic elites. This structure has led to a sense of cynicism among the public, with many citizens feeling that politicians are primarily focused on their own interests.

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