Thoughtful post, with some excellent observations. You did raise some questions and make some observations which deserve asking and following with some not-so-excellent observations.

-“not by imposition but because they are the most desirable condition.”

“Security through the rule of law often requires enforcement.”

On the surface it wouldn’t seem to be necessary to enforce the “most desirable condition”.

“Capitalism does not exploit people; people exploit people” is a true statement. Capitalism provides the means and motive to exploit people, however. The "company store" is how it's done. Control the capital environment of a person and you control his life. It is necessary in a capitalistic environment to protect labor, and in a socialist environment to protect capital.

"Pax Americana" is a metaphor for how we wish to be remembered, as well as how we wish to live. It need not obtained at gunpoint.

There seems to be more “Americana” than “Pax”. America’s “strong suit” is it’s military, and we seem to lead with our strong suit, or the threat of it.

“The benefits of empire can be realized without resort to "imperialism".” ??

That sounds a bit like “the benefits of capitalism can be realized without resort to capitalism”. Please explain.

If any word with the -ism suffix is applicable, let it be this one: humanism.

Sounds good, hasn’t worked. America has traditionally looked at the world through economic eyes, and installed and supported very repressive, undemocratic governments if they could “trade” with them. The “banana republics” are only one example of American silliness. We claim to support "democracy" when in reality we support trade.

Watch what happens to Taiwan. A democracy, Taiwan is "on the block" because China is now a more important trading partner, even though China is neither a democracy nor capitalistic.

We are a great, wonderful country, which will often do what’s right and fair for people if the public has balanced information. We also have some narrow interests when it comes to dealing with other countries.

And, the saying that “when the laws can be used to plunder, the plunderers will make the laws” is true. In the US the cost of political campaigns have put the most honorable of politicians in the hands of those with the money. But, then, that’s capitalism, a super system if its' excesses are checked.

Arf