In recent times, there is a debate about the status of the American empire. Some observers point to the Trump administration’s military actions as evidence of an imperial approach. Historian Daniel Immerwahr, author of How to Hide an Empire, suggests that the United States has engaged in building an empire for centuries, albeit in a less overt manner than other nations.
Gene Demby, host of Code Switch, discusses with Immerwahr why the United States is not typically seen as a colonial power. They explore how actions taken under President Trump’s leadership are affecting the global order.
For more on this topic and other discussions, consider exploring additional episodes about the U.S. empire, such as the impact of human labor on AI and the complex relationship with Canada.
This episode was produced by Jess Kung, edited by Leah Donnella, with additional production by Liam McBain. The Supervising Producer is Cher Vincent, and the VP of Programming is Yolanda Sangweni.