America is the current global hegemon, so it is always possible to make analogies with the US and prior super-powers such as Britain, Rome, and even Athens. Victor Davis Hanson looks at the analogies between America and Athens in A War Like No Other. One of the curiosities of Sparta was that they would promise to bring tyranny to the states they liberated from Athenian democracy. Tyranny back then being a legitimate government form while democracy was the radical, liberal and egalitarian form of subversiveness.
Hansen writes:
Although Americans offer the world a radically egalitarian popular culture and, more recently, in a very Athenian mood, have sought to remove oligarchs and impose democracy - ... - enemies, allies, and neutrals alike are not so impressed. They understandably fear American power and intentions while our successive governments, in the manner of confident and proud Athenians, assure them of our morality and selflessness. Military power and idealism about bringing perceived civilization to others are prescription for frequent conflict in any age - and no ancient state made war more often than did fifth-century Athens.Despite Athens' view of itself most of the ancient Greek states were more inclined toward Sparta despite its militant social structure and repugnant form of slavery. According to Hansen Greek states expected a higher level of moral and ethical behaviour from Athens than Sparta as well; which infuriated Athenians. We see a similar dynamic with the US. When America doesn't live up to its moral republican promise there is great disappointment, which must chap foreign policy realists in the US. Ultimately however they are analogies. The modern state of America is drastically different to Athens or ancient Greece. Democracy, Republicanism, Liberalism, not to mention the fury and technology of warfare are significantly different. While the analogies offer whimsical curiosities the world is significantly different even if we can recognize modern patterns within the past and vice versa.
