Do we understand the vastness of the United States? Do we ever consider this the largest empire the world has ever seen?

What began out of the British expansion and a revolt against a monarchy has carved out a nation that has exceeded its predecessor to the extent that there is hardly a corner on Earth that remains outside its sphere of influence.

Of course, this evolution to world dominance did not happen overnight or in a vacuum. It occurred on the back of a collapsed centuries-old European dominance in the mid-20th century, ravaged by Second World War and finally by the 1990s collapse of the Soviet Union during the Reagan era.

This left the US as the single superpower with a military capability unmatched in world history. Its global status with 800 military bases and the role it likes to assert in the name of protecting its interests requires it to be seen as an empire.

The paradox is that the US is a nation-state with a constitution and an electorate confined to its borders and those jurisdictions like Hawaii and Puerto Rico that fall under its jurisdiction.

Yet in terms of its foreign policy and its influence on the rest of the world, there is a disconnect between its domestic policy and foreign policy. This is particularly evident with human rights.

An American president was once asked why he supports a dictator over a democracy. This question was asked in light of the cruelty that the dictator was known to inflict on his people. His answer was: “I would rather support a dictator who is friendly to us than a democracy which could be infinitely worse to our cause.”

What that president said echoes consistent American foreign policy, which does not follow its domestic rule or order. Domestically, it wants to champion the ideals of free speech, freedom and democracy but there is little evidence of this in its foreign policy, which will tolerate the opposite if it serves the American interest.

There is a huge ethical and moral responsibility in assuming the title of “leader of the free world”. I wrote a book in 2008 where I said that the constitution of the US was meant for a world, not a nation.

What I meant was the statement, “All men are equal and are entitled to certain inalienable rights”, was not just meant for a nation, rather it should apply to all humanity.

When the most wealthy and powerful nation on Earth, whose fingers are dipped in everyone's pot, lives up to its own ideals, then it can rightfully carry the title of leader of the free world. Until then all we have is hope in the words of people like Martin Luther King Jr, who said: “One day this nation will live out the true meaning of its creed.”

The truth is the war in Gaza, which is now extending to the West Bank, has put a spotlight on the US and its complicity. Those of us who consider ourselves supporters of American ideals are appalled at the events of October 7 and now equally appalled at the level of collective punishment the Palestinians are made to endure. Appalled, because a Palestinian life is as valuable as an American or Israeli life.

The US is the largest empire ever by far and the test on its shoulders will be the same test that judged empires before it, therefore it is useful to look ahead and ask how future generations will view these moments.

Some believe we are witnessing the end of the American empire and this thought has gained traction in recent months as the confidence that America can be fair, just and equitable has eroded in the global South.

The golden rule is: “As much as you have done to the least of these, you’ve done unto me.” The future of the world may soon cease to be unipolar and become multipolar, where every nation, small or large, has a voice.