However, there are a number of other questions that arise from such a premise. The world is a lot different from the era of the Roman Empire. And in part due to America’s contributions to technology, the global community is highly interdependent. The rules are already embedded in treaties, international laws and organizations as well as rapid proliferation of customs and practices in daily affairs: instant payment with credit cards, increased volumes of trade, the jet age of travel. There are also other hidden perils such as financial meltdowns of developing countries, IMF emergencies and massive corporation bankruptcies.

Thus, the need for common definitions and a modern revision of practices within these treaties and bodies of law, customs, and practices is necessary, if only to remove doubt and misunderstanding. In turn, this amplifies the need for an even turf and realistic, if blunt, discussion in the global sphere. It ought to trump petty little arguments and differences that merely polarize nations.

The impact of an American failure or fall would have a much greater impact on the world. A quick analysis of the irresponsible growth in American debt and its correlation to the rapid devaluation of American currency ought to serve as an alarming clue for the world economy. The crude process of decision making about the war in Iraq and gross miscalculations about global warming are other reminders of such blunders.

America has isolated itself into a corner. It is more reliant on its military might without realizing the fact that the challenges are now different than when it first rose to power. It has not been able to locate a violent terrorist living in Afghan caves and has been unable to incorporate foreign assistance and humanitarian aid into programs for victims of Katrina in New Orleans. These are telling signs in an historical context.

Therefore, it is time for a new debate on how America can crawl out of its albeit self-inflicted isolation. It must reconnect with the rest of the world. There are enough international organizations and treaties, the UN charter being one to start. There is no need to reinvent these structures although a modern definition of common values is necessary: security, clean environment, safe and stable financial markets all require a revision of common definitions. Removing exceptions and opt-outs in multilateral agreements ought to serve as a starting point if only to avoid a massive meltdown of interdependence in the world at some point in the future.

Salvation comes from within, but it requires a leap of faith to reset one’s bearings!