This isn't intended to be a detailed factual retelling of
America's short history, a subject to which I pretend no
specialised knowledge. Rather, I intend to provide a broad
outline of each period in American history, starting with the
'heroic' phase of the Revolution and culminating in the United
States' contemporary position as the world's only superpower and
first-order world-historical actor. I end with a brief look at
the future. Such a task could be accomplished an almost infinite
number of ways. This is mine. I'd be happy to hear from you
about yours and possibly incorporate your comments to make my
arguments stronger. When European historians and commentators
discuss the genesis of the idea that government is accountable
to the people and that each person has unalienable rights which
exist prior to any government sanction, they often point to the
example of the French Revolution as the first practical
expression of these ideas. Of course, they are correct only in
the context of Europe. Like the French