China joins the WTO (World Trade Organization) by invitation. This is perhaps the final act of what some have called the postmodern empire of the United States, using evocative neologisms such as “empire by invitation” (precisely), “consensual hegemony,” or “liberal leviathan.” In exchange, the members of this “empire” enjoy the stability and security of trade, guaranteed not only by the WTO but also by American control and dominance of the seas.
