This course will explore and compare the foreign policies and practices of the United States and modern Britain during their respective periods of hegemonic rise, dominance, and decline. It seeks to understand the interplay of political, military, and economic power within the global system over the past several centuries. Challenging the notion of American exceptionalism, the course will illustrate how the United States has acted similarly to past imperial powers, particularly Britain, with the key difference being the shift from direct colonial control to informal imperialism due to changing historical contexts. Exceptionalism posits that national values—such as a commitment to democracy and self-determination—led both Americans and the British to wield power for the benefit of global society. Through readings on a wide range of topics—including political systems, rebellions, agriculture, food, industry, science, technology, medicine, and the environment—this course aims to demonstrate that the modern imperial mindset transcends historical periods. The three weeks of study will be structured as follows: 1) Liberalism, Humanitarianism, and Empire-Building, 2) Economy, Science, and Technology, and 3) Anti-colonialism in the two empires.