Can you think of any large nation or Empire that has been universally revered for more than a few years at best?

In the past, I can understand why not. The empire grew by conquering (militarily) the vassels.

Do we need to flex our military might in that manner now? Don't we have enough resources within our own country to support ourselves?

Seems like that any sufficiently large entity whether it be a country, religion, or corporation will end up exploiting/abusing some group at one time or another despite the best of intentions.

I can understand corporations. They're in it for the money. Not to further any concept of human rights or freedoms (individuals as 'consumers').

I can also understand religions. Once you have "The Truth", everyone else is either "saved" or "damned".

Countries as well. Of course >YOUR< method of government is "The Best". So exporting that is a "good" thing.

But will we, as a nation, ever look back at how we've treated other people and realize that waht is "best" for us is NOT what is "best" for others? And that the others have as much right to find their own "best" as we did?