| With the end of the Cold War the United States became the sole superpower. When confronted with such a situation a hegemon has historically chosen to transform the system. U.S. administrations have chosen this option by pursuing a policy of "enlargement." By supporting the development of democracy and the free market system, America believes that it can establish a world order that will promote peace, stability, and prosperity. Most of America's efforts have focused on the newly transitioning countries in East Central Europe and Southeast Asia. The expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the formation of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation are examples of organizations that support the "enlargement" policy. Yet how does America hope to spread its ideals to areas that fall outside these regions and the powerful organizations that help to promote democracy and the free market system? This question will be applied to the newly independent states located in the Caspian Sea region, in particular Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, with some attention give to Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. This is a unique region due to a combination of characteristics, such as a dual transition, ethnic conflicts, natural resources and geopolitics. America is relying heavily on the development of natural resources to support its "enlargement" policy. Oil, however, has historically been inimical to democracy and economic development at the first stages of transition. The ethnic conflicts also pose a serious challenge as well. In the case of the Caspian Sea region the United States is confronted with trying to manage these conflicting goals and find a balance in its traditional foreign policy struggle between liberalism and realism. |
