Unfair to Napoleon.

• Author: Jordan, Matt
• Position: Letters to the Editor

In the months since the Bush Administration began its new doctrine of unilateral American imperialism, it has been tempting to think of George W. as a little Napoleon Bonaparte. The cover of the November issue was yet another example of what, at least psychologically, is a very fitting historical analogy. Yet, to be fair to Napoleon, this comparison is much too flattering for George W., who is certainly no great man of history despite what his handlers keep telling the public.

There was another Napoleon a little closer in stature to George W. who can provide us with a more helpful example for thinking through the implications of the new American imperialism and the buildup to Gulf War II: Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, a.k.a., "the little Napoleon," head of France's Second Empire.

Like Bush, Louis Napoleon was adept at conjuring up the spirits of the past--of his family and nation's legacy--and using them for his own purposes. After sweeping into power by way of a coup d'etat in 1851, he was accused of standing on his uncle's shoulders to disguise his own lack of stature, and of drugging the people with language borrowed from history to...