ScholarWorks@성균관대학교

초록

This essay revisits Louis Hartz's critique of American exceptionalism to analyse the United States' contemporary alliance strategy, with a focus on recent political developments in South Korea. Drawing on the failed martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk Yeol, it highlights the enduring influence of colonial and Cold War-era legacies on US-ROK relations and critiques the familiar US framing of global competition as a binary struggle between democracy and authoritarianism. Central to the discussion is the 'Hartz Trap', a concept that underscores the limitations of a nation 'born equal' in comprehending the complex historical and political realities of non-Western nations that have had to become so. I contend that Washington's imperialist monologue impedes the development of a more reflective and sustainable alliance architecture in the 'Rest'. By offering a historically grounded analysis and policy recommendations, this piece seeks to guide US policymakers in fostering equal and inclusive partnerships in an increasingly post-Western world.

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