> It's probably more realistic to believe that neither countries really want to be world hegemon, or at least to bear all the responsibilities such an arrangeme

> It's probably more realistic to believe that neither countries really want to be world hegemon, or at least to bear all the responsibilities such an arrangement implies. As an American I'd say the US has very mixed feelings about this, but isn't 100% opposed. You're right that the US doesn't exactly want to be world police, not most Americans anyway. That said, there's definitely a certain sentiment of, "if not us, then who?" and seeing acting as world police to be the lesser evil. Like in principle, Americans want to be somewhat more isolationist (especially militarily), particularly since the Iraq war was such a disaster, but then something like the Syrian civil war happens and many Americans feel an obligation to help out the 'right' side. The whole "shining beacon on a hill" thing is ingrained into the American mindset. Even people on the left within American politics who are self-critical of US history just have the stance of, "well, the US hasn't really behaved like that in the past, but it should".