The United States in the 20th Century; Democratic Beacon or Capitalistic Juggernaut?

The paper is to look at the Spanish American War in 1898 up to the present. I need Opinion, backed by history, in logical manner. I can obviously feel it is more of one or the other. This is a think piece that is to explain your own words whether the US is more capitalistic or democratic in its dealing with the rest of the world. Please someone HELP I need a lot of help.