"Consent of the governed" is the key phrase When the British Empire was at its height it was supported and honored by the populace in almost all of its colonies. Many of them retained their loyalty towards Empire long after independence, and still retain the Queen as Head of State.
Reviewing the above it seems that Empire *requires* the loyalty and support of the governed, or it falls apart.
As for the issue of political control: of course the US exerts political control outside its borders.
Besides, look at the permanent seats on the Security Council, any one of which can veto any proposal supported by the entire rest of the world. What is the purpose of that, if not political control over others?
"... They ne'er cared for us
yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses
crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to
support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act
established against the rich, and provide more
piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain
the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and
there's all the love they bear us."
-- Shakespeare: Coriolanus, Act 1, scene 1
