just a tought. in modern politics imperialism usually means american imperialism. so the negative connotations will damage america. this is fine with chomsky, so he is using it, promoting it. the international socialists and communists always wanted to destroy america anyway.

but with 'empire', the association might not automatically be with america, but with the british, holy roman, roman empires, which is a big no-no. those things must be kept outside of the overton window.