In the past, most historians who have seen a connection between economic events and political or social events have considered it to be a material one. When viewed from this mechanistic perspective, there is a rational explanation for even the most seemingly irrational actions. Japan’s decision to attack the much more powerful United States during World War II is therefore explained by her need for South Pacific oil, while the present U.S. democratic imperialism is either driven by the desire to control Iraqi oil fields or defend the reserve status of the dollar.