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espoir
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Anti-Americanism
March 29, 2008 - 10:59 PM
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Anti-American thought has existed almost as soon as the nation was born, and has been reaching new heights in our day due to a variety of factors, namely the American "War on Terror" campaign in Iraq and Afghanistan. Anti-American sentiment finds itself in almost every geographical region of the globe, such as Asia, Europe, the Middle-East, and North America (even in the U.S. itself). What's your take on Anti-Americanism? What 's anti-Americanism like in your country?
This post was edited on: 2008-03-29 at 10:59 PM by: espoir
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Nick Yeo
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Re: Anti-Americanism
April 7, 2008 - 11:22 AM
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I can't speak for everyone but I feel that there's a distinction between being anti-Americanism (which I understand to be against the policies and actions of the United States as a country) and being anti-American (which would be against americans as people).
Both are over-generalizations however - not all policies that the US enacts are good or bad, some do more harm than other; and likewise, every action that an American is not representative of all Americans.
But this is what happens when you are the only legitimate superpower in the world - from a financial, cultural and military perspective.
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espoir
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Re: Anti-Americanism
April 7, 2008 - 08:13 PM
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DeepEndZen wrote:
I can't speak for everyone but I feel that there's a distinction between being anti-Americanism (which I understand to be against the policies and actions of the United States as a country) and being anti-American (which would be against americans as people).
Let me clarify. If being anti-American is simply disapproval of America's policies, then wouldn't that make most Americans themselves anti-American? Anti-Americanism is beyond particular features of America, and refers to distaste of America as a whole, its people, policies, culture, etc. It's similar to anti-Semitism, except without the taboos associated with the latter. I hope that helps.
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Whateverman
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Re: Anti-Americanism
June 1, 2008 - 12:55 PM
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Anti-Americanism is beyond particular features of America, and refers to distaste of America as a whole, its people, policies, culture, etc. It's similar to anti-Semitism, except without the taboos associated with the latter. I hope that helps.
Then there aren't many anti-Americans in America (where I grew up and currently live).
Most of the people I have known in my life (Chinese, Iranians, Afghanis, Canadians, Cubans, Africans, Americans, etc) have a "middle of the road" view of America. We do some things very well, and we're bad at others; there are good aspects to American society, and there are aspects that should be changed.
I don't know a single well educated person who is anti-AnyCountry. It's much too difficult to sum up an entire culture with a single word, such as "good" or "bad"
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Ioana
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Re: Anti-Americanism
July 4, 2008 - 12:25 PM
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There isn't much of an anti-American current in Romania - it's quite the opposite situation, I might say...
Today is the 4th of July, the American Independence day, and the Romanian authorities blocked the access to one boulevard in the capital city (Bucharest), so that the Americans can celebrate it.
It wouldn't be that bad, except for the fact that traffic in Bucharest is quite heavy already...
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aya abdelrahim
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Re: Anti-Americanism
July 7, 2008 - 10:43 AM
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Hi all , this is the first time for me to post here , i just loged in few hours ago and had a good impression about the idea of the site..
well , about the Anti-Americanism issue , i think in my personal perspective that overhere in Egypt most of the people refuse the domination of the American policies & intervensions which include to some extend the American identity that spread all over the world in deffrent aspects , some of the people are trying to avoid colliding with the American current hoping to have a personal & independent identity , and others don't even see a problem with getting through the current. it differ from one person to another, but in general i do admit that there is a kind of anti-Americanism here.
This post was edited on: 2008-07-07 at 05:55 PM by: RobertM (Moderator)
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Always Colin
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Re: Anti-Americanism
July 13, 2008 - 12:00 AM
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I generally don't agree with the american policy system or how it is a major actor on the world scene.
I don't even agree that it is this massive superpower who holds hegemony over our world. If you look to the east you will see an oil hungry China who has 1 trillion in savings, huge exports, and a booming economy. The US has only enough savings to get it through the next year, huge imports, and it's economy is slowing down (housing crisis, dollar). Also, the European Union has the worlds largest consumer base and the largest markets. It's supranational organization of nations catapults it past the United States on most political matters.
For me, American policy seems to be gobble up the resources that you can while slowing moving towards a protectionist view. For that, I'm anti-American.
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A. Tsang
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Re: Anti-Americanism
July 13, 2008 - 10:16 AM
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>oil hungry China who has 1 trillion in savings,
>huge exports, and a booming economy.
But don't forget China still has thousands of people struggling in poverty. There are still a lot of corruption within local authorities. The inflation is now sky high hurting everyone in China. The economist are worring China's economy after the Olympics. Furthermore, the middle class of China is flocking to migrate and shifting their wealth to Western counties.
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A. Tsang
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Re: Anti-Americanism
July 13, 2008 - 10:28 AM
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One of the reason that I voted (maybe many other New Zealand voters) Labour's Helen Clark as Prime Minister is because she objected War On Terror in high profile. All New Zealand media overwhelmingly showing no support to the war, broadcasting and publishing materials mostly criticizing the US force.
I'm sure anti-Americanism will cool down when there's a significant change in US's foreign policy in near future.
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FaerieGirl
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Re: Anti-Americanism
July 14, 2008 - 11:15 AM
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I think that anti-Americanism is as justifiable as anti-whatever-other-type-of-policies. That being not justifiable in a lot of cases.
Let's face it - we can all hate the US policies as much as we can, but the truth is a lot of its policies are similar to the ones in other countries (including our own a lot of the times). Analyzing US policies on their own leads to irrational hatred, IMO.
I am not trying to say that people who have issues with US policies after thorough analysis are irrationally against them - I'm speaking about the people who, for social or mediatic influence, hate the system with little basis.
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Always Colin
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Re: Anti-Americanism
July 14, 2008 - 06:00 PM
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cheetaih wrote:
>oil hungry China who has 1 trillion in savings,
>huge exports, and a booming economy.
But don't forget China still has thousands of people struggling in poverty. There are still a lot of corruption within local authorities. The inflation is now sky high hurting everyone in China. The economist are worring China's economy after the Olympics. Furthermore, the middle class of China is flocking to migrate and shifting their wealth to Western counties.
Good point, however when you compare the numbers you will notice that China has (percentage wise) a bit above normal of poverty stricken people over the total population. I can see why they would fear China's stability after the Olympanics, but they have that pillow of savings to catch their fall.
China's economy is an interesting thing all the same and there will be alot of different views and camps of economic thoughts. Thanks for your insight.
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Melissa Leigh Snowden
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Re: Anti-Americanism
August 2, 2008 - 05:02 PM
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In general, "America" is a European-influenced region, including Canada. The U.S. has always shared much in common with the nations that inspired its foundation, including England. It just happened to take a different turn than the parliamentary system, and followed a Roman-influenced governmental system (a republic).
The 'anti-Americanism that started from the nation's beginning' (as you mention) can be divided into two categories: internal and external dissidence.
External consisted of America departing from a monarchal ruling. Internal were civilians who fought for independence from the monarchy and those who fought for self-government.
Anti-Americanism is an unfortunate and poorly-affixed phrase popularized by a selected president (George W. Bush) who had an extremely low approval rating and did NOT represent the ideals and policies of a majority of Americans. Americanism, I think, is appropriated by which officials are in power at the time: For ever five years that a republican (one who advocates business) is in the White House, there is one year for a democrat (who advocates civic responsibility).
What is popularly thought to be "American" -- consumerism and industrialization -- is something that can't easily be undone by Americans who know it's taken over the way we (Americans) live; it gets supported and carried on by those who have money and can further their agendas and power. The people who can influence international + public policies are also the reason it's so difficult for the minority to have a powerful influence -- in other words, it's unfair representation that is hard enough for Americans to overcome domestically.
Thanks,
MLS
This post was edited on: 2008-08-02 at 05:06 PM by: melissasnowden
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Whateverman
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Re: Anti-Americanism
August 2, 2008 - 05:38 PM
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Anti-Americanism is an unfortunate and poorly-affixed phrase popularized by a selected president (George W. Bush) who had an extremely low approval rating and did NOT represent the ideals and policies of a majority of Americans.Although I agree with the generality of your post here, I take exception to this passage.
GW Bush was elected precisely because he represented the ideals of a majority of Americans. They wanted a plain talking religious man with conservative point of view. They wanted a cowboy who kicked ass, used the words Jesus and faith and family values, and had a keen interest in putting America back on top of the food chain.
He is exactly what Americans asked for. And it took a very long time before the majority listened to the minority who warned about the apparent changing justifications for the war.
No, we got just what we wanted - sadly. And it exacerbates the tragedy to claim that we were somehow mislead or "fooled" into choosing the wrong candidate. To absolve the voters who kept him in office for 2 terms of responsibility is an insult to democracy, intelligence and the American way of life.
America's prestige has taken a roundhouse to the face. To pretend the average voter had nothing to do with this is a travesty.
This post was edited on: 2008-08-02 at 05:39 PM by: whateverman
This post was edited on: 2008-08-03 at 02:03 PM by: whateverman
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