The Washington Outsider


Perceptions of the United States

Previously published on May 27, 2010


The perceived erratic nature of US foreign policy has often angered foreign interests and left people around the world feeling betrayed by America, yet there is also a feeling of betrayal shared by many Americans when it comes to criticism of our Nation, even when that criticism comes from pro-American foreigners. Part of this double-sided resentment results from Americans viewing their contributions to the world as a significant investment that is never good enough while foreign critics look to the US as a morally superior world leader that often falls short of the standards it sets. Even if these critics are pro-American, they often see the United States as a hegemonic force that is suppose to make the world a better place and, when we do not, they feel betrayed. On the flip side, Americans, as a democratic People, find the image of an American Empire unsettling, thus a conflict between foreign and American perspectives exists when considering the use of US power.

By our very nature, Americans are enterprising investors, so we seek out investments that we believe will create a sustainable path toward future success. Albeit sometimes poor investors, it was the view of Americans that by investing in the world through globalization and "free trade agreements," which often favored poorer nations above America, could be used to build a self-sustaining democratic order that would help maintain our Nation with the indirect return of a better world. Our moral superiority as the world sees it, which is the terminology we used to verbally justify our investments, was us recognizing our long-term interests and the unforeseen costs of our success. As such, we have actually always acted in our self interest as all nations do, yet we have tried to make the world a better place. Of course, like true investors, when we perceive a good investment, we stay the course; when we perceive a bad investment, we cut our losses.

Furthermore, at the end of the Cold War, America abruptly severed ties to many close allies, because we felt the world was ready to sustain itself as no credible global threat existed to undermine success and we needed to focus our attention on rebuilding our Nation. To foreign supporters of America, the Benevolent Empire had betrayed the world. This betrayal was further cemented during the George W. Bush era when preemption and disengagement ruled the White House while the Obama Administration has only begun to repair the damage done to our diplomatic relations. On the flip side, the world had resented US dominance and resisted our leadership since the fall of the USSR, despite how much America did during and after the Cold War to build up the international community and global economy while we continue to subsidize global security and stability with massive spending programs like our bloated military budget.

Of course, something bigger is going on. During the Cold War, all nations had to more or less align their national agendas toward two poles, i.e. the USA and the USSR, thus they forfeited their sovereign rights and were polarized. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States was the only true sovereign nation. During this time, the international community began to rebuild while continuing to forfeit their sovereign rights to the United States when it was in their best interests to do so, yet there was also a slow movement away from the monopolar international community to a multipolar international community. While the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 are often considered the beginning of a new era, it is the invasion of Iraq that actually marks the beginning of a new era where resovereignization started rapidly pushing nations away from American hegemonic power.

Consider the behavior of nations like North Korea, Iran, Sierra, and Venezuela over the last few years. These countries represent the negative aspects of this resovereignization process as they create instability for the United States and rally anti-Americanism, as well as anti-Westernism, versus filling the void where a hegemonic US ruled with democratic consensus. Venezuela, for example, is actually acting much like a "little America," trying to fight its own cold war with the United States taking on the role of Russia. Then again, there are also positive aspects to this process. Japan and Great Britain, as bold examples, want a more equal partnership with America; therefore, they represent an area where shared world leadership can bloom. Unfortunately, when things go wrong, much of the world still blames America, because the world is accustom to the United States intervening while Americans feel we should be able to pursue our interests without the rest of the world resisting due to our history.

In many respects, America still needs to be the leader in the international community. On the other hand, the international community is democratizing toward a democratic community of nations-states versus one ruled by the US. Although America has long pushed for this process, Americans resists change as the process of resovereignization of our Cold War allies means the US must work harder to exercise its will. The reason American and foreign perceptions on US power conflict is that the world in many respects is addicted to America. Like a recovering drug addict, it hates, but loves America; needs it, yet doesn't want it; carves our leadership, but rejects our dominance; feeds on us, yet undermines our sustainability. On the flip side, Americans have long enjoyed our dominate role and our ability to freely exercise our will as a nation, thus social inertia dictates we too resist shifts in global power. Moreover, American and foreign views on the role of US power may conflict, yet it has benefited all of us and will continue to do so as long as the US remains the world's strongest nation.
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      • Why the World Needs to Reinvest in America
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      • US Influence: The Value of American Citizenship Around the World
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        • On Questioning the Need to Address Economic Disparity
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        • Capitalism Versus Socialism
        • The Negatives of Socialism
      • Stealing Intellectual Property
      • Changing Business Models: From Enduring Entities to Cash Cows
      • Consumer and Investor Evolution in the Great Recession of 2008-09
      • Dealing with the Issues Surrounding the Patenting of Self-replicating Technologies
      • Is Technology Threatening Jobs?
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      • The Role of Education in Creating a More Dynamic Workforce
      • Primary Education in America and the Changing Needs of Society
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      • Ideas for Improving the United States Education System
      • Are Teachers Treated as Professionals?
      • Is Engaging Parents in Their Children's Education a Major Factor in Turning Around Low-performing Schools?
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      • The Senate should not do more to limit the powers of the Judicial Branch
      • On the DOJ Justifying the “targeted Killings” of US Citizens
      • Corporations Do Not Have the Same Rights as US Citizens >
        • Corporate America Pleads the First
      • Discussing the Constitutionality of Per Capita Taxes
      • Was the California Supreme Court Right in Legalizing Gay Marriage?
      • Should the Bible Continue to Be Used for Swearing-in Ceremonies and in Courtrooms?
      • Should Religious Student Clubs Be Allowed in Public Schools?
      • Should the Government Control Talk Radio to Make it More "balanced"?
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        • Are We Losing Our Second Amendment Rights
      • Eminent Domain Used Against Banks
      • Should a Woman Have the Right to Choose Abortion? >
        • Should Fathers Be Able to Opt Out of Parenthood?
      • Should Smoking Be Allowed in Public Places?
      • Is Teen Driving a Right or a Privilege?
      • Should US Companies Be Required to Provide Equal Pay to Women and Men?
      • Is eighteen too young to vote?
      • First Amendment Rights: The Priviledge of The Press
      • Do Mandatory Seat Belt Laws Violate Individual Rights?
      • Should cell phone use be banned while driving?
      • Dealing with the link between video game violence and children's behavior
      • Should police have to submit to routine drug and alcohol testing?
      • Public schools should not impose mandatory drug testing on students
      • Are High Taxes on Cigarettes Proper?
      • Should pharmacists be required to violate their religious beliefs and dispense the "Morning After Pill?"
      • Should school counselors uphold patient privacy or report students who become unstable?
  • For the record
    • Ongoing Issues >
      • Red Dawn in Ukraine: Understanding the Actions of Russia >
        • On Russia’s Coercion of Ukraine
        • The Russian Annexation of Crimea in the Eyes of the World
        • Putin Has Overplayed His Hand With Crimea
        • Ukraine in Terms of Resovereignization
        • Avoiding a Conflict Between America and Russia Over Ukraine
        • What Drives the World’s Interest in Russia’s Actions in Ukraine
      • China’s Aggressive Pursuit of Interests Demands a Global Response
      • Iran Makes a Deal: A Start to a Long-term Diplomatic Effort to Denuclearize Iran >
        • On the Future of a Nuclear Negotiations with Iran
      • America's Sphere of Influence: Retaking South-East Asia >
        • Power in Asia: Looking at the Power Shift in Japan
        • The China Paradox: Why America is Worried About China
      • Assessing US Support of Israel >
        • Tread Softly Israel for a Heavy Step May Be Your Undoing
      • Understanding the Dysfunctional Nature of the US-Pakistani Relationship
      • Recognizing the True Threat Behind the Current Unrest in the Middle East >
        • Reacting to the Escalating Crackdown in Syria
      • Assessing the Threat of North Korea >
        • Answering North Korea's Call for Food Aid: Breaking the Vicious Cycle Forced Upon Us by a Warring Nation
        • Dealing with the Restarting of the Korean War
        • North Korea Attacks South Korea
      • Dealing with the Ill-effects of Climate Change
      • Racial Inequality and Oppression Do Truly Exist in Today's Society
      • Should energy independence be a high priority in the US?
      • An overview of world wide Human Rights violations
      • Nuclear Threat from Pakistan
      • Return of The Cold War?
    • World >
      • Coverage of FIFA World Cup is a Chance to Focus on Poverty >
        • The FIFA World Cup Offers Benefits for More Than Brazilian Soccer Fans
        • FIFA Can Bring Brazilians Together as a Nation
      • Being Prepared for Any Potential Dangers at the FIFA World Cup Games
      • Treading Softly on the Politicizing of the 2014 Sochi Olympics Over Gay Rights
      • Why NATO Operations in Libya Lack a Well-defined Mission
      • China Hijacks the Web
      • Lessons from the Great Japanese Earthquake of 2011
      • A Modernizing Cuba Offers an Opportunity for Capitalists
      • The Seeds of Democracy Take Root in the Middle East
      • The Rebirth of Democracy in Tunisia
      • What May Come from the Hurt Revolution in Libya
      • Responding to the Violence of Qaddafi and Other Besieged Leaders
      • Embracing the Rise of a Democratic Egypt
      • Protests in Afghanistan Turn Deadly for Coalition Forces and UN Personnel
      • Haiti: Another Failing Humanitarian Investment
      • What Karzai Can Learn from Calderon
      • START II: A Necessary, Easy Success that Nearly Failed
      • Why Does the U.S. Government Support Independence for the Breakaway Serb Territory of Kosovo but Oppose Independence for the Breakaway Georgian Territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia?
      • Iraq's Electric Issues: When Human Wants Trump Economic Sense
      • The International Community Reacts to Wikileaks: We May Be Moving Toward a Third World War in Cyberspace
      • On Climate Gate
      • Assessing Obama's Afghanistan War strategy
      • 2009 Iranian Presidential Election: The Fallout
      • Resolving Sri Lankan Conflict through Free Media
      • What are the Global Consequences of Russia's Invasion of Georgia
      • The War in Iraq: an assessment of President Bush's surge strategy
      • Drug War: Actions of Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador in terms of Resovereignization
      • Is the Iraq Refugee Crisis America's Responsibility?
      • US support for a united Kosovo, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia: why?
      • Should the US withdraw from Iraq?
      • Setting a Timetable for Troop Withdrawal from Iraq is a Terrible Mistake
      • War on Terrorism is needed
    • Law and Order >
      • Rape in the US Military
      • Ethics of Force-feeding Guantanamo Bay Detainees
      • Reacting to the Aftermath of the Tucson Massacre
    • Economy >
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      • Arizona Budget Cuts Lead to Lethal Healthcare Rationing:
      • Shameful Collection Practices of American Banks
      • The Fed Reveals it Actually Undertook an International Bailout
      • Thoughts on French Budgetary Reforms
      • Seniors Start Businesses
      • The Case for Slimming Down the US Military to Make it Better
      • Looking at the Obama Administration's New Approach to Economic Policy
      • Should the Government Regulate the Credit Card Industry?
      • The Big Three's Big Chance
      • The Unhealthy Tone of the Healthcare Reform Debate
      • Should the federal government offer a bailout for home owners?
      • Environmentalists: Do They Do More Good Than More Harm?
      • Responding to Scott Walker's Contribution to the War on Unions
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      • America Needs to Focus on the Impending Fiscal Crisis
      • Reacting to the Bush Era-tax Cut Extension Deal
      • Quitting the Obama Revolution: The Fickle Nature of American Politics
      • John Boehner's Circus
      • Is the Fed Putting Itself in Jeopardy?
      • Wikileaks Goes After the US State Department
      • Discussing the Political Environment Surrounding the 2011 Budget Debate
      • What the Democrats Can Do to Ensure a GOP Year in 2012
      • What the 2010 Midterm Actually Said
      • Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper
      • Democrats Minus Nancy Pelosi Equals Opportunity
      • Terrorists Go Postal: The Terrorism Threat Reexamined
      • Victory in the 2008 Election: Reaction to Barack Obama'a Win >
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      • President Obama's first one hundred days
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      • History judges the George W. Bush Administration
      • Should the next US President focus on domestic issues?
      • President Bush, should he resign or be impeached
      • Should the Ban on Government Sponsored Assassinations be Repealed
    • Off Topic >
      • A Face of America’s Greatest Generation
      • A Story About a Man Who Made the World a Better Place
      • Making the World a Better Place
      • The Bipolar Ethical Nature of Google
      • Learning Computer Plays Jeopardy
      • Verifying Medicine is the Real Thing
      • Taking a Practical Step Forward in Optical Computing Using Slow Light
      • Scientists Take a Closer Look at How Lithium Batteries Work
      • Remarking on the First Blizzard of the 2010-2011 Winter Season
      • Driving in the Snow: Acceleration is the Key
      • How People in Northwest PA Are Coping with the Increasing Cost of Oil
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