Anti-Americanism II

[Pindar]

This is a poll with choices taken from the earlier thread. Multiple choices are possible.

[Fragony]

You forgot to add Europes sense of cultural superiority, you know, americans being looked down upon, figure that

[Odin]

Envy and its fashionable. If there is one precedent of history that seems to run universal, when you are on top of the mountain someone will try and knock you off, those that cant will pin prick you to death. The result of either is envitably the same, its mainly a question of when the tumble begins.

[Don Corleone]

Well, Pindar, you forgot the Law of Ichi. There is no Gah option. In reality, I think all of the answers above contribute at some level or another. Are you asking us to pick one or two over all others, or to vote for any we think play some role (which in my case would be every option up there, other than that it doesn't exist). Also, are we talking about negative feelings towards America or towards Americans because I actually think those come from 2 different sources.

[Rodion Romanovich]

Anti-Americanism refers to a hostility toward the U.S. as a nation, people or distinct culture set.

I think there are different causes for hostility towards the nation, than for hostility towards the people, and than for hostility towards the culture. I also think different groups and persons that dislike either of the nation, people or culture probably have different reasons for doing so. As Banquo's Ghost also pointed out in the other thread there's a third vagueness in the question, namely in terms of what degree of hostility we're talking about. I haven't voted in the poll.

[Pindar]

Well, Pindar, you forgot the Law of Ichi. There is no Gah option.

I'm opposed to inanity.

In reality, I think all of the answers above contribute at some level or another. Are you asking us to pick one or two over all others, or to vote for any we think play some role (which in my case would be every option up there, other than that it doesn't exist).

Vote for any/all you feel apply.

Also, are we talking about negative feelings towards America or towards Americans because I actually think those come from 2 different sources.

This is a simple definition I gave in the other thread: Anti-Americanism refers to a hostility toward the U.S. as a nation, people or distinct culture set. Any aspect or all aspects taken together are options for the label.

[Pindar]

I think there are different causes for hostility towards the nation, than for hostility towards the people, and than for hostility towards the culture.

Vote for what you think applies.

As Banquo's Ghost also pointed out in the other thread there's a third vagueness in the question, namely in terms of what degree of hostility we're talking about. I haven't voted in the poll.

I appeal to the basic sensus communis on hostility. In short, to the degree one would say X is hostile toward a Y the label can apply. If one is a little hostile then one can also be a little anti-American. The poll focuses on the root not the degree.

[Don Corleone]

Well, I voted without regard to the validity of the reason, only that it is in fact a reason. For example, I don't actually think the US engages in imperialism, but I do agree that it is a fairly common belief that we do in Europe.

There's also one poll option that I wish was up there that contributes a great deal: Ignorance about America and/or Americans. Many people around the world hate what they think they know, and they hate something that doesn't exist.

[Randarkmaan]

Have you seen the south park episode when the boys are in Afghanistan? Well, I think they bring up a pretty interesting point there. It goes like this:
Afghan kid: It is not just the Taliban that hates America, over a third of the world hates America!
Stan: But why? Why does a third of the world hate America?
Afghan kid: Because you don't realize that a third of the world hates you!

Anyway: Envy, fashionable, Bush, Disappointment in US policy and American (or perceived American) ignorance of the rest of the world.

[Stig]

Envy isn't one of them imo

I'm as Pindar would say it Anti-American, and I don't envy them, no I don't even want to envy them. Holland is far and far better

[Don Corleone]

I doubt world opinion is so homogenous on this issue that your personal views are even remotely statistically valid, Stig. I'm sure you don't envy the USA or individual Americans. But who's being provincial now?

[PanzerJaeger]

They're jealous, as they should be.

[Lemur]

It's safe to say that I don't agree with a single thing in this video, but it's worth watching, if only because it's the slickest piece of anti-American propaganda I've yet seen. Move over, Leni Riefenstahl!

[Hepcat]

Well NZ is quite anti-American, though nowadays people are starting to forget why.

The reason here is that in 1987 (I think it was) our government chose to ban anything nuclear, that includes nuclear warships and submarines from our ports.

The American administration at the time wasn't to happy and so they suspended all defence obligations to us. Which meant that if the Commies stormed little old NZ then the US would just say "I told you so" (in theory).

That suspension of defence obligations has remain in effect for all the following administrations, including the Bush administration. So yeah, thats why the USA are unpopular here. This makes us one of the few nations who managed to give the USA the big finger and get away perfectly ok.

[Don Corleone]

Do you see the irony, Hepcat, in resenting a nation for failing to provide you with protection when you specifically banned the means they rely upon for providing that protection? Do you really think we'd ever let old Gorby form the Zealand Soviet Socialist Republic?

[CrossLOPER]

It's safe to say that I don't agree with a single thing in this video, but it's worth watching, if only because it's the slickest piece of anti-American propaganda I've yet seen. Move over, Leni Riefenstahl!

If anything, it targets the certain rotten spots that tend to show up in the US government. No government is safe from this. That being said, although I'm inclined to share the disfavor of how things are done by administration and I am concerned about the spikes of support for people who openly oppose the teaching of science and encourage intolerance, this wonderfully done bit of propaganda goes further than I wish to.

[Don Corleone]

Propaganda? Did we watch the same video clip? I've never seen a more accurate, honest, compelling documentary in my entire life. Of course the title is a little off.

[Whacker]

I would also like to note for the sake of argument and on the record, that as an American I HATE that stupid song "American Pie" by Don McLean. Ugh.

[Soulforged]

This is a poll with choices taken from the earlier thread. Multiple choices are possible.

What about an option for Imperialism without the addendum of "without regards of its people". Imperialism is enough for me to dislike anything.

[PanzerJaeger]

Well NZ is quite anti-American, though nowadays people are starting to forget why.

The reason here is that in 1987 (I think it was) our government chose to ban anything nuclear, that includes nuclear warships and submarines from our ports.

The American administration at the time wasn't to happy and so they suspended all defence obligations to us. Which meant that if the Commies stormed little old NZ then the US would just say "I told you so" (in theory).

That suspension of defence obligations has remain in effect for all the following administrations, including the Bush administration. So yeah, thats why the USA are unpopular here. This makes us one of the few nations who managed to give the USA the big finger and get away perfectly ok.

Thats really no reason to dislike America. If you put restrictions on our ability to defend you, why bother?

[Whacker]

Well NZ is quite anti-American, though nowadays people are starting to forget why.

The reason here is that in 1987 (I think it was) our government chose to ban anything nuclear, that includes nuclear warships and submarines from our ports.

The American administration at the time wasn't to happy and so they suspended all defence obligations to us. Which meant that if the Commies stormed little old NZ then the US would just say "I told you so" (in theory).

That suspension of defence obligations has remain in effect for all the following administrations, including the Bush administration. So yeah, thats why the USA are unpopular here. This makes us one of the few nations who managed to give the USA the big finger and get away perfectly ok.

Define "nukuler"? Is that overall, or just weapons or as a mean for powering warships? It sounds like "overall", which would include nuclear powerplants, which if correct is moronic. Nuclear power may produce some hideous waste products, but overall if handled well it can be one of the safest and cleanest sources of energy we have right now. Check out wikipedia for an article on "pebble bed reactors", which produce relatively the same amount of waste, and if designed right are near impossible to have a meltdown.

[Lemur]

Propaganda? Did we watch the same video clip? I've never seen a more accurate, honest, compelling documentary in my entire life. Of course the title is a little off.

I was sufficiently impressed with the animation and editing that I Googled around to find the source. Here's their main web page. As I said, I don't agree with much of anything these guys are peddling, but they're very, very good. Behold the new face of political propaganda.

And they're relevant to the thread, since their entire message is anti-American.

[JR-]

envy best descibes the root cause.

"Hostility because of U.S. influence: economic, military, cultural." is a close second.

[JR-]

Well NZ is quite anti-American, though nowadays people are starting to forget why.

The reason here is that in 1987 (I think it was) our government chose to ban anything nuclear, that includes nuclear warships and submarines from our ports.

The American administration at the time wasn't to happy and so they suspended all defence obligations to us. Which meant that if the Commies stormed little old NZ then the US would just say "I told you so" (in theory).

That suspension of defence obligations has remain in effect for all the following administrations, including the Bush administration. So yeah, thats why the USA are unpopular here. This makes us one of the few nations who managed to give the USA the big finger and get away perfectly ok.

lets hope you guys don't get invaded then, because i doubt any nice non-nukular countries would be able to do much about it for you. :)

[Kralizec]

People dislike the USA for all sorts of reasons, so I decided to vote for every choice except the one on top.

[Husar]

The US have a nuclear policy?

I hope they build more reactors, Germany is about to prove that windmills won't do the trick.

[Leet Eriksson]

fashionable.

everyone hates the big guy on the block, for whatever reason. usually ignoring some of the good things the big guy brings about and going for the negative things to undermine him.

Before Anti-Americanism, there was Anti-Britishianism, Anti-Frenchism, Anti-Spanishism, Anti-Turkishism, anti-whatsitcalled ad infinitum

[Agent Smith]

fashionable.

everyone hates the big guy on the block, for whatever reason. usually ignoring some of the good things the big guy brings about and going for the negative things to undermine him.

Before Anti-Americanism, there was Anti-Britishianism, Anti-Frenchism, Anti-Spanishism, Anti-Turkishism, anti-whatsitcalled ad infinitum

QFT.

It is just a natural out-cropping of being the hegemon. Eventually, America will be overtaken in its position and people will be complaining about how China isn't doing enough to help third world countries.

[Pindar]

What about an option for Imperialism without the addendum of "without regards of its people". Imperialism is enough for me to dislike anything.

Choices were pulled from responses in the earlier thread.

[Slyspy]

I reject the term "anti-American" with it's overtones of homogeneous dislike. In fact in regards to Pindar's open-wide definition (or rather lack of definition) of the term I would say that there is actually no such thing.

Edit:

I also reject my own spelling!