The UK Telegraph writes that, taken as a whole, the US is rather a force for good in the world than otherwise. Shame about the perception, though:
(The) results of a poll by Telegraph.co.uk show, its standing in Europe is low. In Britain, France, Germany and Russia, more people thought that the United States was a force for evil than for good.
The wildcard in the poll was Italy, where 49 per cent (compared to 27 per cent) thought that the US was a force for good.
Admittedly, strong religious views may have influenced respondents’ willingness to label a country as “evil”. This rise of anti-American sentiment should be of concern; it indicates that more must be done to win hearts and minds the world over.
To which a ruffled US commentariat replies, collectively, “Really? Why?”
If a society that has willingly adopted socialism (eg, the EU) thinks America is a force for evil in the world, it’s probably a good indicator that we’re doing something right.
They really DO dislike us viscerally, in general. We are collectively wealthier, more successful, harder working, and more generous. But watch them kowtow when they need us…
Exactly my thoughts. “Really? Why?”
Well said. GMTA
From what others have said about European trips in the 90′s and 80′s, they only loved us for the nice and stable American Dollar and the fact that the tourists brought them. Still that same contempt. It works well both ways, as Instapundit put it, we dislike them too as really, we’re the Anti-Europe. Currently, the only good exports are Top Gear and some really cool pots from Switzerland. Maybe Ferrari.
I like the fact that as a college grad, I got a job right away because of a strong economy that encourages production. I am glad that only 25% was taken out in tax. I’m glad that spending money allows me to have a nice computer, airconditioning, and a car (a sporty one that produces much CO2!).
Flatlander is right. There was a study by a Swedish think-tank that compared poor in this country to the poor in the EU. They were a might bit shocked that the poor in this country had a standard of living *above* the middle class in Europe. Something about taking home more than 50% of your earnings helps.
Given the opportunity to immigrate to the US or any other country, what do you think the results would be? 75%, 85%, 95% USA?
“Opinion towards America has become steadily more hostile throughout the presidency of George W Bush, with the Iraq war probably being the single most important factor.”
It would be interesting to compare this to the results of a similar poll taken pre-9/11. I know that following a huge spike in support for the US immediately after 9/11 here, there would have followed a sharp drop. Just thinking that it would be interesting to be able to compare the numbers.
“Senator Barack Obama emerged as Europe’s favourite candidate for America’s presidency today when a poll conducted for Telegraph.co.uk gave him 52 per cent support across five of the world’s richest nations, including Britain. “
So since Europe likes Obama better than Hillary (who I don’t think was even mentioned in the article), shouldn’t that mean that y’all would prefer Hillary over Obama? [snark off]
Why would the comparison be so interesting? For the most part, we’ve almost always been thought poorly of, regardless of our benevolence and/or our meddling. I’m guessing here, but, I’d gather most that read this blog could care less about who Europe favors for the Democratic Candidate. Why should that even matter? Equating the opinion of America abroad as hostile because of Bush would be to acknowledge that we care what they think of us. Doesn’t matter, in the end we always seem to be at the forefront of charity in the world, no matter WHAT they’all think of us. What does matter, is that we’re actually ALLOWED to think whatever we want and actually say it publicly without fear of becoming a political prisoner, something most of those abroad that are bashing us have just recently gained an appreciation for. I for one don’t give a damn what the rest of the world thinks of us.
Our eldest daughter, living in Heidelberg, Germany, attending a European medical service members’ conference, reports our “rep” is on the UP-swing.
They had many speakers from each of NATO members and she was favorably impressed with all, mostly the German who’d written a paper stating that Europeans and Americans are more alike than not. His thesis apparently was that they possess attitudes and feelings that are much more consistent with U.S. citizens than they expected.
Good News, I thought! It’s always nice to be well-thought of, even when their approval isn’t “needed”.
P.S. We’re so very happy at our house to report that this self-same Army Captain-daughter will be coming home to our area this summer! #1 off-spring will manage Madigan Army Hospital lab near Ft. Lewis, Puget Sound area residents for first time in 8 year Army stint. Ft. Bragg, Bosnia, Baghdad, D.C., Germany and now Washington will be home of our little Annie and hubby.
Mom and dad are both pleased!
Having spent close to 10 years of my life in Europe, I have to say I have always liked it there but some of their folks I like a lot more than others. I had an interesting conversation on Friday with a very pro- US Swede. ‘Course he works for a rather large European conglomerate that has a decidedly large defense industry piece too, which could have influence the conversation being he was here on business…
As for the Euro taste in Obama- one would suspect that BHO is loved there because he is a freaking socialist once you peel the onion back on his voting record and rhetoric, and he is a “peace in our time” kinda guy.
I think that there is a change going on in the Continent. I have been to France several times and the welcome has normally been cool, reserved or, at times, downright rude. I speak some passable Franglais and can normally converse with folks as long as we don’t start getting into technical jargon. Back in 1997 or 98 I was in Toulon and there were some chaps walking down the street that made a comment, right out loud while looking at us, about the stupid Americans. I really enjoyed their faces when I replied, “Ce peut être vrai mais vous n’êtes pas gentil.” Absolute shock. An American that speaks French – are they allowed to do that?
Last summer I visited again and it was a world apart. The Big “E” visited Cannes and the reception there could not have been better. Folks were friendly and seemed genuinely happy to have us there. Some sailors were told that they could not pay their checks for dinner and that it was on the house. I have found that most folks, after a few drinks, secretly intimate that they would prefer to live in the US. What I have been told is that they may not always agree with what the US does, but at least we do something.
I think Lex hit on something a while ago that basically the native people are feeling more and more squeezed in their own homes by the migration of people from foreign lands. After a while, home doesn’t feel like home anymore. I can only assume that many of the folks in France feel like the US is actually doing something about issues around the world and I also believe that the election of Sarkozy is probably an artifact of that.
Remember the lyrics from Randy Neumann’s song “Political Science?” “They all hate us anyhow, so why not drop the big one now?……Boom goes Paris, Boom goes London……..”
From the above post and the comments below it one can see that there are Richard Heads both sides of the pond.
Though the commments about the EU are spot on, damn commies.
A friend of mine just came back from a two year tour working with NATO in Turkey. His experience with NATO: The national representatives (including himself) would sit around a table when business was discussed. Everyone would remain silent or non-committal on anything and everything until either the British or US agreed to do it. Occasionally, when neither the US nor Britain spoke up, the other countries would say, “We’re looking for US leadership on this one”.
To quote Churchill, “You have enemies? Good for you. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”
For a good summary of Euro – US discussions, goto Lex’s next youngest post, click on the link, and watch the video in the middle.
Who stands for which side depends exactly on your view. Hint: the king is always the other.
Don’t tar us all with the same brush! I think you might be surprised at the support you Yanks have amongst us ‘normal’ Brits. We may sometimes criticise you (as you do us) but no country is perfect and sometimes all countries deserve criticism, but at base level we remember that more joins than separates us and we remember the number of times we have stood together, as we still do. Take no notice of the shrill voices, or our weird sense of humour for if necessary we will still be with you.
I hope you’re right, Brit. Sometimes we all need a bit of steadying.
Brit, I have always know that the cousins who make up the old Kingdom, at least the English speaking ones (and that assuredly includes those fine ones Down Under
) are the only true friends we can always count on, as I’m sure we will always be there for you.
Lee, Re your comment # 6 above… very well said … as for me … I don’t give a rat’s patootie what the flippen Euros think of us… maybe with the exception of the Brits who gave us the silly Benny Hill, and the insane Monty Python gang … and the wild card Italians… I’ve always had affinity for most things Italian…can’t pinpoint the exact reason though … must think on it. Best
Snake eater: “I’ve always had affinity for most things Italian…can’t pinpoint the exact reason though … must think on it.”
What’s not to like?
I do have to wonder how many other countries take polls to find out what the rest of the world thinks of them. Or care so much about the results. I mean, really, does Peru obsess over whether we, the EU, whoever thinks they’re a “force for good” or “evil”?
Snake, funny thing is, I never really considered the Brits “European”, at least not in my narrow mind. As for Benny Hill and Monty Python, concur whole heartedly.
I would never insult a Brit by calling them “European.”
And Snake, I’m with you, I do like Italy and her peoples.
“Arrivederci America.” -Fr. Guido Sarducci
My grandparents on my mom’s side came here from England in the teens, my dad’s side came from Scotland the same time. I have always wanted to go and check it out, so understandably I have a fondness for GB.
As far as Italy? The cars, the women and the food.
Ok, Baretta makes a few good weapons too.
Nose,
Guido Sarducci was fun
Been a while since most of you have been in Italy, eh?
Try living here in the new NAVEUR.
Said ADM Ulrich, Naples is just like, say, San Diego.
Psychotically deluded, he was.
Snake, on that “don’t think on it,” don’t.
This whole thing reminds me of the anti-police sentiment in the late 60′s. I remember the t-shirts and bumper stickers saying, “The next time you are in trouble, call a Hippie!”
Or the days in Norfolk when signs on the lawns said, “Sailors and dogs, keep off the grass.” Legend has it that one payday the Navy paid everyone in cash, with $2 bills. When the local cash registers filled up with 2′s, the signs came down.
If they don’t like us Yanks, we should keep our money and our support to ourselves. Of course I know that won’t work, global economy and all, but it is nice to dream sometimes.
Nav, I fully agree. We should start with S Korea.
Heard the latest? Warnings of violent demonstrations because the Korean government is importing US beef. The Koreans believe it to be tainted with mad cow (anyone who has ever visited a market in S Korea knows the, um, extent of their meat inspection process and will see the irony).
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=62530&archive=true
Since the 2002 tank accident near the DMZ, there has been a rash of incidents provoked by Koreans (assaults, kidnappings, rape, stabbing) against servicemembers with no repercussions for the Koreans involved in the incidents.
Screw them. And Zane, get out of Naples and tour the country portion of Italy. Especially parts of Tuscany. Go north and away from the large touristy cities. It’s infinitely better. Bring a translation dictionary if you don’t speak Italian, though…folks outside the cities don’t usually speak English.
Zane, Your chronic dyspepsia and glass half empty pessimism notwithstanding…would you consider it fair to use… say Newark or Detroit as examples of what its like to live in the USA ? … not likely I think… then why use Naples ?… an equally unfair example in this case… Best
PS, I said ” must( not don’t ) think in it” in my comment # 17 above
I made mention of this before, but I was in France about a year ago on vacation and managed to get quite lost. Eventually, I stopped a couple and asked them in halting French approximately where I was at the time. They responded in English, and a short conversation ensued. The outcome of this was they told me “Don’t listen to what the [media] says, not all French hate Americans.”
This is sort of the same thing that I’ve gotten from being away from Yokosuka and Sagamino in Japan – people don’t hate us (Americans) at all, they hate it when service members act the fool.
I give this no more weight than I do to the much vaunted polls supposedly gauging the public approval rating of the President. If you ask someone if they don’t like something, then of course you’re going to get a negative answer. Structure leading questions right and you are invariably going to get an answer that meets with your expectations.
So the Europeans don’t like us according to a poll? Okay. Tell them the same thing that a Master Chief I once worked for told someone (with raised eyebrow and a voice that could have brought a snowstorm to the surface of the sun) who said something particularly stupid during a maintenance meeting:
“Your… input… is duly noted.”