Debate Battle! America in the world, good or bad?
December 11th 2007 18:32
As an American I am wanting a debate as to whether American influence in the world right now is a good thing or a bad thing. Of course, there are nuances that would say both, and it is impossible to say that American influence is either all good or all bad. What I want to draw out is the following:
What is good about American influence? Culture, films, food, political influence, perceptions, etc...and what is bad along the same points. I am certain had this question been posed prior to the "Bush years" it would have drawn a much more American-friendly repsonse then I expect it to now. There are many, many things I love about my country. And many things I do not. Lately, the "do not's" seem to be growing much faster.
So join in, and tell me....is American influence worldwide good or bad?
What is good about American influence? Culture, films, food, political influence, perceptions, etc...and what is bad along the same points. I am certain had this question been posed prior to the "Bush years" it would have drawn a much more American-friendly repsonse then I expect it to now. There are many, many things I love about my country. And many things I do not. Lately, the "do not's" seem to be growing much faster.
So join in, and tell me....is American influence worldwide good or bad?
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Comment by Harry
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Comment by Damo
Film and Television.
Money and Wealth
Foreign Policy
All three have been areas of friction since the end of WW2.
The world does not look upon America the same way as American look up itself.
America has the same problem thatevery large visible nation or empire has. What is good domestically does not always translate into what is good for the rest of the world.
Comment by Norm
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They've all been neutered.
Comment by Harry
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Comment by Lilla
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I am going to be brave enough to be the first to say that I do not find the American influence on the world a positive influence at all ... and have to agree with Arnold, that so much diversity and true culture continues to be lost in trying to attain the American dream, which ultimately harbours little virtue, only empty consumerist promises.
To me, it is just another greedy colonial outpost that got lucky and I believe it did so, because of the one thing I do find positive about America; and that is that as a nation it honours the earth once a year in Thanksgiving. Mighty powerful stuff ... too bad you guys can't elect a government who'll come clean and temper that with real pollution control.
Lilla ...
Comment by Mal
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Is that enough?
One McWashington, hold the apples.
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Comment by postmoderncritic
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I don't mind the advent of McDonalds and similar franchises everywhere, as I think there is still room for plenty of local culture. I am, however, concerned that America is setting a bad example by not signing the Kyoto Protocol and being reluctant to support the slowing of climate change.
Comment by Norm
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Comment by Lester Caudill
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She has come to the rescue of other nation to save them, and their heritage, now without any thanks. Seems to me America should be appreciate, and her kindness remember.
Where do most of the people in the world want to live? America. So I think America is a very good influence. Other wise why would or friends love us so much?And our enemies desire so greatly to destroy us?
Comment by Damo
Jingoists may disagree but the history of every empire has been to rise up, appear to be invincible and then implode.
There was a time when the British Empire claimed to rule the world but it imploded.
China and India will take up new positions as the dominant world powers and financial capitals. Even Russia has the potential to regain much of its former glory.
Now we can be very nostalgical and weepy about the end of the USA super power, super economy status but like the collapse of the British Empire, The Roman Empire and the Mongolian Empire its end is inevitavble.
I see nothing more special about the USA than any other nation on the planet.
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Comment by Lester Caudill
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They are cancers in America eating away at here foundations.
Like it or not America is still the best thing this earth has to offer.
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Comment by Jeff Musall
As a liberal Democrat, an Atheist, and a card-carrying member of the ACLU, I must represent evil incarnate to you...just don't forget, I'm an American too, and I want an America I can be proud of...where science is honored over dogma, where it isn't a de facto requirement to be a "chrisitan" to get elected to high office, where children aren't taught that dinosaurs and people lived together, where the high promise of stem cell research can be realized, where dominionists don't thrust American foriegn policy down the throat of the rest of the world, where I could actually travel the world and feel proud of my country. I want an America that joins the rest of the developed world and provides universal health care to all its citizens. An America that doesn't spy on it's own people and spread fear and hate. An America that under no circumstances condones torture.
I might agree with you that America has a "cancer." But I would say that it is the dogmatic right, personified by the most universally disliked president in American history, and in those who without question or reservation blindly follow him.
Comment by Damo
Like it or not your view of the USA is not shared by the rest of the world.
That is because you are not on the recieving end of America's greatness.
Let me see:
Torture, War in Iraq, support for dictators, deposing democratically elected parties. No respect for the Geneva convention, creation of black site. Guantonemo Bay, no right to a fair trail.
Black Sites
Aid used as nothing more than career moves for highly paid NGO's.
World Bank used a career reward for NeoCons.
Aid distribution in Africa linked to birth rates(Clinton's time)
Corporate sweatshops in Asia in freetrade zones.
Cruise Missiles that hit the wrong targets and kill civilians.
Yet perhaps the most gauling is food aid stamped with 'Gift from USA'. Let us keep humiating the poor and making them feel poorer.
Yes we can all see these thing are what make America great.
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The world turns and we all stare up at the same star the light that powers all human kindness and evil our future resides there in the havens. With vessels or wings the future for man is up.