The BBC has poll results on global attitudes towards the U.S. Big surprise: much of the world isn't too fond.
But there are some interesting things to take out of it. First off, it appears that the level of anti-Americanism is directly proportional to how backwards a country is. Indonesia despises the U.S. more than France. Brazil hates the U.S. more than Indonesia. Russia's disdain is greater than both, etc.
This is a big reason why the fact that so much of the world dislikes the U.S. doesn't particularly bother me. It's as if someone told me that some yahoo living in a trailer park doesn't approve of the way I live my life. So what? That person's an idiot, that's why they're living in a mobile home. On the other hand, if a self-made millionaire told me I need to change my ways I might pay more attention.
Truly, much of the world is delusional. Objective facts have no place in how many people in other countries shape their opinions of the U.S.. For example, one of the poll questions is if someone agrees with the statement that "America is a force for good in the world."
Of course it is. Just look at the past 10 years. Saddam toppled. Taliban tossed out. Terrorists killed. Halted slaughter of Muslims in Bosnia and Kosovo. Vast amounts of aid to tsunami victims in Southeast Asia and earthquake victims in Pakistan. U.S. economy imports more than it exports, driving the global economy and employing millions of people overseas. U.S. charities and government provide untold amounts of aid, etc. etc.
It's not even close. The U.S. record isn't perfect, but the net balance is pretty clear. Yet a lot of people disagree with that assessment.
In the same vein, I noticed that one of the consistent anti-American countries in the poll is South Korea. Coincidentally I was reading this discussion thread earlier today in which two guys discuss their anti-American experiences in South Korea, which I found very interesting. In case you don't care to read they basically each agree that South Koreans have little use for facts and that many of their views are absolutely baffling. Read it for yourself.
HT: Club for Growth blog.
Update: Forgot to mention -- I guess we fail John Kerry's "global test!"
But there are some interesting things to take out of it. First off, it appears that the level of anti-Americanism is directly proportional to how backwards a country is. Indonesia despises the U.S. more than France. Brazil hates the U.S. more than Indonesia. Russia's disdain is greater than both, etc.
This is a big reason why the fact that so much of the world dislikes the U.S. doesn't particularly bother me. It's as if someone told me that some yahoo living in a trailer park doesn't approve of the way I live my life. So what? That person's an idiot, that's why they're living in a mobile home. On the other hand, if a self-made millionaire told me I need to change my ways I might pay more attention.
Truly, much of the world is delusional. Objective facts have no place in how many people in other countries shape their opinions of the U.S.. For example, one of the poll questions is if someone agrees with the statement that "America is a force for good in the world."
Of course it is. Just look at the past 10 years. Saddam toppled. Taliban tossed out. Terrorists killed. Halted slaughter of Muslims in Bosnia and Kosovo. Vast amounts of aid to tsunami victims in Southeast Asia and earthquake victims in Pakistan. U.S. economy imports more than it exports, driving the global economy and employing millions of people overseas. U.S. charities and government provide untold amounts of aid, etc. etc.
It's not even close. The U.S. record isn't perfect, but the net balance is pretty clear. Yet a lot of people disagree with that assessment.
In the same vein, I noticed that one of the consistent anti-American countries in the poll is South Korea. Coincidentally I was reading this discussion thread earlier today in which two guys discuss their anti-American experiences in South Korea, which I found very interesting. In case you don't care to read they basically each agree that South Koreans have little use for facts and that many of their views are absolutely baffling. Read it for yourself.
HT: Club for Growth blog.
Update: Forgot to mention -- I guess we fail John Kerry's "global test!"
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