In all of our briefings, our authors aim to make a reasonable case and supply the facts and referencing to support the argument made. But some briefings make a more controversial case than others. We consider this one of our more controversial briefings.
Most surveys
of global opinion suggest that Barack Obama is the world’s preferred candidate
to replace George W Bush. This has led many observers to believe that a
victory for Barack Obama will largely end the anti-Americanism of recent
years. The reality is more complicated.
Any new
President has an opportunity to begin restoring America’s standing in the world Whoever is
elected on Tuesday 4th November 2008 most of the world – rightly or
wrongly - will be glad to see George W Bush’s presidency come to its
end. His international approval ratings are very poor. Any new President
will have an opportunity to give America a fresh start. John McCain’s
differences with the Bush administration on environmental policies, Guantanamo
Bay and aggressive interrogation techniques such as waterboarding make him
better placed than almost any other Republican to appeal to fairer-minded
international citizens.
In
all of our briefings, our authors aim to make a reasonable case and
supply the facts and referencing to support the argument made. But some
briefings make a more controversial case than others. We consider this
one of our more controversial briefings.
American foreign policy is widely recognised as the main explanation for current
levels of anti-Americanism but other factors can contribute to the problem and create an
environment which makes anti-Americanism easier to breed. One of those factors is the
output of Hollywood.
Thereissharpdisagreementoverthe "rootcauses" ofcontemporary anti-Americanism—over how
much is instigated by US foreign policy, for example, and
how much results from envy, misplaced grievances, from the output of Hollywood or the
impact of corporate America. Nevertheless, America's critics can be grouped into various
typologies that help explain much ofthe current outbreak of anti-Americanism,
especially in Europe and the Muslim world.
In
all of our briefings, our authors aim to make a reasonable case and
supply the facts and referencing to support the argument made. But some
briefings make a more controversial case than others. We consider this
one of our more controversial briefings.
Another America in the World briefing looks at the different forms of
anti-Americanism that exist. This briefing examines the main strategies for
addressing those different forms.
A
new President A
combination of poor communications and controversial overseas interventions have reduced
America’s global standing to a sorry state under President George W Bush. The
election of either John McCain or Barack Obama will give America something of a fresh
start in the eyes of fair-minded observers. Barack Obama is likely to produce the
most positive short-term effect but some of his policies on trade and Iraq, for example,
may bring new problems. The 44th American President – whoever he
is – will need to realise that anti-Americanism existed before George W Bush and
will exist after he has gone. There are many sources of anti-Americanism.
Resentment of American political, military, economic and cultural hegemony will bedevil
all administrations for the foreseeable future.
There is little consistent polling data allowing an objective assessment of the global prevalence of anti-Americanism over the years. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, however, it is possible to track trends. These indicate a growing distrust of America and American leadership. However, although anti-Americanism is deeper, it is not wider. Moreover, there are signs that anti-Americanism is lessening in several surprising areas. On the other hand, there are signs that new concerns about America are manifesting.
In all of our briefings, our authors aim to make a reasonable case and supply the facts and referencing to support the argument made. But some briefings make a more controversial case than others. We consider this one of our more controversial briefings.
