Ten arguments for America

One very important thing missing from this website is a simple summary of key arguments for rejecting anti-Americanism/ being pro-American.  Please use the thread below to comment on our draft list and suggest a tenth reason...

1. America's vibrant democracy.  America makes mistakes but it corrects from within.  Its free press, separation of powers and lively public square ensure that America never tends towards extremism.
2. America has been shaped by all of us.  America is not a closed society - it remains the land of opportunity and immigration.  People from all over the world emigrate to America in search of a better life or in search of asylum.  More in this briefing.
3. Throughout history America has opposed tyranny.  Think of US involvement in WWII, the post-WWII Marshall Fund, the containment of the Soviet Union during the Cold War, the defence of South Korea and Taiwan, the liberation of Afghanistan and Iraq.  America's record is certainly not perfect but its overall contribution to global order has been positive.  See our World Without America and World Without The American Soldier videos.
4. American military power remains indispensable for global security.  No other nation comes close to America in terms of military spending and military capability.  Only America could evict Saddam Hussein from Kuwait.  Europe had to turn to American power when Yugoslavia broke up.  American naval power underpins the world's shipping and energy routes.  More in this briefing.
5. The American people are generous. Once private giving is considered the average US citizen gives more to other nations than almost any other nation.  In 2006, for example, the US gave nearly $35bn in private aid to developing nations.  UK citizens gave less than $2bn.  More in this briefing which also captures the importance of remittances and military peacekeeping.
6. American scientific leadership.  America accounts for 31% of global spending on R&D.  From this expenditure comes much medical and technological advance.  More in this briefing.
7. The American economy powers the world economy.  The importance of the US economy is particularly obvious when it falters and we all suffer from the contagion.  American innovation, commitment to free trade and export of the free market model have benefited us all.  More in this briefing.
8. There is no better alternative to US leadership.  Our briefings on the United Nations, the European Union and China make this clear.
9. America's fifty states incubate policy innovation. Because of its decentralised system of government each of the USA's fifty states has the freedom to pursue different policy ideas.  This has produced ideas on welfare reform, new approaches to policing, tax reform and philanthropy that the whole world has benefited from.
10. What would you make the number ten argument?

Once we've absorbed your responses we'll add the list of ten to the sidebar of this page.