One
of the most prevalent ideas about America is that it is a dangerous place to live. The
global stereotype remains that America is a largely lawless country, where death stalks
the streets of major cities and where casual visitors are vulnerable to being gunned down
by paranoid neighbours or policemen. But in fact the picture of America that emerges from
a careful review of the evidence is one of a relatively crime-free
society.
American Society
America and Immigration
After
the attacks of 11th September 2001 on the United States, the government greatly enhanced
security measures at the borders, in an attempt to keep dangerous people out. For some
time it seemed that immigration and travelling to the United States was a casualty.
However, this did not last. Lately the US government has been making strides in
increasing immigration and travel to the United States without compromising on security.
While things are not perfect, the United States continues to accept more immigrants than
most countries and overall numbers are steadily increasing.
America and the Environment
Americans are often attacked for being indifferent to environmental degradation.
This impression is sustained in part by a number of myths that do not survive proper
consideration.
Myth: Americans do not care about the environment
Fact:
America has adopted numerous policies with a view to environmental protection, including
a host of uniquely stringent restrictions on domestic drilling. As of 2008, 23 laws aimed
at environmental protection have been passed at the federal level, including the Clean
Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Energy Policy Act, the
Nuclear Waste Policy Act, the Ocean Dumping Act, the Pollution Prevention Act and the
Safe Drinking Water Act.[1] When
it came to the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer, the US led
efforts to ban chlorofluorocarbons which were destroying the
stratospheric ozone. America disproportionately funds environmental activities
undertaken by the United Nations and other bodies.
Health care in America
A hybrid system of public and private markets ensures the delivery of health care to all Americans. Leadership in areas such as medical science, medical technology and pharmaceuticals exemplifies the dynamism of the American system.
America leads the world in medical science
Of the 143 Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine awarded since 1945, 87 have gone to Americans. Six of the seven women who have ever won Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine did so based partially or entirely on their work in the United States.
The role of government in America
It is often suggested that America is a vastly less compassionate society than most other Western nations, because it embraces a more capitalist economic system. Whether less government intervention suggests less compassion is itself debatable, but also dubious are myths that contribute to the notion that America is ruthlessly and uniquely capitalist when compared to other Western countries.
Religion in America
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.
The combination of America's robust religious liberty model and the persistence of high levels of religious observance are unique in the world. Religious ideals, individuals and institutions have played a critical and constructive role in American political and civic life.
America and Race
Like many countries, America once practised slavery (before fighting a civil war resulting in its abolition) and racial discrimination (before the success of the civil rights movement). Critics of the United States sometimes assert that racism and racial discrimination strongly persist in America. The evidence suggests otherwise.
The vast majority of Americans have favourable views of people of other races
The Pew Forum’s 2002 survey found more British, French and Germans than Americans saying they had little in common with people of other races and ethnicity.[1] An overwhelming majority of black, Hispanic and non-Hispanic white Americans express favourable views of each other as racial groups. A Pew Research poll in 2008 found that 82% of white Americans have a favourable view of black Americans, and 80% of blacks have a favourable view of whites. 87% of whites and 82% of blacks report having a friend of a different race. 77% of whites and 69% of blacks think whites and blacks either get along very well or pretty well.
