America in the World's Briefings

Will anti-Americanism end if Barack Obama becomes President?

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 4^th 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.

Hollywood and anti-Americanism

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.

The varieties of anti-Americanism

There is sharp disagreement over the "root causes" of contemporary 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 of the current outbreak of anti-Americanism, especially in Europe and the Muslim world.

Strategies for combating anti-Americanism

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 44^th 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.

Trends in anti-Americanism

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.