The end of the American Illusion?

national | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday January 21, 2003 22:14 by Graham Caswell - Various caswell at indigo dot ie

What's wrong with America?

America seems to be increasingly out of step with the rest of the world. Why?

One of the greatest differences between America and other countries is that America is first and foremost an idea - a mental construction of what a country should be and could be. The story of America has been the story of hope, the story of freedom, the story of equality and the story of wealth and opportunity. America is special among nations, says this story. Made up of immigrants from everywhere, America IS the planet in miniature, the greatest country on earth and a preview of what is possible for the rest of the world. Evidence for the truth of America's story can be found in its economic, military and cultural influence in the world and in its general success. Not only is America an idea, it is a very good idea and is shared by Americans and non-Americans alike. Or so the story goes.

But the idea of America is an idea that seems to be losing its appeal. In South Korea restaurants have signs outside their doors saying 'Americans not Welcome here'. The Arab world is almost unanimous in opposing American influence. The relationships between several European countries and America are the worst in living memory and in nations around the world huge crowds demonstrate against American foreign policy. At the risk of being labelled 'anti-American' (the international equivilant of being unpatriotic), it seems clear that almost everybody, including many Americans, has a problem with America these days.

At international forum after international forum America stands alone in resisting an end to landmines, frustrating action on climate change, undermining the International Criminal Court, and generally opposing every progressive international agreement around. The European Union, the Pope, Mexico, Canada, Amnesty International and other countries and organisations regularly and consistently condemn American disrespect for human rights in its use of the death penalty. Representatives of America are booed at international meetings and summits and any American living abroad will tell you of the surge in, well, anti-Americanism in recent years.

America has been out of step with the rest of the world for some time but the 'election' of George Bush undoubtedly made the division much worse. Then September 11th happened and changed America in a deep and fundamental way. Today with the seemingly unstoppable War on Iraq the divisions between America and much of the rest of the world seem to be becoming even more pronounced and a war on Iraq without UN Security Council approval will make them crystal clear. In many eyes America's vision of a 'New World Order' seems to be that 'America does what America wants' and darwinism seems to have been elevated to the level of international relations at the expense of a discussed and agreed world. For those who are deeply concerned by these developments the question has to be asked, "What's wrong with America?".

Perhaps the problem is simply power - i.e. America has become the world's only 'hyperpower' and its administration is suffering from the arrogance and corruption that comes with it. Or perhaps there is something dark deep in the heart of racist, gun-loving, vengeance-seeking, God-fearing culture that believes power comes from the barrel of a gun and America has a God-given right to do whatever it wants. Or maybe the problem is simply that much of the world is enviously wrong and 'weak' and it is America that is strong and right.

But there is another, more disturbing, possibility. Perhaps the popular vision of America is an illusion and that illusion is in trouble. Maybe America isn't as militarily secure as it seems? Maybe the American economy and business model isn't as healthy as it would appear? Perhaps American culture isn't dominant but is weaker than that of older nations? Maybe the real problem with America is that the illusion of its dominance and of its special place is crumbling?

It is arguable that the illusion of American military security was shown clearly on September 11th, 2001 when 19 men dealt America the greatest blow in its history with only box cutters, imagination and a willingness to die for their cause. The sight of a vast nuclear aircraft carrier 'guarding' New York in the days after the atrocity highlighted how the rules had changed. Technology seems to have inadvertently created a world in which mass destruction is becoming more democratised. True national security now involves more than military spending and might.

Concurrently with this realisation, the demise of the dot com bubble, along with the problems of Enron, Worldcom and other American corporations, has done serious damage to the credibility of the American economic model. This has added to suspicions about America's deepening social inequality, crumbling infrastructure and increasingly dysfunctional lifestyle. America's trade deficit (the REAL deficit) is at record levels while the world is beginning to sell dollars for Euros. America depends on the world subsidising its trade deficits through investment and by using dollars and, if the world stops paying for America's deficit, then America's economy is in trouble. America's economy is certainly big but like American society and many individuals living what is seen as an American lifestyle, it may not be healthy.

Finally and most importantly, the idea that America represents the ideals of freedom, equality, democracy,the rule of law and respect for human rights seems increasingly threadbare. America incarcerates more of its own citizens than the vast majority of countries. The American political system seems to depend on money and corporate influence, black and poor voters can be disenfranchised through electoral fraud and even the electoral system allows the 'election' of a president who lost the popular vote. The American media is restricted to four similar television networks while most American cities have only one newspaper and critical debate seems conspicuously absent in mass media. The Geneva Convention seems to be disposable in America's eyes and America works hard to frustrate and undermine the International Criminal Court and other international agreements. Social, income, educational and other measures of inequality show America as by far the most unequal western nation and its inequality is growing. America stills violates the human right to life by executing human beings. America as a nation doesn't seem to pay any special regard for the values and ideas of freedom, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights and, as a nation, its respect for those values and ideas increasingly seems to be an illusion.

Many countries are exposed to terrorism or the threat of weapons of mass destruction. Many countries have a restricted media and show little respect for the ideas of freedom, equality, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Many countries have economic problems.

But only one country defines itself by the idea that it is special and that its system is the best on earth. The events of the past few years have introduced doubt about the America idea into the hearts and minds of people around the world. Since America depends on this idea for much of its influence and for its very identity this is a fundamental threat.