The Many Faces of Anti-Americanism Essay

Submitted By Hzander5
Words: 6934
Pages: 28

The Many Faces of Anti-Americanism

Abstract

Nowadays, the United States is publicly considered the world’s single super power, after it shared this status with the former U.S.S.R. until the end of Cold War. Its evolution in time influenced many countries and regions throughout the world. Its role was portrayed as paternal or as the savior of the weak, or the protector and the defender of human rights, democracy, liberty and autonomy. On the other hand, the image reflected by its actions illustrates contradictory values, resistance to countries’ independence and autonomy, authoritarian regimes or economic and political pressure. This has generated multiple waves against its politics and against its foreign relations, grouped under a social phenomenon recognized as the anti–Americanism.

This research paper studies the causes of anti–Americanism, by examining how this trend developed in Arab countries (Iran, Iraq, Turkey), or Latin America states (Argentina, Venezuela, Honduras) and identifies similarities in their perceptions of anti–Americanisms. Likewise, I observed their attitudes towards the anti–Americanism trend and the expressions against it. What the North Americans do to limit the ever growing rates of anti–Americanism and why is it necessary to eradicate this trend are other significant elements that this research paper will discuss about.

INTRODUCTION

Over the last few decades, Anti-Americanism has remained the subject of emotional public opinionated debate, which is evident both within and outside Washington. The hostility U.S. receives is barely a new observable fact, yet the various sources and a sign of Anti-Americanism mainly among the Arab world makes it even further difficult to accurately arrive on an identifiable cause. The United States was portrayed as the savior of the weak, or the protector and the defender of human rights, democracy, liberty and autonomy. On the other hand, the image reflected by its actions illustrates contradictory values, such as resistance to countries’ independence of authoritarian regimes and economic and political pressure. This has generated multiple waves against its politics and against its foreign relations, grouped under a social phenomenon recognized as anti – Americanism.

The September 11th terror assaults on New York and Washington created an instant outpouring of unity from countries that are believed to be U.S. cronies and received substantial sympathy from different parts of the world that are not closely aligned with the United States. However, the affection was principally gone by the time U.S. made a decision to go to war in Iraq. This act was replaced in many minds and hearts by increased caution of the influence of U.S. military power, creating distrust on the side of the United States motives in the larger Middle East and other parts of the world.

Anti-Americanism can be defined as any hostile act that is part and parcel of the undifferentiated attack on foreign policy, society, and culture as well as the values of the United States. Since September 11th 2001, there has been a debate questioning citizens of the Islamic world on their opinion or view of the U.S. policy as well as that of the American values and culture[1]. The intensity of anti-Americanism revealed different research work and the Arab world has been the subject of great discussion. In some of these countries, the consequences of anti-Americanism attitudes are associated with aspects regarding delegitimizing the American value[2]. For some of the Muslims who are linked to the thought of anti Americanism do it on the basis of their cultural differences as well as some fundamental disagreement over their societal norms[3].

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

As the “Literature Research” and the “Development of Argument” will illustrate, United States is implementing a strategy meant to propel its political philosophies and visions regarding