Should Americans care about how America is perceived around the world?

[Winston]

I’ve noticed many people say, “Well I don’t care what the Canadians think.” Or, “I don’t care what the Germans think.”

(Those same people would undoubtedly be caring very much, if those peoples supported their politics.)

I think this is an insolent, haughty, and stupid view. Basically confirming American stereotypes.

Now, should we care what DPRK thinks? No, not particularly. Should we care what a cross section of G-20 or, other peer nations think? We would be stupid not to.

What do you think?

 

[Mycroft]

I’ve noticed many people say, “Well I don’t care what the Canadians think.” Or, “I don’t care what the Germans think.”

(Those same people would undoubtedly be caring very much, if those peoples supported their politics.)

I think this is an insolent, haughty, and stupid view. Basically confirming American stereotypes.

Now, should we care what DPRK thinks? No, not particularly. Should we care what a cross section of G-20 or, other peer nations think? We would be stupid not to.

What do you think?

No.

We can deal with other countries, but what they think of us doesn't matter.

 

[Gatsby]

Yes, of course America should care what people think. The way we are perceived has major implications for our soft power, our ability to recruit the best immigrants, and the wellbeing of democracy, liberty, and capitalism around the world.

 

[ElChupacabra]

I’ve noticed many people say, “Well I don’t care what the Canadians think.” Or, “I don’t care what the Germans think.”

(Those same people would undoubtedly be caring very much, if those peoples supported their politics.)

I think this is an insolent, haughty, and stupid view. Basically confirming American stereotypes.

Now, should we care what DPRK thinks? No, not particularly. Should we care what a cross section of G-20 or, other peer nations think? We would be stupid not to.

What do you think?

It depends. Where it really counts is in the world of politics and diplomacy, though a country's economic and military clout will determine how much those opinions really matter. I voted yes mainly because being thought of favorably makes it easier for Americans traveling abroad and can also make diplomacy a bit easier, though leverage is far more important in negotiations. I care because it provides some insight in how our actions are viewed from a different perspective.

 

[Captain Adverse]

I’ve noticed many people say, “Well I don’t care what the Canadians think.” Or, “I don’t care what the Germans think.”

Okay...

(Those same people would undoubtedly be caring very much, if those peoples supported their politics.)

Not really, as the fact of whether or not they care has absolutely no real impact on OUR political issues here at home. Any more than OUR views have any real impact on THEIR nations or their views.

I think this is an insolent, haughty, and stupid view. Basically confirming American stereotypes.

Well, you are entitled to your opinion of course. IMO your opinion has little merit for the reason stated above.

Now, should we care what DPRK thinks? No, not particularly. Should we care what a cross section of G-20 or, other peer nations think? We would be stupid not to.

Here you go agreeing with my original response, which makes your thread a nonsensical position.

What do you think?

See above.

 

[Winston]

No.

We can deal with other countries, but what they think of us doesn't matter.

very short sighted view.

if we elected another conman ignoramus who treats diplomacy like a mob shakedown, then we may win a battle or two, but the war will be surely lost.

 

[HIP56948]

This may come as a surprise for some people.
Most people in other countries think about the United States in about the same vein as people in the US think about Moldova. (Eastern European country)

 

[Winston]

This may come as a surprise for some people.
Most people in other countries think about the United States in about the same vein as people in the US think about Moldova. (Eastern European country)

so, not much at all.

 

[Goshin]

Yes, sorta.

Obviously it matters how we are seen in the world, in terms of diplomacy and international relations.

As far as our laws, culture and internal affairs, no... that's our business and I could not give a $%!^ what some other country thinks of it.

I have my *opinions* about some internal matters in Canada or the UK or etc, but have no expectation of the citizens thereof paying me any heed, and that's fine... their country, they get to pluck that chicken their way.

 

[Ishm]

Listening to what other people with an external perspective think can open your eyes to your own flaws and make you a better country, It also gives you more idea of where other countries are pulling ahead of you. So, yes I think being open minded and listening helps make the country stronger. There are also more direct implications such as the willingness of foreign investors to bring money and jobs to your country. Whilst the size of the US population will always be attractive, investors get wary when they don't believe in a countries culture or political system etc.

 

[Mycroft]

very short sighted view.

if we elected another conman ignoramus who treats diplomacy like a mob shakedown, then we may win a battle or two, but the war will be surely lost.

The war?

What war?

Is that how you think we should deal with other countries? We should be at war with all of them?

 

[Mongidig]

This country is a disgrace but nothing I can do about it. I don’t blame other countries for laughing at us with the exception of Europe. Europe is a dumpster fire.

Overall I don’t care what other countries think of us. I used to back when this country was great.

 

[Rexedgar]

Okay...


Not really, as the fact of whether or not they care has absolutely no real impact on OUR political issues here at home. Any more than OUR views have any real impact on THEIR nations or their views.

I know I’m not likely to get a response here, but this part of your post would suggest a disconnect with reality.

Well, you are entitled to your opinion of course. IMO your opinion has little merit for the reason stated above.



Here you go agreeing with my original response, which makes your thread a nonsensical position.



See above.

 

[Fearandloathing]

It depends. Where it really counts is in the world of politics and diplomacy, though a country's economic and military clout will determine how much those opinions really matter. I voted yes mainly because being thought of favorably makes it easier for Americans traveling abroad and can also make diplomacy a bit easier, though leverage is far more important in negotiations. I care because it provides some insight in how our actions are viewed from a different perspective.

Before the fall of the Berlin wall, I was sent to Krakow to follow the Solidarity movement, and an interview with Lech Welesa. On board train we we pre checked at the frontier by Polish soldiers with Russian overseers. My colleague, an American was taken off the train and held for questioning while the glanced at my Canadian passport without comment nodding for me to proceed through.

That's one reason Americans should think about their image abroad.

Another example was in the Caribbean where we were staying. The American couple next door could not get decent service and once I had to get ice for them, but if my partner sneezed they were there with a tissue.

Going through customs in Japan, the Canadian passport sails with smiles and nods and a bunch of chatter...my American colleague was detained briefly and searched, he thought for wepons.

Of all things to criticize in this country, and there is a lot (lets talk about Canada Revenue Agency and the sick ****s and their satanism!) having a Canadian passport makes up for it. Even better I love our reputation. In Belize: "Oh, I love Canadians..."
"Oh, do you know many?"
"No. But the ones I do are really nice".

I'll take that over stealth bombers any day.

 

[Allan]

Yes, of course America should care what people think. The way we are perceived has major implications for our soft power, our ability to recruit the best immigrants, and the wellbeing of democracy, liberty, and capitalism around the world.

Thread winner

 

[Gatsby]

Fortunately, most countries seem to like America.

This is with the caveat that Pew only polled countries with enough freedom of speech and freedom of the press to get accurate results. If it were somehow possible to do this poll in Russia, China, or the Middle East, then we'd probably see more negative views of America.

Overall these poll results should make most Americans happy.

Sidenote: Did we do something to Australia to make them dislike us?

 

[Allan]

This country is a disgrace but nothing I can do about it. I don’t blame other countries for laughing at us with the exception of Europe. Europe is a dumpster fire.

Have you even been there?

Overall I don’t care what other countries think of us. I used to back when this country was great.

When was that exactly?

 

[Winston]

The war?

What war?

Is that how you think we should deal with other countries? We should be at war with all of them?

It's an idiom.

 

[Allan]

Fortunately, most countries seem to like America.
View attachment 67455817
This is with the caveat that Pew only polled countries with enough freedom of speech and freedom of the press to get accurate results. If it were somehow possible to do this poll in Russia, China, or the Middle East, then we'd probably see more negative views of America.

Overall these poll results should make most Americans happy.

Sidenote: Did we do something to Australia to make them dislike us?

You'd be surprised how highly America is regarded in China. The US and Germany are particularly admired by Chinese citizens.

 

[Ginger Ale]

Right now people just think it's really dangerous, like we think of Brazil or Mexico.
It wouldn't hurt to change that image.

It matters because we aren't Nationalists, and we work with others to have a decent world to live in. I mean, this is a pretty elementary thought isn't it? We aren't on this planet alone.

 

[Mycroft]

It's an idiom.

I don't speak idiom. Try English.

 

[Port & Starboard]

I have port visited 49 countries under Carter, Reagan, GHWB, and Clinton. Some for 2-3 days at a time and some for a week at a time. Many of those countries I have been to multiple times.

Certain countries always loved the US, while other countries seemed indifferent about the US.

Nothing has changed much.

The only place I ever visited where I thought that most of the people were assholes........................ was in Denmark.

West African countries being the friendliest. Awesome people.

And a thumbs up to my "Newfie" friends.

 

[Winston]

I don't speak idiom. Try English.

You're unfamiliar with the phrase, "You won the battle but, I won the war."

It's like if you see someone in the playoffs and they knock you out in the first round but, then you train hard in the off season and go on to win 3 straight championships. That is losing the battle but, winning the war.

 

[PeacefulWarrior]

When was that exactly?

I think he must be talking about when over half of our workforce was Unionized.

 

[Fearandloathing]

You're unfamiliar with the phrase, "You won the battle but, I won the war."

It's like if you see someone in the playoffs and they knock you out in the first round but, then you train hard in the off season and go on to win 3 straight championships. That is losing the battle but, winning the war.

and then you have wining the battle and losing the war, like 1812 and New Orleans. The most decisive battle of the war fought AFTER peace had been signed.