Is the U.S. a largely xenophobic nation?

[chamber-music]

Every country is has its share of xenophobic, racist, homophobic and misogynistic citizens. It is hard to calculate which country is better or worst.

Unless your pure Native America or African Americans your the descendant of immigrants from outside of America so it seems rather stupid to hate non-Americans.

Having a fear and hostile attitude to all foreigners is stupid in my opinion and not a good way to live your life.

If you go back in time enough we are all related anyway.

 

[Destructus86]

In most asian countries you will find a very xenophobia society. Europe not so much...it CAN be (especially the French) but not too bad, about the same as here in the US.

 

[Comics N' Toons]

It seems that the American government has turned quasi-fascist. 9/11 was a single event. Tragic yes, and heartbreaking and terrible and cringe worthy. In response, we have a TSA that gropes children and grandmas, a government who spies on us in various ways (phone records and the IRS being the most recent newsworthy examples), and though I really thought it was bad with Bush and those lovable Republiclans, the Liberals have made it far worse.

But I don't think 9/11 is the sole cause of xenophobia, as globalization has a lot to do with it (ironically). Globalization is supposed to in theory at least make the world smaller, bring nations and people together, yet the more and more we hear about other nations, the more frightened we get. The WW2 generation who are still alive and their kids (our grandparents) are still so traumatized by things like WW2, the Korean War and Vietnam that foreigners who aren't our European allies are quite simply seen as THE ENEMY!

 

[Dark Raven]

It seems that the American government has turned quasi-fascist. 9/11 was a single event. Tragic yes, and heartbreaking and terrible and cringe worthy. In response, we have a TSA that gropes children and grandmas, a government who spies on us in various ways (phone records and the IRS being the most recent newsworthy examples), and though I really thought it was bad with Bush and those lovable Republiclans, the Liberals have made it far worse.

But I don't think 9/11 is the sole cause of xenophobia, as globalization has a lot to do with it (ironically). Globalization is supposed to in theory at least make the world smaller, bring nations and people together, yet the more and more we hear about other nations, the more frightened we get. The WW2 generation who are still alive and their kids (our grandparents) are still so traumatized by things like WW2, the Korean War and Vietnam that foreigners who aren't our European allies are quite simply seen as THE ENEMY!

I'd say that maybe America as a government or people in authority are perhaps more xenophobic than some of the everyday individuals. You see that manifested in things like the TSA, but once you get past them there seem to be lots of Americans who are more open minded and accepting of others - in some ways more so than people in the UK.

On the other hand, like you say, 9/11 isn't the sole cause of xenophobia. I think one thing could be that some Americans have a very goldfish bowl mentality and experience where their world (however small that is) is all they have really experienced. Some haven't come across many other nationalities let alone even having been out of their state, or in some cases, even out of their small home town.

 

[chamber-music]

There is plenty of Xenophobia in Europe. Just ask people in Western Europe what they think of people from Eastern or Central Europe and you will hear a ton of nasty stuff.

There is more hostility towards Romanian, Albanian and Polish people in many European countries than there is to people from non-European countries.

 

[Comics N' Toons]

Does anyone see xenophobia in future U.S. foreign policy or otherwise being a major problem the country?

 

[terry78]

What's your definition of xenophobia in this instance?

 

[Comics N' Toons]

What's your definition of xenophobia in this instance?

Well, I guess a return to Bush-era paranoia about terrorism might be something to worry about (it still exists but has died down a lot since Obama).

 

[Comics N' Toons]

Are there any people here that think that the rest of the world is largely or marginally xenophobic and angry at the U.S. for our transgressions across the world?

 

[hippie_hunter]

I would say that European and Asian xenophobia is far, far, FAAAR worse than American xenophobia. And Western European transgressions are just as bad as the transgressions the United States has committed. How about instead of trying to push a point about how "xenophobic" the United States is, how about you read a history book.

 

[Comics N' Toons]

I would say that European and Asian xenophobia is far, far, FAAAR worse than American xenophobia. And Western European transgressions are just as bad as the transgressions the United States has committed. How about instead of trying to push a point about how "xenophobic" the United States is, how about you read a history book.

Oh I have. And your points are correct... Ireland, regions of the Middle East and Spain are all much more xenophobic than the U.S. In fact, Europe as a whole is much more so, but... American attitudes are generally quite isolated even more than any other European country could ever hope to be. We view our politics much differently than Europeans as we are much more policy concious and are a nation obsessed with religion, which is nothing like Europe as most European nations if they subscribe to religion at all, do so on a much smaller scale!

 

[Spidey-Bat]

Well, I guess a return to Bush-era paranoia about terrorism might be something to worry about (it still exists but has died down a lot since Obama).

I think you're trying to discuss xenophobia with two different things, political policy and general attitude of a population. I don't think US political policy is largely defined by xenophobia, I think it's more applicable to people's attitude.

Are there any people here that think that the rest of the world is largely or marginally xenophobic and angry at the U.S. for our transgressions across the world?

You seem to be asking two different questions.

Is the rest of the world largely or marginally xenophobic? Absolutely, even more so than the United States. We have men and women of different race and sexuality holding political office and significant leadership roles in companies. Do you think a country in the Middle-East would elect a homosexual politician? How many female CEOs are there in China?

Your second, do many countries resent the US because of their actions in the last 60 years? I wouldn't disagree, but I would argue that there should be perspective, especially with countries that have committed atrocities of equal degree or worse.

American attitudes are generally quite isolated even more than any other European country could ever hope to be. We view our politics much differently than Europeans as we are much more policy concious and are a nation obsessed with religion, which is nothing like Europe as most European nations if they subscribe to religion at all, do so on a much smaller scale!

I disagree that we're more obsessed with religion. It's probably seems like more of an issue because there's no hegemony. We're mostly Christian but I don't think most Christians define themselves first and foremost as Christians, not to mention that there's different sects of it and most of them don't like each other for whatever reason.

 

[Comics N' Toons]

I think you're trying to discuss xenophobia with two different things, political policy and general attitude of a population. I don't think US political policy is largely defined by xenophobia, I think it's more applicable to people's attitude.



You seem to be asking two different questions.

Is the rest of the world largely or marginally xenophobic? Absolutely, even more so than the United States. We have men and women of different race and sexuality holding political office and significant leadership roles in companies. Do you think a country in the Middle-East would elect a homosexual politician? How many female CEOs are there in China?

Your second, do many countries resent the US because of their actions in the last 60 years? I wouldn't disagree, but I would argue that there should be perspective, especially with countries that have committed atrocities of equal degree or worse.


I disagree that we're more obsessed with religion. It's probably seems like more of an issue because there's no hegemony. We're mostly Christian but I don't think most Christians define themselves first and foremost as Christians, not to mention that there's different sects of it and most of them don't like each other for whatever reason.

I agree with this!

 

[Thundercrack85]

Are there any people here that think that the rest of the world is largely or marginally xenophobic and angry at the U.S. for our transgressions across the world?

What transgressions specifically?

 

[SV Fan]

What transgressions specifically?

I think Iraq instantly comes to mind. I am guessing the idea that the US annoited itself as the world police might have annoyed a few people as well.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Seems more like Europe put America in that position, with their inability to do anything beyond starting wars they can't finish.

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

I would say that European and Asian xenophobia is far, far, FAAAR worse than American xenophobia. And Western European transgressions are just as bad as the transgressions the United States has committed.

I disagree with your point on American crimes being just as bad as European. European transgression was far worse than any American. Europeans enslaved millions across the world to make their own nations rich, committed more genocide on indigenous populations than any American campaign every did, and created dozens of failed, ethnically fractured, & corrupt states in their aftermath.

 

[Two-Face=Badass]

The US is not more xenophobic than many countries even at the worst of times. It is, however, a lot more exceptionalist in nature. That is to say, the fact that the notion of American Exceptionalism - that the country has followed a unique path and trajectory that sets it apart from the rest of the world - is an actual accepted idea in a vast amount of American academia, media, and general foreign policies is quite frightening. US culture has always had some elements that posit it as a special snowflake among other countries. Not necessarily as a form of patriotism or nationalism, simply a view that it is wholly unique against the backdrop of the rest of the world that shares more similarity, like the shining city on the hill.

Which is quite a fascinating, if wrong-headed view, and I'd recommend reading up on it sometime if you have a spare weekend or so, as it sounds like regular patriotism but is really quite something else.

 

[Two-Face=Badass]

I disagree with your point on American crimes being just as bad as European. European transgression was far worse than any American. Europeans enslaved millions across the world to make their own nations rich, committed more genocide on indigenous populations than any American campaign every did, and created dozens of failed, ethnically fractured, & corrupt states in their aftermath.

That is probably because America is a country, while Europe is a continent. Let's not turn this into a misguided inhumanity Olympics.

 

[SV Fan]

That is to say, the fact that the notion of American Exceptionalism - that the country has followed a unique path and trajectory that sets it apart from the rest of the world - is an actual accepted idea in a vast amount of American academia, media, and general foreign policies is quite frightening.

Whenever I hear that word I always think of newt Gingrich stating that the 2012 election is all about American Exceptionalism vs Saul Alinksy

[YT]7MlJpsMEx6c[/YT]

that always made me laugh

Personally I hate the term American Exceptionalism, it's one of those terms that sounds like it comes from a word factory to pacify a group of people that their is no use trying harder to make things a better place because we already just that great

 

[Thundercrack85]

I suppose America is exceptional, but so is... let's say Russia. There's a country that went from being the most backwoods state in Europe, to a nuclear superpower, which ushered in the space age, and essentially ended West European dominance.

 

[Two-Face=Badass]

The word 'exception' here doesn't necessarily mean 'great' in the sense of performing a fantastic feat. It more means 'the exception that proves the rule' - literally, that the US has followed a trajectory unique among the world while all other nations have followed a major path of development, with deviations (such as Communist Russia) being only temporary and only minor ones. It is a stupid theory that serves as obsfucated nationalism, but it is frightening in degree to how it both was, and many ways still is, followed by vast swathes of people. Most are American, but not all.

 

[chamber-music]

Could we not turn this thread into a let's bash America/Europe or childish who's better argument please?

No country on Earth is utopia just yet. Every country has its own issues and discretions.

 

[Comics N' Toons]

Could we not turn this thread into a let's bash America/Europe or childish who's better argument please?

No country on Earth is utopia just yet. Every country has its own issues and discretions.

Just yet? sorry, but no country on Earth will be a utopia until long after we're all dead... if we don't blow up the planet in a nuclear war first!

 

[terry78]

^LOL, and the veil has been lifted.