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Also by Jessi Polsky:
- Youth turnout climbs in '08 election (November 6, 2008)
- Democrats pick up control in state Assembly (November 5, 2008)
- Beyond our borders (October 29, 2008)
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University of Wisconsin senior Nicholas Bartholomew expected to be a student at Sweden’s Umeaå University this semester. Instead, he became a teacher there.
Bartholomew is questioned about American politics to such an extent that he considers himself an honorary political science teaching assistant.
The results of the 2008 United States presidential elections extend far beyond this country’s borders, and in today’s global political system, people on every continent are vested in candidates’ speeches, decisions and policy briefings.
The effects of the Iraq war and Wall Street meltdown are not only far reaching, but also impact every corner of the world, because, as UW history professor Jeremi Suri put it, “Wwhen the U.S. sneezes, the world gets a cold.”
Plagued with eight years of foreign and monetary policy decisions criticizedhated by much of the world, the international, anti-American government sentiments may change with the nomination - — and possible election - — of a black man.
“With the anticipation of change, [(Barack]) Obama’s attraction is how he shows this other America, [(how])a, he shows the humane, progressive part of America,” Suri said.
But with the support for the liberal America that Obama represents, comes fear and misunderstanding from the country’s conservatives.
“Everyone has an odd fixation on [(Sarah]) Palin - — how on earth McCain could have chosen her is completely beyond them,” Bartholomew said of his Western European peers in and e-mail to The Badger Herald. “The most interesting part for me is the utter inability of most Europeans to wrap their minds around rural America.”
Hotly contested issues pitting Obama against Republican John McCain - — reproductive rights and gun control - — seem like no-brainers to Europe’s youth, who cannot understand why such topics convince people to vote Republican.
However, Obama’s nomination discredits many negative stereotypes about conservative America.
Suri said the long-existing perception that “people in the South are driving pick-up trucks with shotguns and lynching African-Americans” is changing.
“Europeans are asking if the Civil Rights Movement has become mainstream in the U.S., and I think this election may prove that it has,” Suri said.
UW senior Amanda Lojewski recently discussed the upcoming elections with a London resident who said she now has an increased respect for Americans given Obama’s popularity.
“She thought electing Obama meant that other countries would have more respect for the U.S. and believe that we were becoming more tolerant of others and their ideas,” Lojewski said in an e-mail to
The Badger Herald.
But Lojewski said this may be a generalization, adding that contrary to British beliefs, “most Americans agree that electing a president isn’t going to magically unite a country.”
Pro-Obama camps across the world are not necessarily anti-McCain, according to UW alumnusnus Zachary Harrison. Rather, global anti—President George W. Bush feelings are pushing many to fear anything, or anyone, associated with the current administration.
“[Obama] is supported by the fact that he is seen in a light that is the very opposite of Bush,” Harrison said. “He’s a different face, he’s a different color. … Eeverything that Bush represents, he’s the opposite.”
But the European - — and global - — media are very liberal, Harrison said, adding many people he encountered during his two months traveling across Europe “sounded very naiïve about U.S. politics.”
As an American citizen, Harrison felt the need to educate those he met in hostels about the candidates, U.S. policies and capabilities.
Bartholomew too has assumed the role of educator - — and spends many nights explaining the Electoral College to locals.
“My role here is somewhere halfway between a TA for a U.S. electoral politics class and apologist for policies that I apparently must agree with and thus defend on account of my citizenship,” Bartholomew said.
Suri said regardless of what happens Tuesday, many foreigners doubt U.S. policy will drastically change, though the process by which important decisions are made could be different come Inauguration Day.
“Everyone has to work with the U.S., and most people want to, but no one likes being told they have to do it America’s way,” Suri said. “Style is substance.”
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Talk about poor editing. WTF happened here. Is this a copy editor’s revenge?!
what the hell is this!? seriously what do these people know, they’ve been abroad talking to people in youth hostels and fellow students in their class.
grand.
I want to know what actual Germans/Lithuanians/Swedes/Spanish/English/Italians/Swiss/Dutch/Irish/Portugese/South Africans/Iraqis/Russians/Japanese/Argentinans have to say. And in no particular order and of course you can’t put all of that into an article but don’t try to come off and say what people abroad have to say by interviewing random students without pointing the fact that these are American interpretations of what the Euros/Africans/Aussies say…to Americans.
I’m not quite sure what to think about this article. I’ve cooled down since initially reading it thanks to some great shout outs today. But still, Badger Herald sometimes astonishes me with crazy, liberal articles. “anti-American government sentiments may change with the nomination - — and possible election - — of a black man.” -Really?!? SERIOUSLY, is this whole race thing necessary? I’m sick of this bullshit.
“reproductive rights and gun control” are hot issues for conservatives? Any republicans out there actually consider this their biggest concerns??? I sure don’t, but who knows maybe I’m in the minority.
I’d consider myself a realistic republican, and I can understand how Obama’s large separation from Bush might improve the opinions of the international community. But this is our country. Its not France, Germany, or Great Britain. Its the United States. Lets do what’s best for our own country, not Europe (whatever you think that may be).
French President Nicolas Sarkozy reportedly views Barack Obama’s position on Iran as as “utterly immature” and comprised of “formulations empty of all content.”
Sarkozy is also said to have remarked that it would be “arrogant” for Obama, if he is elected president, to ignore allies like France and open a direct dialogue with Iran without preconditions.
As Emanuele Ottolenghi notes, Sarkozy’s use of the term “arrogant” is interesting because Obama’s (utterly immature) critique of U.S. foreign policy relies heavily on the notion that we have been “arrogant” in our dealings with the rest of the world. In fact, the reason Obama has advanced for engaging in talks with a series of anti-American dictatorships, not just Iran, is the need to overcome the perception that we are “arrogant.”
“Arrogance” may be a useful concept for teenagers when they are explaining why they don’t like certain classmates. The real lesson of Sarkozy’s reported comments is how foolish it is to permit this concept to play a serious role in making foreign policy decisions.
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2008/10/021906.php
Ahhh yes - the wrong headed stereotypical European views of the USA, aided and abetted by uber liberals everywhere!
Not long ago, I was treated to an unsolicited 5 minute tirade about “You Americans”, by an outspoken Frenchman and several of his cronies at an international conference in Garching Germany. I already had noted this group verbally mistreating several Russian attendees previously. As this fine example of French elitism ricocheted from one ridiculous assertion to the next, I maintained a placid smile while I considered the oh so French stereotype of “the ugly American”. When he finally ran out of breath, bile, and assinine invective, one of his toadies posited the intellectual retort “What do you say to that?” I offered the following reply with a calm voice, a small smile and humble surety.
“Sir, most of your delusional commentary lacks basis in fact and does not merit the time wasted on deaf ears in refuting it point by point. However, let me offer my personal gratitude to the French for their single most important contribution to the societies of the world. In the future, should the United States of America decide to surrender to anyone for whatever reason imaginable, we will come to the French for advice, because the French really know how to surrender. You have the undying gratitude of all nations of the world, Sir!”
With that, I gave him and his friends my best smile and 15 more seconds of my time, just to see if any of them had a real spine. They did not. But a Brit and an Australian who witnessed the exchange offered “Bloody Good Show, Mate!” and more fine german beer than I could drink that evening, for the previous entertainment. We included the 3 Russians in our celebration tour, as well. Of such moments are fine memories and friendships secured!
Yes, fellow Americans, be kind, courteous and humble to our foreign friends. But you do not have to be apologetic for being an American, especially to those who seek confrontation with defamation and blatant insults. You are a humble but fair American, from the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. Never forget that.
To those who feel that these rude French instigators were treated unfairly by ‘an ugly American’, I offer the Will Smith movie line “Don’t start nothin - Won’t be nothin!.
Invictus Maneo