Springtime has sprung in Germany and the students have emerged from hibernation and begun to chat with their neighbors. Last night, a housemate and I engaged in a lovely conversation about American culture. (I am the only American on this floor so I am frequently asked questions about the US). I forget what the exact topic was, but I was trying to say that a policy would have to be implemented throughout the US. However, instead of saying throughout the US, I said, throughout the world.
My housemate heard my Freudian slip and jokingly said "ha, you self-centered Americans, always thinking that the United States is the only nation in the world."
I laughed and said, "Yes, you caught me, but at least I acknowledge that fact."
My friend laughed and said "Yes, there is hope for you yet."
Then we moved on to other topics like quantum theory and health care. (don't ask how we transitioned, just know that we moved off the topic.)
A brief exchange, but in some ways a very important one. Since I've been on this exchange, I've been exposed to a lot of my own prejudices, most importantly my prejudice towards thinking that America is the only country that matters. To be honest, I was suprised that something like the above phrase came out of my mouth. Because I travel so much and have friends all over the world, I consider myself a global citizen before an American citizen. However, my freudian slip revealed that deep down, I really think America should make the decisions for the world.
Its understandable to think this way since this American culture exudes the idea of superiority in everything we watch and read. Take science fiction for example. The most blatant example comes from the original Star Trek series. At the time Star Trek was realized, it was ground breaking for how it included foreign looking (read non-white) people in the show. However, the captain of the ship was an American. Interpretation: Its okay to include the voices of foreigners, but Americans make the final decision.
A counter-argument to this example would be that the show was written by Americans, so of course Americans are in charge. I ask the question, why doesn't anyone question why the Americans are the only leaders. In sci-fi or action movies like Deep Impact or Independence Day, Americans are the ones that make decisions for the entire world yet few people in the US stop to think about why that is so. Granted, if we watched more foreign movies we might see a world not lead by Americans but the fact is that most Americans (and many foreigners even) only watch the American produced movies, so they never see how arrogant our viewpoint really is. We hold deep cultural biases that only Americans should be in power.
One could make the claim that since the US is composed of immigrants from all over the world, it makes sense that America should speak for countries all over the world. A Chinese, Brazilian, German, Ghanian, or Native American makes decisions that aren't just good for their adopted country but good for the world. I have no data to refute that statement, I don't believe that is true. An American is an American who will make decisions that reflect their self-interest. It is possible that an immigrant-American makes decisions that will cause much damage to their former country because that decision will make their lives a lot better in the US.
That is why the above conversation was so interesting. I finally realized that I hold deep biases against non-American leadership. I don't want to live in a universe without American leadership. I feel safe when an American makes the decision to jump to warp 7 or when an American wants to stabilize a worn torn country. At gut level, I still feel indignant when a foreign leader objects to American plans. I am not sure how I would respond to a Chinese-led United Nations or a German led NATO. However, with globalization and the current crisis, it is likely that I may live to see those days. However, if American superiority remains, it will be good to remember that a good idea for America is not necessarily the best idea for the world.
At least I know this fact so there just may be hope for me yet.
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2 comments:
I disagree. See my posting.
Hi Charity, this is Bryce.
There is a reason I why everyone in the world, not just Americans, think Americans are in charge: They are. The real question is why?:
1) The UN is incredibly slow, and often ineffective.
2) Europe is not very cohesive.
3) The other countries are either watching only their neighborhood and self interests, or they are incapable of acting on the world stage.
4) No singly country in the world has even 1/4 as much resources at the US has to act. If you talk about specific domains such as technology or military power, the proportion is smaller still.
I think it's bad that America is the only country whose decision making really matters. And that we should "cede" more power to EU, BRIC, etc.
But, it's hard to imagine in any world like ours, that the other countries could contribute to policy making in a powerful way if they are (1) disorganized and indecisive, (2) don't have the resources necessary to contribute in a tangible way. Its not a matter of will power, it's a matter of the reality of the world. It totological: Powerless countries have no power.
So, my HOPE is that China will grow in power and maturity, and that Europe will become more cohesive. And if those two things happen then the other countries will play a more important role in decision making.
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