Big Why of Anti-Americanism (It's the democracy, stupid!)

The Washington Times ^ | October 10, 2004 | Arnold Beichman

[quidnunc]

The biggest yet unspoken reason for the permanent anti-Americanism of West European governments and their elites is this:

Since 1776, the once 13 Colonies have traveled the road of democracy, a form of government we owe to the Greeks, to John Locke, to Montesquieu. And we have never deviated from that course, even in the worst days of the Civil War and President Lincoln's suspension of democratic liberties.

We were not only the first new nation, we were also the first new democratic nation, which allowed in 1800 for a peaceful transfer of power from President John Adams to President-elect Thomas Jefferson as the result of a democratic election.

In fact, with the end of the Civil War we broadened that democracy by enfranchising onetime slaves. And by later granting women's suffrage we doubled the country's potential voters. Despite all kinds of political appeals and third party utopian efforts, we adhered to a democratic faith.

How different is the story for Europe. Tragically for world peace, especially in the 20th century — while we remained true to the democratic course — Europe experimented with all kinds of polities, political creeds as alternatives to democracy. Here's the alphabetical list I've constructed:

Absolutism, anti-Semitism, Caesarism, civil war, class war, clericalism, communism, fascism, falangism, feudalism, hereditary and constitutional monarchies, militarism, Nazism, socialism, united frontism.

-snip-

[Congressman Billybob]

Contrary to the assertion in the article, the US was NOT the first "new democracy." Iceland has lived under an elected parliament for about 700 years, give or take a century. But we are the first to do so under a written Constitution. Poland and France quickly followed our example in constitution writing, but neither of theirs survived long.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, "America Fails the 'Global Test' "

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[Mathlete]

The CIA World Factbook calls us a "Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition"

Their definition of a Democracy is "a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed."

A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.... - Thomas Jefferson.

[libertydave]

We are not a Democracy... The United States of America is a Republic founded under democratic policies.

This is the fundemental teaching of our country and I learned it in the sixth grade.

Let's not forget that our founding fathers thought that the Counstitution in it's completion was not perfect... and to this day it is not perfect, but I would put money down to say that the Greeks would be proud.

This thread starts a discussion on the Constitution but what I find lacking so far in this discussion (and I am not afraid to start it) is why isn't this topic open for debate amongst Bush and Kerry? They both side step the Constitution like it is an intern with Aids...

America's leaders today are trampling over the Constitution and it is a crying shame and I would think that more of the members of the 'Free Republic' would stand up speak against Kerry AND Bush when they misrepresent the oath they took to 'defend the Constitution (not their corporations) of the United States of America'.

I like premise behind FreeRepublic.com, but lately it is not holding up to it's name...

[ProtectOurFreedom]

While this explains why many Europeans hate us, what I don't understand is why so many American leftists harbor such deep loathing and hatred for the U.S. We are the best beacon of hope and freedom for mankind.

[endthematrix]

"Our national labor organizations, the AFL and the CIO and the merged AFL-CIO neither preached nor practiced class warfare nor evidenced any Marxist influence."

Dead wrong today.

US Labor Against the War (USLAW)www.uslaboragainstwar.org

Million Worker March (MWM) ww.millionworkermarch.org

"Come together, sisters and brothers. Let us tap into our great strength - the desire for change and for social justice."

[libertydave]

Do you truly think that? That America is the beacon of hope and freedom for mankind? I disagree. Our founding fathers set our to do something extremely revolutionary, break off from a monarchary and create a republic of their own... If, as you say, America is the beacon of hope and freedom for mankind then America would not have to be fighting other countries civil wars!

We fought our own revolution versus King George of England, yes we got some help from the French but it was late and really not needed. But more importantly common folks left their families and their farms to fight for something they did not know of, FREEDOM. Yet, our current political parties, the Dems and the Reps think that it is only America who can extend freedom across the globe.

Let the countries that want it, fight for it, we did!

Iraq is not fighting for it's own freedom, we are and that is wrong.

So to answer your question, why do so many American leftists harbor such deep loathing and hatred for the U.S.? They don't. The more important question to ask is why do so many countries harbor such deep loathing and hatred for the U.S.? Answer: Because current American political leaders have too many intrests abroad and not enough intrest in the very country in which they took an oath to represent.

[Cacique]

Actually, the oldest republic in the world is San Marino which functioned as such even though surrounded by Fascist Italy during WW II. It also can claim credit to be the only country in the world to freely elect communists to power.

FREEPER (PARodrig) PAUL RODRIGUEZ FOR CONGRESS

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

re·pub·lic

1.
1. A political order whose head of state is not a monarch and in modern times is usually a president.
2. A nation that has such a political order.
2.
1. A political order in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who are entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them.
2. A nation that has such a political order.
3. often Republic A specific republican government of a nation: the Fourth Republic of France.
4. An autonomous or partially autonomous political and territorial unit belonging to a sovereign federation.
5. A group of people working as equals in the same sphere or field: the republic of letters.

[South40]

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
-Benjamin Franklin

[libertydave]

So South40 and Mathlete you have the definitions down, care to expound.

Tell me that today's America fits within those definitions and I will end my argument that America has lost it's sight on what the Constitution is and what representive government is supposed to be all about.

We place so much emphasis on the Presidential election when really the Executive Branch is the least powerful of the 3 branches as defined by the Constitution.

[Mathlete]

It's called the Politics of Envy. When in the presence of a "superior" person (by your definition), you have many strategic options: (1) You can do nothing and accept that you are inferior. This is insignificant to your question, so let's not consider it any further. (2) You can attempt to better yourself so as to surpass or lessen the difference between you and your opponent. This is the American Way! A true capitalist. The total system improves because of fair competition. I can think of no better way to raise an entire system up, than by each individual improving itself. (3) You can attempt to lower your "superior", by killing your opponent, by getting your opponent to slow down, not try as hard, or merely corrupt your opponent. This third way lowers the entire system, but still decreases your relative inferiorness. Sadly, this third strategy is very popular. This third option requires you to "hate".

This explains them -- Al Qaeda et al. They've never really forgiven Western Europe (and now America) from taking the lead technologically, culturally, religiously, economically, and politically. So why do some of "us" hate us? The answer is easy. Because some of us see others of us as superior, and choose option (3). They have not learned that the only way to truly be superior is to stop worrying about where someone else is, and start worrying about where they are.

My advice... Improve yourself! Stop comparing yourself to others. And if you can't resist the urge to compare... then choose option (1).

[libertydave]

By your synopsis, I would gather that you would be for getting out of Iraq now. The very nature that we, America, are there shows that we are superior and therfore they want to "kill" us. They want to kill us there or here which they have successfully done.

Do you think if maybe the U.S. kept to itself for a few years that the the rest of the world that hates may forget about us for a while?

[Outland]

"...why do so many countries harbor such deep loathing and hatred for the U.S.? Answer: Because current American political leaders have too many intrests abroad and not enough intrest in the very country in which they took an oath to represent."

I think it is extremely valid to have interests abroad. We can't become isolated to the point where we stick our heads in the sand and turn away from foreign conflicts that may eventually knock at our door. Pearl Harbor proved that and the events of 9/11 did in other ways as well.

Even if you consider oil as "interests abroad", like it or not, it is necessary since we unfortunately depend on it.

I do, however, agree with the main thrust of your point. We have strayed from the meaning and intent of our Constitution to the point where it is almost an invalid document. Virtually no part of it has been left unviolated and those violations have gone unenforced. To that extent, it is very much like an agreement between parties which has been rendered void through routine breaches and neglect of enforcement.

[swilhelm73]

Poland and France quickly followed our example in constitution writing, but neither of theirs survived long.

IIRC, Poland was a democracy, in the interwar (WWI-WWII) years, but I presume you are talking about sometime before that?

[Mathlete]

Tell me that today's America fits within those definitions and I will end my argument that America has lost it's sight on what the Constitution is and what representive government is supposed to be all about.

Yes, America best fits that definition. However, there's no such thing as a perfect fit, unless it's math of course. But never end your argument! Keep fighting for perfection. There is nothing stable about a Republic, as the Fall of Rome has demonstrated. Left passively, political entropy will surely set in.

We place so much emphasis on the Presidential election when really the Executive Branch is the least powerful of the 3 branches as defined by the Constitution.

Well, I don't personally place that much emphasis on the Executive Branch. I spend far more time reviewing the propositions and legislators (senators and representatives). I love America for the mere fact that of all the countries out there, this is the country least likely to be adversely affected by choosing a bad leader. Perhaps that one of the reasons why many feel it's OK to vote carelessly.

[dasboot]

Yeah. Imagine: Adams , Jefferson and Madison screwin' with Constitutional principles...goin' after the Barbary Pirates! All they did was INCREASE ism. s.

[dasboot]

increase t e r r o r i s m . B a s t a r d s !

Nanny defeat: on

[Mathlete]

I would gather that you would be for getting out of Iraq now.

Never! I'm for staying there in Iraq for the next 1000 years if that's how long it takes for them to stop attacking us. If they never stop attacking us, then we should never leave. 9/11 proved that they will attack us no matter where we are. Better that they attack us there, on Iraqi soil, than here, on American soil. And I will vote for American leaders that share that opinion. At least we get veteran-status troops in the process, and new technologies from the war effort. In addition, ever dollar spent on the military, is one less dollar spent on "saving the rabbits", and other useless largesse.

[libertydave]

I was not once mentioning "oil". Oil is a necessary import, I get that. But George Washington said in his farewell address, and many people like to misquote him on the whole entangling aliances thing, but I like this passage better, "Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this conduct. And can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and at no distant period a great nation to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt that in the course of time and things the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages which might be lost by a steady adherence to it? Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices?"

To me this speaks more to what we are currently dealing with. Let America be America. Let the world be the world. There is no need for our troops to be placed on every corner of the globe just to show them that we are the world's supreme. It's 2004, they already know that. Let us be humble in our greatness and allow other countries to strive upon our past and our now humble present and extraordinary future.