Why should we care what the world thinks of U.S.?

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Permalink Reply by Aaron M. Renn on February 4, 2009 at 8:57am

I think there's a balance to be struck. It's the same with our personal lives. We shouldn't be overly concerned with what others things, but I don't think contempt for the opinion of others is the right answer either.

I do find it curious that those who say we should be concerned with world opinion, however, seem often to believe we have no right to judge other countries' systems, and that other countries shouldn't care much about what we think of them. If they can judge us, why not vice versa? I think concern for the opinion of others in the foreign affairs arena is a smokescreen for domestic issues. Regardless, it's a legitimate debate to be had.

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Permalink Reply by Aaron M. Renn on February 4, 2009 at 8:59am

By the way, I've long said that Indianapolis probably has a stronger international brand than a domestic brand. Unlike most small cities, Indy's got something - the 500 Mile Race - that people around the world has heard of. And auto racing is considered a much more upscale pursuit worldwide than it is domestically.

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Permalink Reply by Kalah Stocker on February 4, 2009 at 8:59am

We should devote much care and concern to what other countires think of the United States because we want our country to always be the 'Go To' Country. Whether it be for advice / how to structure a plan / vacation / send business / turn to for help.
Living in a country as beautiful and free as America, we need to make sure that we are PROUD to live, raise a family, and work here everyday! With this mentality and privileges, we can open our arms to others who would like to live here, send business, or ideas.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Feldman on February 4, 2009 at 9:10am

First, we have to recognize that nothing we do or say as a nation will change the way that some people think about the United States. In countries where the press is contolled by the government, leaders will convey messages to make their citizenry believe anything that they want them to believe. Second, we must convey at all costs that we are a nation committed to protecting its borders and its people abroad. Terrorism in any form will not be tolerated -- and will be met with a swift and powerful response. Third, we must convey that our nation and its freedoms are worth protecting with the blood of its brave men and women who serve our country. Fourth, there is no negotiating with countires and cultures that want to destroy us, because in doing so we would ultimately end up on the losing end of the bargain.

Indiana, as with all states in the US, must be viewed by the world with having the same resolve as previously mentioned. Lest it can become an easy target for terrorism.

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Permalink Reply by Emily Watson on February 4, 2009 at 9:18am

Why should we care? Because we're not a self sufficient, isolated nation. We're a part of the whole world - of humanity - and we need to act like it. Our attitude towards the world directly impacts the world's attitude of us and that branches into numerous places; you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. No one is going to scratch our back if they think we're going to stab them in theirs when we are supposed to be returning the favor.

Forgive the sappy simile, but the world is like a family. All the different countries are just like family members - some are really out there and at odds with the rest of the family, some agree to disagree amicably; some are more parental where some are more like siblings. Just like in a family, when one member's continuous destructive behavior effects the rest of the family, other members have to forcefully step in (war) and sometimes disciplinary action is required (sanctions). Sometimes the family member just needs some rehabilitation (aid). And then there are times when a family members' actions offend part of the family but can't particularly be called "right" or "wrong". When this happens the offended family members will usually voice their concern, but it falls upon deaf ears and when that happens, they give up and just stop being as friendly. Maybe the "offending" member needs a a few bucks for a valid debt but the "offended" family member either denies the request, or begrudgingly agrees, but with strict stipulations. After a while the distance builds and the offending family member becomes isolated and has no one to go to when they need help and is never asked for help when others need it; watching their family struggle because of the ill relationship.

If we don't mend our relationship with the rest of the family, we are going to start feeling pretty lonely and the family will become more divided. We cannot function on our own. We are a country built and populated by the other countries of the world. More so than any other country, we are a melting pot of the world and that in and of itself gives us an obligation to hold the world together. If we drop out of the family, the family will fall apart.

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Permalink Reply by Pauline Moffat on February 4, 2009 at 9:18am

The US does need to pay attention to world opinion. A recent poll taken in Australia indicated that 87% of the population would have voted for President Obama.
Did the US not hear the collective sigh of relief around the world!

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Permalink Reply by MJ Wagner on February 4, 2009 at 9:19am

I echo Aaron. The Indy 500 is know well internationally. Should we care what other countries think of the USA? I look at it this way, should I care what other neighbors think of my family? Should I care what other co-workers think of me? I do. However in any given relationship, it is not much you care, it is how you behave. If I behave like a good neighbor, then I assume to be greeted as neighborly. If I am diligent in my work, then I assume others will acknowledge my labors. I suggest we think globally and act locally.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen James on February 4, 2009 at 9:19am

The Post-American World

The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Hall on February 4, 2009 at 9:30am

A term that has come to the forefront within the last five years or so is the "global economy." This is more than just the state of the U.S. economy compared to China or other European countries. This is a statement on the smaller world that we live in because of the web. Information can travel wherever and whenever and because of this, Americans must be more nimble than ever when it comes to new technologies. So no longer are the residents of Indiana dependent and at the mercy of a GDP or domestic trade, but are impacted through a global network that revolves around the perception of the U.S. around the world.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Wilcox on February 4, 2009 at 9:32am

Our piece of the global economy and the successes of our intellectual resources are at stake if we don't present ourselves positively to other countries, but that shouldn't mean pandering to disreputable and untrustworthy foreign leaders and governments. But we also owe a great deal of money to some of the most egregious human rights violators, so that makes it a necessity to "play nice."

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Permalink Reply by Didier Meyer on February 4, 2009 at 9:41am

The key is LEADERSHIP. What other countries think about the US is extremely valuable as it is the main feed-back loop of how our actions are perceived. This doesn't mean that we should do anything possible so the rest of the world like us, it means we need to consider what we do from different angles. Listening is a necessary quality for a leader. If we want to lead again, and we should, we need to listen and stop thinking we know better.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Martin on February 4, 2009 at 9:55am

Some good points made so far. I'm not sure if I really care what other countries think about the United States as much as I hope there is a certain amount of mutual respect. I can be a good neighbor without validation of your opinion of me. In my mind it's a fine line but a distinction never the less. Having said that with respects to global sentiment, as a good neighbor, if I keep my yard clean I expect the same of you but I won't dictate to you how to do it. I agree with another post with respects to Indiana. We are known world wide for the Indianapolis 500 and racing events. When I worked for TSA at the airport I remember talking to a lot of out of country guest who would not be returning because they felt we were a greedy and gouged with hotel prices. They came because we were the United States but they will not return because we were perceived as greedy in this state.

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