Through the magic of Facebook, I often find myself chatting with people in Canada, the UK, and with those in a certain segment of the American Left, who all complain about American "imperialism" (inevitably followed by references to the CIA). What none of them seems to realize is that there is a DEEP strain of isolationism that runs through the "American character", and it makes us both reluctant and inept "imperialists" if that word even applies. Along with that is an aspect of "American exceptionalism" that leads many people who should know better to blindly assume that once others see for themselves how wonderful "democracy" and the American way of life are, they will accept nothing else.
My late dad's favourite cousin married a wonderful man of Serbian extraction named Nick, and he went back to visit in the late 70s, and among other things, visited with an uncle. The old man went on a rant about the ongoing racial problems in the U.S. and chided Nick for our inability to live together in harmony. Trying to show his uncle that it was easier said than done, Nick asked him, "What if a Bosnian moved in next door to you?". Nick's uncle snarled and spit, "Bosnians have fleas!".
You really put your finger on a number of issues here! As you may know, I lived in Europe for most of my adult life. At first, I was taken aback and offended by European criticism, then I got used to it. Whenever I went back to the US, I was struck by the isolationism and presumption that we did everything better (i.e. exceptionalism). I am also fascinated by the former Yugoslavia, indeed a passionately angry Croat was my introduction to the issues of Eastern Europe and the Balkans. We took our kids there very soon after the civil war and discussed it with citizens we met.
Through the magic of Facebook, I often find myself chatting with people in Canada, the UK, and with those in a certain segment of the American Left, who all complain about American "imperialism" (inevitably followed by references to the CIA). What none of them seems to realize is that there is a DEEP strain of isolationism that runs through the "American character", and it makes us both reluctant and inept "imperialists" if that word even applies. Along with that is an aspect of "American exceptionalism" that leads many people who should know better to blindly assume that once others see for themselves how wonderful "democracy" and the American way of life are, they will accept nothing else.
My late dad's favourite cousin married a wonderful man of Serbian extraction named Nick, and he went back to visit in the late 70s, and among other things, visited with an uncle. The old man went on a rant about the ongoing racial problems in the U.S. and chided Nick for our inability to live together in harmony. Trying to show his uncle that it was easier said than done, Nick asked him, "What if a Bosnian moved in next door to you?". Nick's uncle snarled and spit, "Bosnians have fleas!".
You really put your finger on a number of issues here! As you may know, I lived in Europe for most of my adult life. At first, I was taken aback and offended by European criticism, then I got used to it. Whenever I went back to the US, I was struck by the isolationism and presumption that we did everything better (i.e. exceptionalism). I am also fascinated by the former Yugoslavia, indeed a passionately angry Croat was my introduction to the issues of Eastern Europe and the Balkans. We took our kids there very soon after the civil war and discussed it with citizens we met.