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Yes, most Americans don't really care very much what the rest of the world thinks about us. We live in a very insular and myopic society in which to most Americans, all that really matters much is America. Most Americans do not speak any foreign languages. Most American news shows and newspapers carry only minimal international news, besides the War on Iraq, terrorism and Bush movements. The vast majority of international news in America is really American news.

What that means is that most Americans do not have much frame of reference for what people in other countries think, need or want. When Americans travel abroad, we rarely go off the beaten path (which definitely tends to be safer in this age). Our concept of the world is limited largely to preconceived notions. America would be better served by much broader exposure to the world at large and its news and that should begin with our schools.

Americans are justifiable proud of our many national accomplishments. In general, that is good, but it is not tempered enough by humility and openness to others. Being too proud is indeed seen as being pompous by many. G.W. Bush is a "cowboy" president who fosters this, with "wild, wild west" ethics. Bush's modus operandi seems to be "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead", regardless of the costs. He is unrepentant for the lack of progress with peace and prosperity in Iraq. W's wars have caused America's reputation to suffer in many countries. The double-speak has caused him to lose credibility abroad as well as at home.

Because we all live in the same world, Americans would be better served by being less cocky and belligerent that the neo-cons advocate. If Americans were viewed as being peacemakers, rather than warmongers, we would have more friends abroad. As it is, Bush's policies have alienated Americans from so many of the world's people and not just in the Middle East. It is high time that America base its foreign policies on principled morals instead of bellicosity and "might makes right". Otherwise, we should not forget this truism: "what goes around, comes around."

We are not an island unto ourselves. We have no choice but to accept global interdependence. We should be much more concerned about how America is viewed abroad in order to foster better relations that are mutually beneficial. When we assume there is only our way to view the world, we cut off the possibility of finding reasonable compromises with other countries. There are inevitably other ways to view issues besides our own and we are strengthened by learning about how others think and why. America should turn away from ideological straight jackets and look for more "win-win solutions" rather than unilaterally insisting on our way, even when it involves the internal affairs of foreign countries. America can afford to be a bit more humble and to learn more from others, instead of assuming that we always have the best answers.

Learn more about this author, Robert C. Sage.
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