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state and are particularly critical of its support for Israel. Pinter (2002) believes that the US's use of military power is arrogant, describing the administration as "a bloodthirsty wild animal. Bombs are its only vocabulary"; such colorful language is to be expected from the world renowned playwright.

While Academics such as Chomsky and Pilger provide specific examples, detailed analysis and justification for their views; it does not prevent critics from dismissing their arguments without actual engagement (Edwards 2001). This is a common reaction to such strong criticism of the US. Lord Robertson, a former UK defence secretary: "Anti-Americanism I see not as a criticism of individual policies or even an individual president. It's a sort of racialist view that the USA is wrong in principle and wrong in practice. (BBC May 2003)."

Chomsky reacts to the charge of anti-Americanism with bemusement: "In the old Soviet Union, dissidents were condemned as "anti-Soviet." That's a natural usage among people with deeply rooted totalitarian instincts, which identify state policy with the society, the people, the culture. In contrast, people with even the slightest concept of democracy treat such notions with ridicule and contempt. Suppose someone in Italy who criticizes Italian state policy were condemned as 'anti-Italian'" (Chomsky 2002). Chomsky, Pinter and Pilger are by no means alone with their criticisms of US hegemony and capitalism; they are joined by other academics and their works are widely read.

America is a symbol of capitalism and globalisation which makes it a big target for those with passionate views on globalisation, poverty and capitalism. One of the fears held is that globalisation will result in a homogenous global American culture which will destroy local culture. Others view globalisation with a more sinister eye, they believe that third world countries are being exploited and kept in poverty by richer countries. The United States is at the front of the World Bank's push for structural adjustment in the third world.

But the impact of globalisation should not be overstated as a cause of anti-American sentiment, mainly because those who oppose globalisation are a clear minority. Ole Holsti (2007, Ch. 5) cites a 2003 Eurobarometer survey: "those with favourable views of globalisation outnumbered those who opposed it by a margin of 63 percent to 29 percent the globalisation thesis would appear better able to explain anti-American views among specific

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