Joseph Butson

The usual drive by smear job viewpoint on the cbc.ca’s website [Canada’s public broadcaster] from one of Canada’s former ambassadors.

Mr. Ambassador Kinsmen missed an important article in The Chronicle of Higher Education penned by Andrei S. Markovits, Professor of Comparative Politics and German Study at the University of Michigan titled “Why Europe Dislikes America,” adapted from his soon to be published book, “Uncouth Nation.” [ht:sda]

Mr. Markovits opines that the anti-american bias is so deep and pervasive across Europe, particularly its elites, and that it lacks no logical or rational basis.

So, too, does Mr. Kinsmen short essay lack any real insight or explanation of the non-American’s paradoxical love for the American people yet dislike for the current unpopular foreign policies of the Republican administrations.

But the European nationalism did not extend affection to the former neo-liberal administration of President Bill Clinton, who also was ridiculed by the most of Europe even while he intervened somewhat decisively in the Balkan civil wars when Europe failed to act.

Closer to Canada, a rump of Canadians are anti-american in a most illogical fashion. Yet this piece does nothing but illuminate the smugness of Canadian attitudes to America.

At face value, most Canadians know America from what they catch on television or a short trip. I’ve lived in the USA as an ex-pat Canadian for 3 years and am only beginning to comprehend the complex, varied and deeply individualistic culture.

If America is less than a benign super power then it is because it pursues its own interests which is exactly what diplomacy is and it need not apologize for the tender sensibilities of the easily offended anywhere in the world.

Update: 2/20/2007

Please see this recent article excerpted from behind the subscription wall at the Wall Street Journal. Edmund Phelps argues the individualistic nature of US style capitalism militates against the top down state sponsored economies of Europe.

Update: 2/22/2007

Fellow Academic, Jeff Weintraub, reviews Mr. Markovits’  book, “Uncouth Nation” and  raised an interesting  thing or two about  bias and prejudice.