The country called the United States of America

With the entire American elite constantly describing America as an idea or a universal project instead of as a country (and how could any normal person love an idea or a universal project?), it is no surprise that people from other countries see America that way as well. A reader from South America expresses her surprise and pleasure on finding out that it’s not true:

My name is Josefina, I’m a history student here in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I have been reading your blog for a while (eight months by now) and find it really interesting. You are the first person that has made me think of the United States as a country in the present day.

It may sound ridiculous, but I used to think Americans considered America not a country (maybe because it lacks of official language and anti-American organizations are allowed within its borders and that kind of thing), but some kind of ideal that anyone could join to. The mere name of the USA makes me think of this also: United States of America, meaning that other states of the continent could join if they wish. And nothing the U.S. governments I’ve seen in my lifetime has make me think I was wrong in my ideas. I just wanted to thank you for making me walk out of that mistake.

The rest of Josefina’s comment (which is about the American race situation) has been posted in the thread, “Radical thoughts on race.” - end of initial entry -

LA wrote to Josefina:

Thank you again for the great comment. What you’re talking about is the essence of what I’m trying to achieve, to wake people up to the fact that we are a country and a people, not just a set of abstractions.

Gintas writes:

“With the entire American elite constantly describing America as an idea or a universal project instead of as a country (and how could any normal person love an idea or a universal project?), it is no surprise that people from other countries see America that way as well.”

And it’s no surprise that Americans see America that way. How do we replace our elites?

Then:

“What you’re talking about is the essence of what I’m trying to achieve, to wake people up to the fact that we are a country and a people, not just a set of abstractions.”

It might be easier to talk a foreigner into this than Americans. So many of us have a vested interest in being deracinated. How many of us would admit, “I should have stayed close to home.” Ah, our economic system… My first job was in Southern California, and it was culture shock for me to find so many people who seemed to have no sense of place or history.

Spencer Warren writes (July 9):

You should be very pleased by the post from the Argentine girl—your influence is world-wide!—and also Hannon’s of today. Early on I wrote that your greatest contribution is focusing on the underlying philosophic assumptions in public discourse.

Posted by Lawrence Auster at July 08, 2008 02:26 PM | Send