People vs. Government

[hojozesc]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door Dr. Strangelove

People either know less about the atrocities committed by Putin and the Chinese ruling party than they know about war crimes and other bad things done by the Americans. Or they have higher expectations when it comes to a democratic country like the USA.

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door schaduwrijk

We know the most what the American government does, China and Russia and especially North-Korea have less press-freedom, so we don't know a lot of this countries.

Another reason is that USA fights foreign people and governments, while China and Russia mainly fight their own citizens.

[hojozesc]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door Dr. Strangelove

The result which I find the most fascinating is the huge difference between perception of the American people and the American government. Only 14 % of the respondents have a negative attitude towards the American people, while the American government scores much worse with 75 %. only the North-Korean government has a slightly higher figure with 79%.
This means two things.
1) The accusations of "anti-americanism" are incorrect. There is in fact a general dislike of the America government, inside and outside the USA. American as a people are well loved, generally spoken.
2) People either know less about the atrocities committed by Putin and the Chinese ruling party than they know about war crimes and other bad things done by the Americans. Or they have higher expectations when it comes to a democratic country like the USA.

Great analysis! I agree, that's surprising that American people are so much beloved. I guess that some respondents would change "Positive" or "Negative" to "Neutral" after spending a few years in the US.

[hojozesc]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door eno2

Things get polarised between people and government, for the moment, so it seems...
That's especially true for Americans.

I agree. This also true for many other countries especailly of the former USSR. In my humble opinion, now governments all over the over world are much weaker (at least, in terms of people support) then, let's say, 20 years ago. I am not sure why... Maybe propaganda, doesn't work that well nowadays.

[Tavek]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door hojozesc

Great analysis! I agree, that's surprising that American people are so much beloved. I guess that some respondents would change "Positive" or "Negative" to "Neutral" after spending a few years in the US.

I've spent in total a month in the USA now, and I can say only one thing: The Americans are a nice and friendly kind I found myself very welcome....

Everything goes well, until you reach two very dangerous topics: politics and religion. I have not bothered to argue with them, cause it's their country, and I found it not appropriate. And I was on a US naval base....dont know if its healthy to do that in front of US marines

[hojozesc]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door Heftruck

That conclusion is only logical. The "anti-americanism"-card is usually drawn by someone who's cornered in a discussion. It's his/her only way out, since he/she doesn't have any rational arguments left (if there were any in the first place). And I know this from my own experience. I have often been called an "anti-american", whilst the opposit is true. I'm just very critical (and hateful, yes, I admit...) of the US governement.

The same goes for "patriotism", which is widely abused these days. The only real american patriots, in my opinion, are those who dare criticize the US governement and try to keep them accountable for their actions, however difficult and futile it may be.

The Founding Fathers must be turning over in their grave..

Yes, "patriotism" is a really interesting story!

As by one of the approaches, "patriotism" is defined as "love to own country", while "nationalsim" is "love to own nation". Now, let's substitute "country" with "government" (or better to "power and geopolitics") and then substitute "nation" with "people". Isn't that lovely?

Taking into account our first results for "People vs. Government", this might give a surprising explanation on why governments all over the world suppress "nationalism", but encourage "patriotism" (of course, unless a government is willing to surrender the country's independence in the near future):

Roughly speaking, that would be something like: "Governments: all people on the planet are brothers -- that's why we are supressing nationalism, but... we encourage patriotism so that, when we start a war against a foreign government, our citizens battle bravely against their .... brothers.... from the enemy country!".

By the way, talking of Founding Fathers, I must say they weren't angels at all. I believe some of them were way more cruel than George W.

[eno2]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door hojozesc

I agree. This also true for many other countries especailly of the former USSR. In my humble opinion, now governments all over the over world are much weaker (at least, in terms of people support) then, let's say, 20 years ago. I am not sure why... Maybe propaganda, doesn't work that well nowadays.

Putin is remarkably popular with the Russians, but they don't trust any of the others in government, nor their institutions..

[hojozesc]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door eno2

Putin is remarkably popular with the Russians, but they don't trust any of the others in government, nor their institutions..

I believe that Putin's popularity is a myth. From my interaction with real many people in Russia, I learnt that no more than 20% (most of whom are 40+ women) really support him. Moscow population is representative for the whole Russia.

Putin severely controls ANY influential mass media, so the vast majority of Russian (i.e. those who don't support him) are well convinced that they are "actually" minority. Election fraud helps to build up the myth.

In fact, Putin's popularity dramatically decreased in the second half of 2005, when his administration started repressions against ethnic Russians.

[Gun]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door hojozesc

I believe that Putin's popularity is a myth. From my interaction with real many people in Russia, I learnt that no more than 20% (most of whom are 40+ women) really support him. Moscow population is representative for the whole Russia.

Putin severely controls ANY influential mass media, so the vast majority of Russian (i.e. those who don't support him) are well convinced that they are "actually" minority. Election fraud helps to build up the myth.

In fact, Putin's popularity dramatically decreased in the second half of 2005, when his administration started repressions against ethnic Russians.

Similar to Bus in the US ...

[hojozesc]

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door 2004gun

Similar to Bush in the US ...

I agree

[hojozesc]

except for the fact that Americans know Bush is unpopular, while Russians do not...