Why are Americans, in general, so ignorant about international politics?

Answer 1

because they don't take the time to learn about other countires and what's going on with them. instead they are reading up on the latest celebrity gossip.

Answer 2

Many Americans feel secure in their own little world and avoid outside issues. My elder brother and his wife just told me that had no idea what was really taking place in Vietnam....they were busy raising a family! After billions of dollars and many lives were lost, they have no knowledge of what took place and know very few of the main players during the protracted war. Many people have a mental isolationism...if it doesn't affect me, then the problem doesn't exist! It would be a losing bet than many people could explain the strife in Sri Lanka or why the Dalai Lama was evacuated from Tibet or the scam that was created in the Philippines over the stone-age men called the Tasadays. Many students in school today would be hard pressed to identify the countries of Asia....Sikkim for example and there are just too many -stans to comprehend. It is the fault of education. We glorify ourselves and vaguely mention other countries. You might be pressed to name 20 cities in China, but Chinese know a great deal about our geography and our history and Washington, Lincoln and even Ben Franklin are known for their role in our history. They know as much as many Americans, but they are not alone, Malaysia, Thailand and many others can match or exceed them. Tony Blair was recently here in China and was the guest of an open forum made up of students, teachers, businessmen and government officials (conducted in English) and most of the questions were astute and reflected a grasp of international politics, but some questions were asked in the spirit of fun. Remember more Chinese people speak English than there are people in America...Who is staying in touch?

Answer 3

No matter if we like it or not, they're the most powerful nation (maybe not for much longer, but right now they still are)... and when you have the power, everybody thinks it's all about you, and the brainwashing system they have helps to mantain this situation among American citizens.

I don't blame them, not everybody is THAT interested in politics, as simple as that... maybe if I was an American, I'd be brainwashed too. You must see the other side's prespective before making a judgement.

Answer 4

It's probably because adults, those old enough and sufficiently well educated to understand the subject, are so busy with jobs and the mortgage and unility bills and raising their kids, etc., that they hardly have time to keep up with national and local politics, much less what's happening on the international level.

Answer 5

Why do people like you think you know world politics?
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I only fallow the issues that interest me.
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Oh ya; and if your country has a place in the global economy we might be interested in it. Otherwise we will just send you a few billion dollars and some medication for your sick and if you don't do what is good for us and others; we will send some Cruise Missiles. You see we have it like that because we are hard working people who have built a Military to back our agenda.

Answer 6

Because theyre fed a shallow diet of "American Idol"..and such..instead of someone teaching them any real priorities in life.

it is the same reason that there are so many many that actually eat the food at McDonalds....I doubt folks would if they didnt know what it was...

Answer 7

because we are more isolated as a country and are not as dependant on other contries.

our media usually only covers things happening in america or things in other countries that have to do with the US.

And thirdly we don't know that we are ignorent. we figure we don't even need to know about it because it does not effect us.

Answer 8

Could it be this "We are The Best" mentality?

How many of these people have been anywhere else to intelligently make that statement?

Other Countrys' fans must want to puke when they hear **** like that "all the time."

Answer 9

Because they have no interest in other countries unless those countries can provide America with energy or cheap labour/goods.

Answer 10

We're ignorant because we are so arrogant and believe that "our way is the best way!" Even when we travel to foreign countries we get upset when the locals dont speak English. (HOW ARROGANT IS THAT?)