Why do Americans feel little to no social responsibility to the rest of the world?

Question

I mean seriously folks. The term "Ugly American" is around for a reason. Are we so insensitive to the cultures and beliefs (both religious and social) of those naitons around us that we truly *don't care* what the world at large thinks of us?

And if so, wh?

Answer 1

Great question and commentary!

The notion that Global Warming is somehow an America political ruse shows the insular and selfish mentality of the US. Further to that point, I frequently read comments about the US 'owning' the internet! It is appalling!

Often, comments like, "We don't care what the rest of the world thinks" are posted on this forum. And its too bad. We share this planet. And if we were to compare the world to a schoolyard, the US would be the fat kid with rich parents who bullies everyone else and feels as if he can get away with it because his parents have more money than everyone else. Sad...

Answer 2

It's funny. I feel that way about many of the Europeans that blather about how ignorant the Americans are. I myself can honestly say that I have lived in half a dozen countries, speak several languages and I have a firm understanding of many major religions and customs. Listen, all I have to say as far as cultural sensitivity is Jade Goody from the UK.

As far as what others think of America, I truly don't care. However, I am not asking the rest of the world to give a damn about us either.

Our forefathers saw tremendous wisdom in the US being neutral and only become allies with others only out of major necessity on a temporary basis. Too bad we didn't follow their beliefs.

Answer 3

The answers in here are really interesting to say the least. Yes, the rest of the world really does care about what we do and how we think. The old adage goes "When America sneezes the rest of the world catches cold." I've traveled to over 70 countries and have had conversations with many regular ordinary people in those countries. Their lives are very much impacted by anything the United States does. As a so-called Christian nation we have to care about others. If we don't, then we are not very Christian then are we? Some of the answers above show exactly what you are talking about. Think about it, especally you conservative Republicans. The world is not our slaves and their natural resources don't belong to us. If you think that then stop calling yourself Christian. For those that talk about the massive aid we give, it is not so large when compared to some other countries and the resources they have to give from. In percentage of GDP the US is about in 23d place in the amount of money it gives. That like saying a person making $30,000 a year and giving $3,000 to charity is the same as a person making $150,000 a year and giving the same $3,000 to charity. It's not the same at all. Quit fooling yourselves.

Answer 4

Why care? We are the single largest donor nation on earth and we still get sh*t on. Every tin horn dictator and national leader kicks us around as they eat up our hard earned tax dollars. The other countries all have their own agendas, which most times don't coincide with our own, and they vote against us time and again in the UN. Why care what the rest of the world thinks of us? We are the only large western country that will stand against Islamo-fascist tyranny while all the rest (save for Britain) sit on the side, reap the benifits, and complain. Why care? I don't!

Answer 5

When there are disasters in other countries, like earthquakes and tidalwaves where there id a lot of death and destruction,
Americans have been one of the most generous people sending out care packages to those stricken countries. Maybe you're thinking of the government side of America. And personally speaking, I truly don't care what the world at large thinks of us.

Answer 6

No social responsibility? What the heck are you talking about. America is the most generous Nation on the planet of the earth. I don't care if some pompous moron doesn't like me for being American, and I owe them nothing. I got back last month from a 10 day trip to England, mostly the area around London. I wore my American Pride and other t-shirts with reference to America on them while over there. Nobody said a negative thing to me, and I had a great time. Quit believing everything you hear and go experience life outside the U.S. and see for yourself.

Answer 7

They don't seem to like our view of the world, that capitalism is the best form to distribute goods and services.

We, as a nation, need to stop giving funding to other nations, just trade goods. The U. S. gets too involved in interests we should not. That is the problem.

The U.S. just needs to set an example and stop policing the world. If the rest of the world cannot survive, that is life on planet earth, folks. It is not supposed to be nice.

Survival of the fittest, it needs to start happening.

Answer 8

This question ignores the MASSIVE amounts of foreign aid we give every year, and the millions of dollars our citizens sent on their own behalf to tsunami relief. Think the U.N. could stand on it's own without us? It's ignorant to assume a single sided problem. We already to more to feed, water, and industrialize the rest of the world than everyone else put together; and still we're blamed when the rest of the world lags behind. If you offer a homeless guy five dollars, and he takes it; then curses you for not giving him twenty, do you care anymore what he thinks?

Answer 9

Let me the first non-American to answer, the first two are obviously "American", and thankfully don't represent the average America (But they probably are popular in the rest of the trailer park)
They don't know what the rest of the world thinks, its where the word ignorant comes from.
If your a decent person you care what other people think as a measure of who your are as a person, and I think the average America is decent.
Unfortunately they haven't been running the country, Rambo has.

Answer 10

You are correct it is not the rest of the worlds fault they were not born American. We should feel sorry for these third world mongrels. We should at least open a McDonald's in every third world capital.