14 March 1999            America Abroad

I was reading one of the Austrian weekly magazines today, and was struck by the indepth article on American arrogance.  In the past few months, there have been a number of politic statements and articles, usually centered in France, discussing the need for a European counterbalance to what is perceived in Europe as a strong, arrogant, and insensitive America.  The banana wars are often cited, where France and America are engaged in what is universally viewed as a truly foolish trade battle over whose bananas are allowed into the European market.  Given that Chiquita has, after perseverance, access to 75% of the European market already, the battle over the remaining 25% seems much ado about little.

The real concern, I believe, is over the string of unilateral American military actions in Iraq and Sudan, and the concern that America (as the sole remaining superpower) is unbounded and uncontrolled by any rational international organization.  The years of underfunding the United Nations, the blazing rhetoric from senior American politicians (often quoted here), and the past couple of years of US presidential stagnation leaves the Europeans confused, angry, and clearly feeling under-engaged with their historic partner. 

One point which clearly separates European opinion from American opinion is our tolerance of the death penalty.  Member states of the European Union must constitutionally reject the death penalty - it is a serious topic here, with roots in the post WWII desire to restore moral integrity.  Recently a German was put to death in Arizona, and this was front page news across Europe.  Coming so soon after Italy refused to extradite Abdullah Ocalan to Turkey because he was under the death penalty there, it unfortunately reminded the Europeans how America lectures them with the left hand (the Holocaust, Iraq, terrorism, and the Balkans), but occasionally exibits the same inhuman behaviour the Europeans were punished for in the past.

America cannot afford, financially or politically, to neglect Europe.  The European Market is almost as large as the American market, and is growing both in the sense of political strength and financial impact.  The Euro gives this market a financial coherency it was lacking, and greatly strengthens Europe versus the dollar.  Not a problem today, but viewed as a serious problem within a few years; we ignore and anger these politicians at our risk.

Perhaps even more important, if our hereditary cousins think the U.S. is adrift, and question our motives and ethics, one can imagine the less printable opinions of U.S. actions in the Arab and Asian countries.  Arrogance is only slowly forgotten, and we should not assume international political opinion changes as quickly as Internet technology.  Finally, while national rhetoric may always assume a strident tone from time to time, it must be thought disturbing if anti-American sentiment transfers from the government level to consumers.  At this level, perception IS reality, and the common opinion in the streets today in Europe is that American is acting rashly and thoughtlessly arrogant.  People are wondering what is happening in America.